1. a literary device
Litotes

2. Definition
Litotes is a literary device that uses negatives to express a positive idea.

3. Purpose of Litotes
Litotes are a discreet way of saying something unpleasant without directly using negativity. Sometimes called an ironic understatement - an avoidance of a truth which can be either positive or negative.

4. Examples of Litotes
She is not unlike her mother.

5. Your room is not unclean.
Examples of Litotes
Your room is not unclean.

6. Examples of Litotes
He is not the cleverest person I have ever met.

7. Effect of Litotes
Interestingly, the use of understatement adds emphasis to the ideas rather than decreases their importance. This is due to the ironical effect produced by the understatement.

8. Effect of Litotes
To ignore an object and still talk about it in a negative way is the best way to make it appear important and prominent.
Even though she carried a knife,
he thought it was not important.

9. Identify & Analyze Litotes
In chapter 23 of Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe repeatedly uses litotes.
Identify where he uses litotes.
Analyze the effect of these litotes.