phrasing
How sentences flow
Phrasing is the way something is expressed in words—the particular arrangement and choice of language: The phrasing of the contract left room for interpretation.
In music, phrasing refers to how a performer shapes melodic lines, grouping notes and managing breath or bowing to create musical sentences.
A comedian's timing depends on phrasing as much as content.
Clear vocal expression
- intonationPitch variation in speech
- inflectionWord form alteration
- dictionChoice of words
- enunciationClarity of spoken words
pronunciation · emphasis · delivery · modulation · tone · accent · utterance · vocalization
Choice of words
- word choiceSelection of vocabulary
- terminologySubject-specific vocabulary
- vocabularyOne's word collection
- languageSystem of symbolic communication
expression · verbiage · formulation · locution · idiom · usage · parlance · nomenclature
Patterned stress and silence
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- tempoRate of musical performance
- paceSpeed of movement
- timingArt of choosing moments
beat · meter · pulse · lilt · swing · measure · syncopation · stress
Unbroken musical phrasing
- staccatoShort, separated note style
- articulationClear vocal expression
- dynamicsStudy of forces
- bowingBending forward in deference
breath · slur · attack · interpretation · expression · rubato · accents · fermata
Complete thought, grammatically
- clauseProvision in agreement
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
- constructionProcess of building something
- grammarLanguage's structural rules
word order · parsing · arrangement · composition · formation · organization · sequencing · punctuation
Repeated opening words
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- chiasmusInverted parallel construction
- parallelismMatching structural elements
- repetitionAct of redoing
contrast · emphasis · balance · inversion · euphemism · understatement · hyperbole · irony
Express clearly, or well-spoken
- fluentSpeaking smoothly, effortlessly
- eloquentFluent and persuasive
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- gracefulElegant in movement
elegant · polished · refined · well-spoken · silver-tongued · persuasive · vivid · lucid
articulation
Clear vocal expression
- intonationPitch variation in speech
- inflectionWord form alteration
- dictionChoice of words
enunciation · pronunciation · emphasis · delivery · modulation · tone · accent · utterance · vocalization · voice
diction
Choice of words
- word choiceSelection of vocabulary
- terminologySubject-specific vocabulary
- vocabularyOne's word collection
language · expression · verbiage · formulation · locution · idiom · usage · parlance · nomenclature · lexical
rhythm
Patterned stress and silence
timing · beat · meter · pulse · lilt · swing · measure · syncopation · stress · accentuation
legato
Unbroken musical phrasing
- staccatoShort, separated note style
- articulationClear vocal expression
- dynamicsStudy of forces
bowing · breath · slur · attack · interpretation · expression · rubato · accents · fermata · ornaments
sentence
Complete thought, grammatically
- clauseProvision in agreement
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
- constructionProcess of building something
grammar · word order · parsing · arrangement · composition · formation · organization · sequencing · punctuation · subordination
anaphora
Repeated opening words
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- chiasmusInverted parallel construction
- parallelismMatching structural elements
repetition · contrast · emphasis · balance · inversion · euphemism · understatement · hyperbole · irony · metaphor
articulate
Express clearly, or well-spoken
- fluentSpeaking smoothly, effortlessly
- eloquentFluent and persuasive
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
graceful · elegant · polished · refined · well-spoken · silver-tongued · persuasive · vivid · lucid · cogent
- music cognitionpitch recognition, consonance, dissonance, absolute pitch, perfect pitch
- languagelanguage, word, words, grammar, spelling
- musicmusic, song, songs, singing, singer
- speechspeech, speaking, talk, diction, conversation
- expressionexpress, convey, communicate, verbal, nonverbal
- songwritinglyrics, verse, verse-chorus, refrain, song structure
phrasingsilence
Total lack of sound
wordlessness · inarticulateness · muteness · inarticulacy · speechlessness
- awkward phrasingInelegant language construction
- musical phrasingExpressive grouping of notes