| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Allegorical | characteristics of a writing that employ abstract ideas |
| Alliteration | Successive words or syllables that repeat |
| Ambiguous | A series of words that may be interpreted in more than one way. |
| Analytical | Wording that is separated into parts |
| Aphorism | A concise statement of a truth or principle |
| Biblical | Words or phrases that contain strong biblical references |
| Cacophony | A harsh, unpleasant combination of sounds |
| Cliche | a worn-out idea or overused expression |
| Colloquialism | An expression used in informal conversation |
| Connotation | Implied meaning rather than dictionary meaning |
| Denotation | The literal or dictionary meaning of a word |
| Diction | The choice of words a writer uses |
| Didactic | Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach |
| Emphasis | intensity or forcefulness of expression |
| Euphemism | A more acceptable way of saying something that might be inappropriate |
| Euphony | Pleasing sounds |
| Figurative | Intentional departure from the normal order |
| Formal | Serious speech |
| Idiom | An expression that cannot be translated literally |
| Informal | casual, relaxed |
| Invective | Insulting or abusive language |
| Jargon | Special words or expressions that are used by one group and are hard for others to understand |
| Literal | Taking words in there usual meaning |
| Metaphorical | Something regarded as symbolic of something |
| Monosyllabic | Consisting of one syllable |
| Nostalgic | Longing for the past |
| Onomatopoeia | Words that sound like what they mean |
| Overstated | Exaggerated statements |
| Pedantic | Concerned with minor details and rules |
| polysyllabic | Having more than 1 syllable |
| Prose | The ordinary form of written language |
| Redundant | Repetition of same sense in different words |
| Semantics | What you understand a word, phrase, sentence or text to mean |
| Understated | Expressed in an effective way |
| Verbose | Expressed in more words then needed |
| Vernacular | The dialect spoken by people in a particular region or country |
Combine with other sets
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