| Term | Definition |
|---|
| allegory | using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning |
| alliteration | the repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in 2+ neighboring words |
| allusion | a direct/indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known |
| ambiguity | having multiple meaning, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence or passage |
| analogy | a similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. It can help explain an unfamiliar things by comparison. |
| antecedent | the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun |
| antithesis | the opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite |
| aphorism | a terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principle. (If anonymous, called a folk proverb) |
| apostrophe | a figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction (i.e. love or liberty) |
| caricature | a verbal description with the purpose to exaggerate or distort a person's characteristics for comic effect |
| clause | contains both a subject and a verb. Main (independent) clauses can stand alone as a sentence. Dependent (subordinate) clauses must be accompanied by an independent clause. |
| colloquialism | use of slang/informalities in speech or writing |
| conceit | a fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. |
| connotation | the non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied/suggested meaning. |
| denotation | the strict, literal dictionary definition of a word |
| diction | the writer's word choices |
| didactic | literally means teaching; describes words that are for teaching or instructing, especially with morals or ethical principles |
| euphemism | less offensive substitute for an unpleasant word or idea. Ex. earthly remains instead of corpse |
| extended metaphor | a metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in/throughout a work |
| figurative language | writing or speech not intended to carry literal meaning |
| hyperbole | a figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement |
| imagery | sensory details of figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions |
| invective | an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language |
| irony | the contrast between what is explicitly stated and what is really meant. Or, the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true. |
| verbal irony | the words literally state the opposite of the writer's meaning |
| situational irony | when events turn out the opposite of what was expected |
| dramatic irony | when facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience or other characters in the work |
| litotes (sounds like little tee) | a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite; opposite of hyperbole |
| loose/ non-periodic sentence | type of sentence in which the main clause comes first followed by dependent clause(s). |
| metaphor | figure of speech using implied comparison |
| metonymy | figure of speech in which the name of an object is substituted for a similar name. Ex. The white house for the president |
| onomatopoeia | figure of speech when woods imitate sounds. Ex. hiss, crack, band |
| oxymoron | figure of speech where the author groups contradictory things to suggest a paradox. Ex. jumbo shrimp and cruel kindness |
| paradox | a statement that appears to be self-contradictory but has some degree of truth or validity |
| parallelism | also known as parallel structure, ordering words, phrases or paragraphs to create structural similarity |
| anaphora | a type of parallelism with the exact repetition of words or phrases is at the beginning of successive lines or sentences |
| parody | a work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comedy or ridicule |
| pedantic | describes words, phrases or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic or bookish |
| periodic sentence | dependent clause first, then main clause at end. |
| personification | figure of speech when concepts, animals or inanimate objects are given humanlike characteristics or emotions |
| repetition | exact or approximate duplication of any element of language such as sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence or grammatical pattern |
| rhetoric | principles of how to write effectively, eloquently and persuasively |
| rhetorical modes | the variety, conventions and purposes of the major kinds of writing. The four most common rhetorical modes are exposition (explain and analyze), argumentation (aka persuasive writing), description (describe for the reader) and narration(tell a stroy or narrate an event) |
| sarcasm | bitter language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. |
| satire | a work that targets human vice or follies or social conventions and institutions to reform or ridicule |
| semantics | branch of linguistics that studies the meaning and origin of words |
| subject complement | the word or clause that follows a linking verb that describes the subject by renaming the subject (predicate nominative) or describing the subject (predicate adjective) |
| syllogism | a deductive system of logic that presents 2 premises that lead to a sound conclusion. Ex. 1. All men are mortal. 2. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal. |
| symbol | anything that represents itself and stands for something else. |
| natural symbols | objects or occurrences in nature that symbolize ideas associated with them. Ex. roses and love |
| conventional symbols | symbols that have been invested with meaning by a group. Ex. cross and christianity |
| literary symbols | symboles that are in variety of books and are more generally recognized. |
| synecdoche | a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or the whole represents a part. Ex. calling a car "wheels" or referring to all of the string instruments in an orchestra as "the strings" |
| synesthesia | a sensory stimulus that evokes the subjective experience of another. Ex. seeing red ants makes you itchy |
| syntax | the way an author structures his words into phrase, clauses and sentences. |
| understatement | the ironic minimalizing of fact |
| wit | intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. Witty statements are humorous while demonstrating the speaker's ability to use words to make ingenious or perceptive remarks |
Combine with other sets
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace
!