Introduction

Elision is a literary device that involves the omission of one or more sounds or syllables in a word, often to maintain a consistent meter or rhythm in poetry and prose. This technique is used to create a smoother, more fluid sound or to preserve the metrical structure of a line. Elision can also reflect natural speech patterns, making dialogue and narration more realistic.

Pronunciation

ih-LIH-zhuhn

How Writers Use Elision

Writers use elision to:

• Maintain Rhythm: Ensure the consistency of a poem’s meter or the flow of prose.
• Create Smoothness: Make language sound more fluid and natural.
• Reflect Speech Patterns: Mimic the way people speak in everyday conversation.
• Add Poetic Quality: Enhance the musicality and aesthetics of the text.
• Convey Informality: Indicate casual or colloquial speech.

Types of Elision

Type	Description	Example
Contraction	Combining two words by omitting certain letters.	“Don’t” instead of “do not”
Apheresis	Omitting a sound or syllable at the beginning of a word.	“’tis” instead of “it is”
Syncope	Omitting sounds or syllables from the middle of a word.	“ne’er” instead of “never”
Apocope	Omitting a sound or syllable at the end of a word.	“tho’” instead of “though”
Prodelision	Omitting a vowel at the beginning of a word when the previous word ends in a vowel.	“th’ unholy” instead of “the unholy”

Rules of Elision

Rule	Description
Contextual Appropriateness	Use elision where it fits the context and enhances the text.
Consistency	Maintain consistency in the use of elision throughout the text.
Rhythmic Integrity	Ensure elision supports the rhythm and meter of the poem or prose.
Clarity	Avoid excessive elision that could confuse the reader.
Natural Flow	Use elision to reflect natural speech patterns and make dialogue more realistic.

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Examples of Elision in Different Media

Elision in Literature

Title	Author	Example
Hamlet	William Shakespeare	“To be, or not to be, that is th’ question.”
The Canterbury Tales	Geoffrey Chaucer	“Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote”
The Waste Land	T.S. Eliot	“April is the cruellest month, breeding”

Elision in Children’s Books

| Title | Author | Example |
| Green Eggs and Ham | Dr. Seuss | “I do not like them, Sam-I-am.” |
| The Cat in the Hat | Dr. Seuss | “The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play.” |
| Winnie-the-Pooh | A.A. Milne | “It’s a fine day for a stroll.” |

Elision in Poetry

| Poem | Poet | Example |
| Ode to a Nightingale | John Keats | “Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird!” |
| The Raven | Edgar Allan Poe | “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,” |
| To His Coy Mistress | Andrew Marvell | “Had we but world enough, and time,” |

Elision in Songs

| Song | Artist | Example |
| Yesterday | The Beatles | “All my troubles seemed so far away.” |
| Ain’t No Sunshine | Bill Withers | “Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone.” |
| Firework | Katy Perry | “Do you ever feel like a plastic bag” |

Elision in Movies

| Movie | Scene | Example |
| The Princess Bride | Vizzini’s speech | “Inconceivable!” |
| Forrest Gump | Forrest’s dialogue | “Life is like a box of chocolates.” |
| The Wizard of Oz | Dorothy’s dialogue | “There’s no place like home.” |

YouTube Links:

1. The Princess Bride – Vizzini’s speech
2. Forrest Gump – Forrest’s dialogue
3. The Wizard of Oz – Dorothy’s dialogue

Elision in Advertising

| Advertisement | Company | Example |
| I’m Lovin’ It | McDonald’s | “I’m lovin’ it.” |
| Just Do It | Nike | “Don’t wait. Just do it.” |
| Think Different | Apple | “Think different.” |

YouTube Links:

1. McDonald’s – I’m Lovin’ It
2. Nike – Just Do It
3. Apple – Think Different

FAQs about Elision

What is elision in literature?

Elision in literature is the omission of one or more sounds or syllables in a word to maintain rhythm or meter.

How does elision differ from contraction?

Elision can involve omitting sounds or syllables from any part of a word, while contraction specifically combines two words by omitting certain letters.

Can elision be used in all types of writing?

Elision is commonly used in poetry and prose to create smoothness and maintain rhythm, but it can also appear in dialogue to reflect natural speech patterns.

Why is elision important in writing?

Elision is important because it helps maintain the rhythm and flow of language, making it sound more natural and fluid.

Related Devices

Contraction

Combining two words by omitting certain letters, often marked by an apostrophe (e.g., “don’t” for “do not”).

Apheresis

The omission of a sound or syllable at the beginning of a word (e.g., “’tis” for “it is”).

Syncope

The omission of sounds or syllables from the middle of a word (e.g., “ne’er” for “never”).

Apocope

The omission of a sound or syllable at the end of a word (e.g., “tho’” for “though”).

Prodelision

Omitting a vowel at the beginning of a word when the previous word ends in a vowel (e.g., “th’ unholy” for “the unholy”).