| Term | Definition |
|---|
| abstract | Refers to language that describes concepts |
| ad hominem argument | Logical fallacy attacking the person, not the issue |
| adjective clause | The boy WHO LIVES NEXT DOOR is my friend. |
| adverb clause | AFTER WE ATE DINNER, we fell asleep on the couch. |
| allegory | A story that represents an abstract idea or concept |
| alliteration | The repetition of initial consonant sounds |
| antecedent | The noun to which a pronoun refers |
| allusion | A reference to history, Bible, mythology |
| analogy | The comparison between two different items |
| anecdote | A story or brief episode to illustrate a point |
| antecedent | The word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers |
| antithesis | Two contrasting images, such as "to be or not to be" |
| appositive | Group of words that rename the noun |
| archetype | A stereotype of essential qualities, i.e. hero, villan |
| balanced sentence | Sentence with primary info with parallel elements |
| begging the question | Logical fallacy that creates circular thinking |
| cacophony | Harsh, discordant sounds in a line or passage |
| cliche | Phrase that is overused and trite |
| colloquial | Common language, informal spoken language |
| comic relief | Humor to contrast with the tragic elements in a work |
| complex sentence | Sentence with 1 independent and 1 or more dependent clause |
| compound sentence | Sentence with 2 or more independent clauses |
| compound-complex sentence | Sentence with 2 or more independent and at least 1 dependent clause |
| conceit | Witty metaphor comparing 2 very different items |
| connective tissue | The elements that create coherence in a written piece |
| connotation | The interpretive level of a word based on associations |
| consonance | Repetition of consonant sounds with in words |
| conundrum | A riddle turning on a play of words or a pun |
| cumulative sentence | Sentence with main clause with modifying info before and after |
| deduction | Reasoning from general to specific |
| denotation | The literal or dictionary meaning of a word |
| determinism | Belief that actions are not controlled by free will |
| diatribe | A bitter or abusive criticism |
| dialect | The recreation of regional spoken language |
| diction | The author's choice of words |
| didactic tone | A preachy, moralistic tone |
| elegy | A written piece in honor of someone who had died |
| ellipsis | A series of three period meaning material has been omitted |
| epic simile | An elaborate, ornate comparison |
| epigraph | Use of a quotation at the start of a work that hints at theme |
| epiphany | A sudden insight or awareness |
| epistolary novel | A story constructed by a series of letters |
| epithet | A word or phrase used in place of a person's name |
| eulogy | A speech about someone who has died |
| euphemism | Using an inoffensive word to describe something unpleasant |
| euphony | Pleasant sounding |
| exposition | explanatory prose |
| extended metaphor | A sustained comparison, often a conceit |
| figurative language | Devices that operate on levels other than literal |
| gerund | Verb ending in ing that pretends to be a noun |
| hackneyed | Overused |
| hyperbole | Figure of speech with exaggeration, "cried a river" |
| imagery | The total effect of related sensory images |
| induction | Organization that moves form specific to general |
| inference | Deriving a conclusion from reasoning |
| infinitive | A verb with to in front that pretends to be noun |
| invective | A violent verbal attack |
| irony | Words or ideas are opposite of what is expected |
| jargon | Language specific to a trade, profession, activity |
| litany | A repetitive recitation or listing |
| litotes | Understatement-- stating negation of what's intended |
| logical fallacy | A mistake in reasoning |
| loose sentence | Sentence with main clause and info at the beginning |
| metaphor | A direct comparison between dissimilar things |
| metonymy | Figure of speech-- a part of a thing that suggests a whole |
| motif | An often repeated theme or idea in a novel |
| muckraking | Publicizing real or alleged corruption |
| noun clause | WHAT I BELIEVE is none of your business |
| onomatopoeia | Use of word so that the sound suggests its meaning |
| oxymoron | Combo of contradictory terms |
| parable | Story on more than one level-- teaches a moral lesson |
| paradox | A statement seemingly contrary but may be true |
| parallelism | Using a series of sentence elements with similar form |
| parenthetical remark | Extra info interjected to qualify/explain a statement |
| parody | Imitating someone's style in a ridiculing manner |
| participial phrase | RUNNING INTO THE ROOM, I fell over the teacher's feet. |
| participle | Verb ending in ing of ed that pretends to be an adjective |
| pathos | The aspects of a literary work that elicit pity |
| pathetic fallacy | overdone personification |
| pedantic | Term used to describe writing that borders on lecturing |
| pejorative diction | Language dominated by negative words |
| periodic sentence | Sentence containing main clause or emphasis at end |
| personification | The assigning of human qualities to inanimate objects |
| polysyntedon | The use of conjunctions in close succession |
| purple patch | Overly descriptive writing |
| red herring | Logical fallacy-- detracts from the issue |
| rhetoric | The process of written communication |
| rhetorical question | An explicit answer is not expected |
| satire | Ridiculing people/ideas with intent of creating change |
| simile | Using like or as to compare two things |
| simple sentence | A sentence with 1 dependent clause and modifiers |
| syllogistic reasoning | The process used as the basis of deductive thinking |
| syllogism | The format of a formal deductive argument |
| synecdoche | Form of metaphor-- part to indicate the whole |
| syntax | Sentence structure |
| theme | The underlying ideas the author illustrates |
| thesis | The main idea of a piece of writing |
| tone | The author's attitude toward the subject |
| transition | A word or phrase that links one idea to the next |
| understatement | Form of irony when something is intentionally downplayed |
| vitriolic | Extremely bitter, sharp words |
| voice | The total sound of a writer's style OR active/passive voice |
Combine with other sets
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace