| Term | Definition |
|---|
| allusion | a passing or causal reference to a person, place, idea |
| denotation | dictionary meaning of a word |
| diction | style of speaking or writing as dependent upon a choice of words |
| tone | any sound considered with reference to its quality, strength, pitch, or source |
| colloquialism | expression not used in formal writing |
| euphemism | the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, blunt |
| oxymoron | a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemily self-contradictory effect, as in "cruel kindness" or "to make haste slowly" |
| personification | giving non-human things human-like qualities |
| anaphora | repetition of a word or words at the beginning of two or more successive verses, clauses, or sentences |
| invective | venement or violent enunciation, censure or reproach |
| paradox | statement or proposion that seems self-contradictory or asurd but in reality expresses possible truth |
| parody | a humorous imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing |
| aphorism | terse saying embodying a general truth |
| hyperbole | obvious and intentional exaggeration |
| apostrophe | addressing something |
| metonymy | figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object of concept for that of another to which it is related |
| didactic | teaches a moral lesson |
| genre | category of works (short story, fiction, non-fiction) |
| otomatopoeia | formation of a word, by imitation of a sound made by it (buzz, bang) |
| litotes | understatement in which is expressed by the negative of its contrary |
| connotation | thoughts, feelings, or emotions that a word evokes |
Combine with other sets
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace