The Language of English
Terms : Hide Images
| 291997553 | Absolute | a word free from limitations or qualifications ("best", "all", "unique", "perfect") | |
| 291997554 | Ad hominem argument | an argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue | |
| 291997555 | Allegory | a literary work in which characters, objects, or actions represent abstractions | |
| 291997556 | Analogy | a comparison of two different things that are similar in some way | |
| 291997557 | Anaphora | the repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines or sentences | |
| 291997558 | Asyndeton | a construction in which elements are presented in a series without conjunctions | |
| 291997559 | Cliché | an expression that has been overused to the extent that its freshness has worn off | |
| 291997560 | Colloquialism | informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing | |
| 291997561 | Conceit | a fanciful, particularly clever extended metaphor | |
| 291997562 | Dialect | a variety of speech characterized by its own particular grammar or pronunciation, often associated with a particular geographical region | |
| 291997563 | Dilemma | a situation that requires a person to decide between two equally attractive or equally unattractive alternatives | |
| 291997564 | Epiphany | a moment of sudden revelation or insight | |
| 291997565 | Epitaph | an inscription on a tombstone or burial place | |
| 291997566 | Epithet | a term used to point out a characteristic of a person. Homeric epithets are often compound adjectives ("swift-footed Achilles") that become an almost formulaic part of a name. | |
| 291997567 | Eulogy | a formal speech praising a person who has died | |
| 291997568 | Euphemism | an indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant | |
| 291997569 | Expletive | an interjection to lend emphasis; sometimes, a profanity | |
| 291997570 | Hypothetical question | a question that raises a hypothesis, conjecture, or supposition | |
| 291997571 | Invective | an intensely vehement, highly emotional verbal attack | |
| 291997572 | Jargon | the specialized language or vocabulary of a particular group or profession | |
| 291997573 | Juxtaposition | placing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast | |
| 291997574 | Legend | a narrative handed down from the past, containing historical elements and usually supernatural elements | |
| 291997575 | Motif | a standard theme, element, or dramatic situation that recurs in various works | |
| 291997576 | Motivation | a character's incentive or reason for behaving in a certain manner; that which impels a character to act | |
| 291997577 | Non sequitur | the inference that does not follow logically from the remises (literally, "does not follow") | |
| 291997578 | Parable | a simple story that illustrates a moral or religious lesson | |
| 291997579 | Parallelism | the use of corresponding grammatical or syntactical forms | |
| 291997580 | Pathos | the quality in a work that prompts the reader to feel pity | |
| 291997581 | Polysyndeton | the use, for rhetorical effect, of more conjunctions than is necessary or natural | |
| 291997582 | Rhetoric | the art of presenting ideas in a clear, effective, and persuasive manner | |
| 291997583 | Rhetorical devices | literary techniques used to heighten the effectiveness of expression | |
| 291997584 | Structure | the arrangement or framework of a sentence, paragraph, or entire work | |
| 291997585 | Style | the choices a writer makes; the combination of distinctive features of a literary work | |
| 291997586 | Syllogism | a three-part deductive argument in which a conclusion is based on a major premise and a minor premise ("All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates is mortal.") | |
| 291997587 | Thesis | the primary position taken by a writer or speaker | |
| 291997588 | Topic | the subject treated in a paragraph or work | |
| 291997589 | Tragedy | a work in which the protagonist, a person of high degree, is engaged in a significant struggle and which ends in ruin or destruction | |
| 291997590 | Trite | overused and hackneyed | |
| 291997591 | Understatement | the deliberate representation of something as lesser in magnitude than it actually is; a deliberate under-emphasis | |
| 291997592 | Usage | the customary way language or its elements are used |
