Buzzword is a literary device, which is often used in contemporary writing. These words have been repeatedly employed in a text to convey a specific meaning. Buzzwords create a tone and emphasize a point in the work. In the article, we will explore common examples of buzzword, their importance and use in the literature.
Common Examples of Buzzword
- ‘Game changer’: It is often used to describe something that has a significant impact on a particular field and situation. Example: “The new smartphone is a game changer in the technology industry.”
- ‘Innovative’: This word is employed to express something that is original and creative. Example: “The new product is incredibly innovative and has revolutionized the market.”
- ‘Disruptive’: It narrates something that challenges the status quo and causes a significant impact. Example: “The political scandal was a disruptive force that rocked the entire country.”
- ‘Exciting’: The word is set out to tell something that is thrilling and energetic. Example: “The new concert was exciting and left the audience in a frenzy.”
- ‘Next big thing’: Used to describe something that is expected to be very successful or popular. Example: “The new startup is the next big thing in the tech industry.”
Importance of Buzzword
- Creates Impact: Buzzword creates impact while repeating the words or phrases. These repeating words emphasize the significance and convey the intended message. In this high time when attention spans are short, these words help to grab and hold the attention of the readers.
- Sets Tone: To set the tone of a piece of writing, the buzzword is very helpful. The author by using these words can create a particular atmosphere or mood, such as excitement, nostalgia or irony.
- Develops Theme: It is employed in the text to develop a theme or idea. The buzzword is helpful to create a sense of continuity and coherence while associating with a particular theme.
- Enhances Clarity: The writer uses the buzzword to provide a clear and concise way to express the complex ideas. It is a hint by the writer towards his readers for understanding difficult concepts or ideas.
- Creates Memorability: The buzzword create memorability that are catchy or memorable. It is helpful in making the piece of writing more memorable. It also increases its impact on the readers.
- Builds Authenticity: The buzzword builds authenticity with regard to some particular subject, culture and time period. These words create a sense of realism and authenticity in a text.
- Facilitates Emotional Connection: Repetition of words or phrases create an emotional connection with readers while evoking certain feelings or emotions. Through repetition, an author is able to increase the impact of their writing and create a deeper emotional connection with their readers.
- Enhances Readability: The repetition of word enhances readability and creates a sense of rhythm or cadence. This can make a piece of writing more enjoyable and easier to read.
Examples in literature
Following are the examples of buzzword in literature :-
1- “Fight Club” by Chuck Palahniuk
“The project was a way for the protagonist to cope with the monotony of modern life”
Here, the buzzword ‘project’ has been repeatedly used to describe the underground fighting club of the protagonist. The writer while repeating this word creates a sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding the club. He emphasizes its importance to the protagonist’s psyche.
2- “Beloved” by Toni Morrison
“Her mouth was closed, her voice was stolen, her words were silenced.”
In the aforesaid line, the buzzword ‘mouth’ has been employed repeatedly to describe the inability of the characters to speak. The writer while repeating this word creates a sense of powerlessness and oppression. The writer highlights the theme of silence as a means of survival.
3- “Harry Potter” by J.K. Rowling
“The magic of the wizarding world was a source of endless fascination for Harry”
In the context, the buzzword ‘magic’ is used to describe the supernatural powers that the characters possess. The author creates a sense of wonder and excitement. She stresses the idea that magic is a fundamental aspect of the wizarding world.
4- “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
“I took the way no one takes / It isn’t easy toIds.”
In the above context, the word ‘way’ highlights the regret of the and longing for a different path in life.
5- “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“The green light across the water symbolized the elusive American Dream.”
Here, the buzzword ‘green’ is used to denote the color of the wealthy elite’s prized possessions including luxurious homes and expensive cars. Fitzgerald emphasizes the superficiality and materialism of the wealthy characters.
6- “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
“The yellow wallpaper was a sickness in my soul.”
The ‘yellow’ buzzword has been used to emphasize the protagonist’s growing obsession with the wallpaper in her room. While repeating the word, Gilman creates a sense of madness and fixation.
7- “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
“To be or not to be, that is the question.”
The buzzword ‘to be or not to be’ is used to convey the existential crisis and his struggle of the protagonist with the meaning of life and the death. Shakespeare highlights the central themes of the play and the tortured thoughts of the protagonist.
8- “1984” by George Orwell
“The Party collapsed under the weight of its own doublethink.”
The buzzword ‘doublethink’ is to describe the totalitarian regime’s manipulation of language and reality. Orwell emphasizes the power of language to shape the minds of the population and undermine critical thinking.
9- “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot
“I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.”
In the above line, the buzzword “I” has been employed throughout the poem to emphasize the introspection and self awareness of the protagonist . Eliot creates a sense of introspection and meditation on the part of the protagonist.
10- “The Handmaid Tale” by Margaret Atwood
“The Handmaids were forced to service the Commanders once a week.”
Here, the buzzword “week” describes the oppressive regime’s control over women’s bodies and lives. Atwood highlights the regime’s Orwellian tactics and the women’s resistance to their oppression.
11- “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot
“Shantih shantih shantih.”
The “shantih” is a buzzword, which the writer uses throughout the poem to create a sense of spiritual longing and search for meaning. Eliot evokes a sense of eastern influenced mysticism and the search for transcendence while using this repetition.
Buzzword Examples in Movies
1- “The Dark Knight” (2008)
In the movie, the Joker uses the term ‘riddles’ to denotes his twisted puzzles and challenges. The term is repeated throughout the movie to emphasize the Joker’s cunning and intelligence. In the context of the Joker’s challenges, it suggests that he is presenting the Batman with difficult moral dilemmas rather than simple puzzles.
2- “Avatar” (2009)
The term ‘Na’vi’ is repeated in the movie to refer to the native inhabitants of Pandora. This repetition creates a sense of otherness and highlights the connection between the Na’vi and their environment.”
3- “The Social Network” (2010)
In this biographical drama, the character Mark Zuckerberg uses the term ‘Harvard’ to refer to the prestigious university he attends. The term is repeated throughout the movie to emphasize the idea that Zuckerberg is a smart and intelligent individual.
Read also: Literary Devices That Start with B
Other Related Literary Techniques of Buzzword
1- Alliteration
Alliteration is a literary technique, which is used to create a specific sound or rhythm in writing. This device is often involved the repetition of initial consonant sounds. On the other hand, buzzword is used to describe a catchy phrase or slogan that is often used in marketing and advertising. It evokes the particular emotion and idea. In both devices, repetition is involved, however their purpose and context are different. Alliteration is typically used in creative writing while buzzword is commonly used in marketing. Additionally, alliteration requires a setup phrase to create the desired alliteration while buzzword is often used as a standalone term.
2- Hyperbole
Buzzword is used to repeat a specific word or phrase. It conveys a certain idea or mood. Hyperbole is similar, however it involves repetition of words to create a dramatic or exaggerated effect. Both the devices are used to draw attention to a particular idea. These techniques are used in different contexts. As mentioned earlier, the buzzword is often used in marketing and advertising while hyperbole is more commonly used in creative writing to add emphasis.
3- Symbolism
Unlike buzzword, the symbolism is used to convey a deeper meaning through the repetition of a symbol or image. The literary technique of buzzword is employed to create a memorable phrase while symbolism is used to produce a more subtle and complex effect. However, the main difference between these two devices is that, buzzword is commonly used in marketing while symbolism is used in literary works to add depth and complexity.
