Asyndeton: GCSE English Definition
Contents
What is asyndeton?
In GCSE English Literature and GCSE English Language, asyndeton is a literary device in which conjunctions, such as “and”, “but” and “or”, are intentionally left out of a sentence.
Why do writers use asyndeton?
Asyndeton is used by writers to add emphasis or to change the pace or tone of their writing. It can be used in speeches to make them more dramatic and memorable or in fiction to build tension and drama. It can also be used to mimic realistic dialogue or the different dialects of characters, because asyndeton is a common feature of everyday speech.
Examples of asyndeton
Probably the most famous example of asyndeton is by Julius Caesar in the phrase “Veni, Vidi, Vici”, which translates to:
“I came, I saw, I conquered.”
In modern literature, a good example comes from William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, in which asyndeton is used to highlight how unexpected isolation can lead to feelings of disconnection and disjointedness:
“We saw no houses, no smoke, no footprints, no boats, no people.”
Revision resources to ace your exams
Learn how to analyse asyndeton in literary texts and how to use this technique in your own English Language writing with our GCSE revision notes.
GCSE English Literature Revision Notes
GCSE English Language Revision Notes
For more literary techniques, check out our list of 127 top literary devices, complete with student-friendly definitions.
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Written by Deb Orrock
English Content Creator18 articlesDeb is a graduate of Lancaster University and The University of Wolverhampton. After some time travelling and a successful career in the travel industry, she re-trained in education, specialising in literacy. She has over 16 years’ experience of working in education, teaching English Literature, English Language, Functional Skills English, ESOL and on Access to HE courses. She has also held curriculum and quality manager roles, and worked with organisations on embedding literacy and numeracy into vocational curriculums. She most recently managed a post-16 English curriculum as well as writing educational content and resources.
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