Asyndeton: GCSE English Definition

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.