| Term | Definition |
|---|
| alliteration | repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of consecutive words or syllables |
| allusion | indirect reference to another text or historic event |
| analogy | an extended comparison between two seemingly disimilar things |
| anecdote | a short account of an interesting event |
| annotation | explanatory or critical notes added to a text |
| antecedent | the noun to which a later pronoun refers |
| antithesis | parallel structure that juxtaposes contrasting ideas |
| aphorism | a short, astute statement of a general truth |
| connotation | that which is implied by a word, as opposed to the word's literal meaning (see denotation) |
| denotation | the literal meaning of a word; its dicitionary definition |
| diction | word choice |
| epigram | a brief witty statement |
| figurative language | the use of tropes or figures of speech; going beyond literal meaning to achieve literary effect |
| figure of speech | an expression that strives for literary effect rather than conveying a literal meaning |
| hyperbole | exaggeration for the purpose of emphasis |
| irony | a contradition between what is said and what is meant; incongruity between action and results |
| metaphor | a figure of speech or trope through which one thing is spoken of as though it were something else, thus making an implicit comparison |
| metonymy | use of an aspect of something to represent the whole |
| omniscient narrator | an all-knowing, usually third-person narrator |
| oxymoron | a figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms |
| paradox | a statement that seems contradicotry but is actually true |
| parody | a piece that imitates and exaggerates the prominent features of another; used for comic effect or ridicule |
| pathos | a Greek term that refers to suffering but has come to be associated with broader appeals to emotion; one of Aristotle's three rhetorical appeals (see ethos and logos) |
| periodic sentence | a sentence that builds towards, and ends with the main clause |
| persona | the speaker, voice, or character assumed by the author of a piece of writing |
| personification | assigning human characteristics to inanimate objects |
| rhetoric | the study of effective, persuasive language use; according to Aristotle, use of the "available means of persuasion" |
| rhetorical mode | patterns of organization developed to achieve a specific purpose; modes include but are not limited to narration, description, comparision and contrast, cause and effect, definition, exemplificaiton, classifcation and division, process analysis, and argumentation |
| rhetorical question | a question asked more to produce an effect than to summon an answer |
| satire | an ironic, sarcastic, or witty composition that claims to argue for something, but actually argues against it |
| simile | a figure of speech that uses "like" or "as" to compare two things |
| style | the distinctive quality of speech or writing created by the selection and arrangement of works and figures of speech |
| syllogism | a form of deductive reasoning in which the conclusion is supported by a major and minor premise |
| syntax | sentence structure |
| thesis | the central idea in a work to which all parts of the work refer |
| tone | the speaker's attitude toward the subject or audience |
| trope | artful diction; the use of language in a nonliteral way; also called a figure of speech |
| understatement | lack of emphasis in a statement or point; restraint in language often used for ironic effect |
| point of view | any of several possible vantage points; omniscient, limited to that of a single character, and limited to that of several characters |
| setting | the background to a story |
| theme | the main thought expressed by a work |
| allegory | a story in which people, things and events have another meaning |
| ambiguity | a vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings or interpretations |
| digression | the use of material unrelated to the subject of a work |
| euphemism | a figure of speech using indirection to avoid offensive bluntness |
| parable | a story designed to suggest a principle, illustrate a moral, or answer a question |
| onomatopoeia | the use of words whose tone suggests their meaning |
| clause | a group of words containing a subject and its verb that may or may not be a complete sentence |
| ellipsis | the omission of a word or several words necessary for a complete construction that is still understandable |
| parallel structure | a similar grammatical structure within a sentence or within a paragraph |
| abstract | an abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research |
| ad hominem | directed to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellet or reason |
| adage | a saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language |
| anachronism | a person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era |
| antagonist | a character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist, produces tension or conflict |
| Apollonian | in contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualties of human nature and behavior |
| apostrophe | a locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present |
| arch | characterized by clever or sly humor, often saucy, playful and somewhat irreverent |
| archetype | an abstract or ideal conception of a type |
| assonance | the repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words in prose or poetry |
| bard | a poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment |
| bathos | insincere or overdone sentimentality |
| belle-lettres | a French term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general |
| bibliography | a list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a particular subject |
| bombast | inflated, pretentious language |
| burlesque | a work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation |
| cacophony | grating, inharmonious sounds |
| canon | the considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied |
| caricature | a grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things |
| carpe diem | literally, "seize the day" |
| circumlocution | literally, "talking around" a subject |
| classic | a highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time |
| classical, classicism | deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture |
| climax | the high point, or turning point, of a story or play |
| comparision and contrast | a mode of discourse in which two or more things are compared and contrasted |
| conceit | a witty or ingenious thought |
| concrete detail | a highly specific, particular, often real, actual or tangible detail; opposite of abstract |
| consonance | the repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a unit of speech or writing |
| critique | an analysis or assessment of a thing or situation for the purpose of determining its nature, its limitations, and its conformity to a set of standards |
| cynic | one who expects and observes nothing but the worst of human conduct |
| deductive reasoning | a method of reasoning by which specific definitions, conclusions, and theorems are drawn from general principals |
| de'nouement | the resolution that occurs at the end of a narrative or drama, real or imagined |
| descriptive detail | graphic, exact, and accurate presentation of the characteristics of a person, place or thing |
| deus ex machina | in literature, the use of an artifical device or gimmick to solve a problem |
| didactic | having an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner |
| Dionysian | as distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses |
| dramatic irony | a circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character |
| elegy | a poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of someone of something of value |
| elliptical construction | a sentence containing a deliberate omission of words |
| empathy | a feeling of association or identification with an object or person |
| epic | a narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero |
| euphony | pleasing, harmonious sounds |
| epithet | an adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality or a person or thing |
| eponymous | a term for the title character of a work of literature |
| exegesis | a detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of prose or poetry |
| expose | a piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings |
| exposition | the background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of an essay or other work |
| explication | the interpretation or analysis of a text |
| extended metaphor | a series of comparisons between two unlike objects |
| fable | a short tale often with nonhuman chacters from which a useful lesson may be drawn |
| fallacy, fallacious reasoning | an incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information |
| fantasy | a story containing unreal, imaginary features |
| farce | a comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose |
| frame | a structure that provides a premise or setting for a narrative or other discourse |
| genre | a term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay |
| harangue | a forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade |
| homily | a lecture or sermon on a religious or moral theme meant to guide human behavior |
| hubris | excessive pride that often affects tone |
| humanism | a belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity |
| idyll | a lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place |
| indirect quotation | a rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased |
| inductive reasoning | a method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization |
| inference | a conclusion or proposition arrived at by considering facts, observations, or some other specific data |
| invective | a direct verbal assault; a denunciation; casting blame on someone or something |
| kenning | a device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities |
| lampoon | a mocking, satirical assault on a person or situation |
| litotes | a form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity |
| loose sentence | a sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences. The main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses |
| lyrical prose | personal, reflective prose that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject |
| malapropism | a confused use of words in which the appropriate word is replaced by one with a similar soud but inappropriate meaning |
| maxim | a saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth |
| melodrama | a literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response |
| metaphysical | a term describing poetry that uses elaborate conceits, expresses the complexities of love and life, and is highly intellectual |
| Middle English | the language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 A.D. |
| mock epic | a parody of traditional epic from |
| mock solemnity | feigned or deliberately artificial seriousness, often for satirical purposes |
| mode | the general form, patterm, and manner of expression of a piece of discourse |
| montage | a quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea |
| mood | the emotional tone or prevailing atmosphere in a work of literature or other discourse. In grammar, mood refers to the intent of a particular sentence. |
| moral | a brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature |
| motif | a phrase, idea, or event that through repition serves to unify or convey a theme in an essay or other discourse |
| muse | (n.) one of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts; the imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer. (v.) To reflect deeply; to ponder |
| myth | an imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society |
| narrative | a from of verse or prose that tells a story |
| naturalism | a term often used as a synonym for realism; also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic |
| non sequitur | a statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before |
| objective | of or relating to facts and reality, as opposed to private and personal feelings and attitudes |
| ode | a lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful, and exalted feelings toward the subject |
| Old English | the Anglo-Saxon language spoken from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D. in what is now Great Britain |
| paraphrase | a version of a text put into simplier, everyday words |
| pastoral | a work of literature dealing with rural life |
| pathetic fallacy | faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects |
| pedantic | narrowly academic instead of broad and humane; excessively petty and meticulous |
| plot | the interrelationship among the evnts in a story |
| predicate | the part of a sentence that is not the grammatical subject |
| prose | any discourse that is not poetry |
| proverb | a short pithy statement of a general truth, one that condenses common experience into memorable form |
| pseudonym | a false name or alias used by writers |
| pulp fiction | novels written for mass consumption, often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots |
| pun | a humorous play on words, using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings |
| realism | the depiction of people, things, and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect |
| rebuttal, refutation | the part of discourse wherein opposing arguments are anticipated and answered |
| reiteration | repetitin of an idea using different words, often for emphasis or other effect |
| repetition | reuse of the same words, phrases, or ideas for rhetorical effect, usually to emphasize a point |
| retraction | the withdrawal of a previously stated idea or opinion |
| rhetorical stance | language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject |
| rhyme | the repitition of similar sounds at regualar intervals, used mostly in poetry but not unheard of in prose |
| rhythm | the pattern of stressed amd unstressed syllables that make up speech and writing |
| romance | an extanded narrative abput improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places |
| sarcasm | a sharp, caustic attitude conveyed in words through jibes, taunts, or other remarks |
| sentence structure | the arrangement of the parts of a sentence |
| sentiment | a synonym for view of feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature |
| sentimental | a term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience |
| stream of consciousness | a style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind |
| stylistic devices | a general term referring to diction, syntax, tone, figurative language, and all other elements that contribute to the "style" or manner of a given piece of discourse |
| subject complement | the name of a grammatical unit that is comprised of predicate moninatives and predicate adjectives |
| subjective | of or relating to private and personal feelings and attitudes as opposed to facts and reality |
| subtext | the implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of an essay or other work |
| symbolism | the use of one subject to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object |
| synecdoche | a figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole or the whole signifies the part |
| tragedy | a form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and by a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish |
| transition | a stylistic device used to create a link between ideas |
| verbal irony | a discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words |
| verse | a synonym for poetry; also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry |
| verisimilitude | similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is |
| whimsy | an object, device, or creation that is fanciful or rooted in unreality |
| wit | the quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that surprise and delight by their unexpectedness |
| anaphora | the repetition of words at the beginning of successive clauses |
| appositive | a word or phrase that renames a nearby noun or pronoun |
| antimetabole | the repetition of words in an inverted order to sharpen a contrast |
| archaic diction | the use of words common to an earlier time period; antiquated language |
| argument | a statement put forth and supported by evidence |
| Aristotelian triangle | a diagram that represents a rhetorical situation as the relationship among the speaker, the subject, and the audience |
| assertion | an emphatic statement; declaration |
| assumption | a belief or statement taken for granted without proof |
| asyndeton | leaving out conjunctions between words, phrases, clauses |
| attitude | the speaker's position on a subject as revealed through his or her tone |
| audience | one's listener or readership; those to whom a speech or piece of writing is addressed |
| authority | a reliable, respected source - someone with knowledge |
| bias | prejudice or predisposition toward one side of a subject or issue |
| cite | identifying a part of a piece of writing as being derived from a source |
| claim | an assertion, usually supported by evidence |
| close reading | a careful reading that is attentive to organization, figurative language, sentence structure, vocabulary, and other literary and structural elements of a text |
| colloquial/ism | an informal or conversational use of language |
| common ground | shared beliefs, values, or positions |
| complex sentences | a sentence that includes one independent clause and at least one dependent clause |
| concession | a reluctant acknowledgment or yielding |
| context | words, events, or circumstances that help determine meaning |
| coordination | grammatical equivalence between parts of a sentence, often through a coordinating conjunction such as and, or but |
| counterargument | a challenge to a position; an opposing argument |
| credible | worthy of belief; trustworthy |
| cumulative sentence | an independent clause followed by subordinate clauses or phrases that supply additional detail |
| declarative sentence | a sentence that makes a statement |
| dialectal journal | a double-column journal in which one writes a quotation in one column and reflections on that quotation in the other column |
| documentation | bibliographic information about the sources used in a piece or writing |
| elegiac | mournful over what has passed or been lost; often used to describe tone |
| ethos | a Greek term referring to the character of a person; one of Aristotle's three rhetorical appeals |
| explication of text | explanation of a text's meaning through an analysis of all of its constituent parts, including the literary devices used |
| facts | information that is true or demonstrable |
| fragment | a word, phrase, or clause that does not form a full sentence |
| hortatory | urging, or strongly encouraging |
| imagery | vivid use of language that evokes a reader's senses |
| imperative sentence | a sentence that requests or commands |
| inversion | a sentence in which the verb precedes the subject |
| irony | a contradiction between what is said and what is meant; incongruity between action and results |
| juxtaposition | placement of two things side by side for emphasis |
| logos | a Greek term that means "word"; an appeal to logic; one of Aristotle's three rhetorical appeals |
| modifier | a word, phrase, or clause that qualifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause |
| nominalization | turning a verb or adjective into a noun |
| occasion | an aspect of context; the cause or reason for writing |
| omniscient narrator | an all-knowing, usually third-person narrator |
| pacing | the relative speed that combines two contradictory terms |
| paradox | a statement that seems contradictory but is actually true |
| polemic | an argument against an idea, usually regarding philosophy, politics, or religion |
| polysyndeton | the deliberative use of a series of conjunctions |
| premise; major, minor | two parts of a syllogism |
| pronoun | a word used to replace a noun or noun phrase |
| propaganda | a negative term for writing designed to sway opinion rather than present information |
| purpose | one's intention or objective in a speech or piece of writing |
| rhetorical modes | patterns of organization developed to achieve a specific purpose; include but are not limited to narration, description, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, definiton, exemplification, classification and division, process analysis, and argumentation |
| scheme | a pattern of words or sentence construction used for rhetorical effect |
| sentence variety | using a variety of sentence patterns to create a desired effect |
| simile | a figure of speech that uses "like" or "as" to compare two things |
| simple sentence | a statement containing a subject and predicate; an independent clause |
| source | a book, article, person, or other resource consulted for information |
| speaker | a term used for the author, speaker, or the person whose perspective (real or imagined) is being advanced in a speech or piece of writing |
| straw man | a logical fallacy that involves the creation of an easily refutable position; misrepresenting, then attacking an opponent's position |
| rhetorical triangle | a diagram that represents a rhetorical situation as the relationship among the speaker, the subject, and the audience |
| subject | in rhetoric, the topic addressed in a piece of writing |
| subordinate clause | created by a subordinating conjunction, a clause that modifies an independent clause |
| subordination | the dependence of one syntactical element on another in a sentence |
| synthesize | combining or bringing together two or more elements to produce something more complex |
| thesis | the central idea in a work to which all parts of the work refer |
| thesis statement | a statement of the central idea in a work, may be explicit or implicit |
| topic sentence | a sentence, most often appearing at the beginning of a paragraph, that announces the paragraph's idea and often unites it with the work's thesis |
| zeugma | a construction in which one word (usually a verb) modifies or governs - often in different, sometimes incongruent ways - two or more words in a sentence |
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watch me fail horribly cause i'm so nervous about these two tests.