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2799051881EnglishEnglish0
2799052319adagea proverb or wise saying commonly used (ex: Things are not always as they seem.)1
2799054918allegorya story in which people, things and happenings have a hidden or symbolic meaning.(fables, parables, apologue have meanings on two or more levels.)2
2799059412alliterationwords used in quick succession and begin with letters belonging to the same sound group; a repetition of similar sounds/letters in the sentence. (Wicked witch of the west went her own way.)3
2799062310allusiona passing reference to a commonly-known historical, cultural, religious, literary, or mythical person, place, event, or work of art, whereby the reader must make the connection within the current text.4
2799071442ambiguitymultiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, passage or sentence; can lead reader toward uncertainty of meaning5
2799091695analogyestablishing a relationship based on similarities between two concepts or ideas; helps convey meaning of a new idea6
2799093835anaphorathe deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect; most commonly found in the Bible (O Lord,.for I am weak.O Lord, heal me. O Lord, have mercy on me.)7
2799097385anecdoteshort and interesting story or an amusing event often proposed to support or demonstrate some point and make readers and listeners laugh; Anecdotes can include an extensive range of tales and stories8
2799098220antecedentword, phrase, or clause that is replaced by a pronoun9
2799103597antimetabolerepetition of words in reverse grammatical order; Ex: "Fair is foul and foul is fair."10
2799104540antithesisparallel structures of the contrasted phrases or clauses, i.e. the structures of phrases and clauses are similar in order to draw the attention of the listeners or readers; Ex: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."11
2799106379apostrophespeaker talks to someone or something that is obviously not present12
2799108090appositivea renaming of a noun or noun phrase immediately after first stating the noun13
2799109147archetypeA detail, image, or character type that occurs frequently in literature and myth and is thought to appeal in a universal way to the unconscious and to evoke a response14
2799110485argumenta statement put forth and supported by evidence15
2799111177asyndetonauthor purposely leaves out conjunctions in the sentence, while maintaining the grammatical accuracy of the phrase; shortening the statement for greater impact; "Reduce, reuse, recycle."16
2799113380audiencethose to whom a piece of literary work is being presented17
2799114137cacophonyTremendous noise, disharmonious sound18
2799114300characterizationActions, dialogue, and narrative description that reveal a sense of a character's personality to the reader.19
2799114781circumlocutionan indirect or wordy way of expressing an idea which leaves the reader perplexed; exaggeratedly long and complex sentences in order to convey a meaning that could have otherwise been conveyed through a shorter, much simpler sentence20
2799116685climaxthat point in a plot that creates the greatest intensity, suspense, or interest. Also called "turning point"21
2799118048colloquialCharacteristic of ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing22
2799118270concessionAn argumentative strategy by which a speaker or writer acknowledges the validity of an opponent's point.23
2799118621conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects; unusual and unlikely comparisons between two things24
2799122519connotationassociations people make with words that go beyond the literal or dictionary definition25
2799123540contextThe parts before or after a word or statement that influence its meaning26
2799125468counter argumentan argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument.27
2799125617cumulative sentencea sentence in which the main independent clause is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases28
2799126057denotationDictionary definition of a word; literal meaning29
2799126707denouementan outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot30
2799126835detailThe facts revealed by the author or speaker that support the attitude or tone in a piece of poetry or prose.31
2799127107dictionA writer's or speaker's choice of words32
2799127231elegya mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead.33
2799128093ellipsisin a sentence, the omission of a word or words replaced by three periods ...34
2799128553epicA long narrative poem, written in heightened language, which recounts the deeds of a heroic character who embodies the values of a particular society35
2799128643ethosOne of the fundamental strategies of argumentation identified by Aristotle. Ethos is basically an appeal to credibility. The writer is seeking to convince you that he or she has the background, history, skills, and/or expertise to speak on the issue.36
2799129634euphemismFrom the Greek for "good speech," euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept - POLITICALLY CORRECT37
2799129853expositionBackground information presented in a literary work.38
2799129979foreshadowingForeshadowing is used to suggest an upcoming outcome to the story; builds suspense/anxiety39
2799131533genreA category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.40
2799131686horative sentenceSentence that exhorts, urges, retreats, implores, or calls to action;41
2799131942hyperboleA figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (The literal Greek meaning is "overshoot.") Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, hyperbole produces irony.42
2799132409imageryuse of words and phrases to create "mental images" for the reader; helps the reader visualize more realistically the author's writings through the usage of metaphors, allusions, descriptive words and similes43
2799133982imperative sentencesgives a command or request; often subject is understood and sentence ends with !44
2799134469inversionA sentence in which the verb precedes the subject.45
2799134615verbal ironySarcasm; what is said is the opposite of what is meant46
2800064519juxtapositionplacing an idea next to its opposite to emphasize contrast and comparison47
2800066360Litotesan understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite. Ex: "Not bad" looking48
2800068851logosAn appeal to reason. Logos is one of the fundamental strategies of argumentation identified by Aristotle. It occurs when a writer tries to convince you of the logic of his argument. writers may use inductive argumentation or deductive argumentation, but they clearly have examples and generally rational tome to their language. The problem with logos is that is can appear reasonable until you dissect the argument and then find fallacies that defeat the viability of the argument on the reader's eyes. Of course, that presupposes that the readers is able to identify the fallacies.49
2800071858metaphorA figurative comparison of two unlike things without using the word like or as50
2800073662metonymy(mĕtŏn′ ĭmē) A term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name," metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. For example, a news release that claims "the White House declared" rather than "the President declared" is using metonymy; Shakespeare uses it to signify the male and female sexes in As You Like It: "doublet and hose ought to show itself courageous to petticoat." The substituted term generally carries a more potent emotional impact.51
2800074177moodFeeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader; using specific diction, description, setting, and characterization to create the atmosphere52
2800079410motifA recurring theme, subject or idea53
2800079411mytha traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.54
2800079857narrativea fiction, nonfiction, poetic, or dramatic story, actual or fictional, expressed orally or in text.55
2800082048non sequiturA statement that does not follow logically from evidence56
2800082851occasionthe time and place a speech is given or a piece is written57
2800083348onomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Ex: buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur.58
2800085990organizationIn a composition, the arrangement of ideas, incidents, evidence, or details in a perceptible order in a paragraph or essay.59
2800088465oxymoronA figure of speech consisting of two apparently contradictory terms; The richest literary oxymora(paradoxes) seem to reveal a deeper truth through their contradictions. Ex: "without laws, we can have no freedom." Shakespeare's Julius Caesar also makes use of a famous oxymoron: "Cowards die many times before their deaths"60
2800091153paceSpeed with which the author delivers the story controlled by language, mood, emotion played out in speech, dialogue, descriptions.61
2800096729parableA simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson62
2800097071paradoxA statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.63
2800097354parallel structurerepetition of the same pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.64
2800097778parodyA humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing65
2800098213pastoralA work of literature dealing with rural life66
2800099202pathosAn appeal to emotion. This is one of the fundamental strategies of argumentation identified by Aristotle. Typically, pathos arguments may use loaded words to make you feel guilty, lonely, worried, insecure, or confused.67
2800104208periodic sentenceThe opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. This independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. The effect of a periodic sentence is to add emphasis and structural variety. It is also a much stronger sentence than the loose sentence. (Example: After a long, bumpy flight and multiple delays, I arrived at the San Diego airport.)68
2800105125personaAn individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.69
2800105372personificationauthor presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.70
2800106106point of viewPerspective from which a story is told; omniscient point of view= the person telling the story or narrator knows everything that's going on in the story; first- person point of view the narrator is a character in the story; limited third-person point of view the narrator is outside the story- like an omniscient narrator- but tells the story from the vantage point of one character."71
2800109054polemica controversial argument, esp. attacking a particular opinion72
2800109549propagandaA negative term for writing designed to sway opinion rather than present information.73
2800110521prosewritten or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.74
2800110806purposeOne's intention or objective in a speech or piece of writing.75
2800111420refutationThe part of an argument wherein a speaker or writer anticipates and counters opposing points of view.76
2800112101repetitionRepeated use of sounds, words, or ideas for effect and emphasis77
2800112125rhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.78
2800113760rhetorical appealsRhetorical techniques used to persuade an audience by emphasizing what they find most important or compelling. The three major appeals are to ethos (character), logos (reason), and pathos (emotion).79
2800114706rhetorical questionA question whose answer is assumed; a rhetorical question is designed to force the reader to respond in a predetermined manner and to propel an argument emotionally.80
2800119995rhetorical triangleA diagram that represents a rhetorical situation as the relationship among the speaker, the subject, and the audience ex:Aristotelian triangle81
2800123409satireA work that reveals a critical attitude toward some element of human behavior by portraying it in an extreme way. It doesn't simply abuse (as in invective) or get personal (as in sarcasm). It targets groups or large concepts rather than individuals.82
2800127687simileA comparison of two things using like or as83
2800130069soliloquyA dramatic or literary form of discourse in which a character talks to himself or herself or reveals his or her thoughts without addressing a listener.84
2800130389symbolismAn ordinary object with an extraordinary significance85
2800132295synecdocheA figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole (as hand for sailor), the whole for a part (as the law for police officer), the specific for the general (as cutthroat for assassin), the general for the specific (as thief for pickpocket), or the material for the thing made from it (as steel for sword).86
2800132781syllogismA form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.87
2800133056syntaxLanguage rules that govern how words can be combined to form meaningful phrases and sentences88
2800133957thesisFocus statement of an essay; premise statement upon which the point of view or discussion in the essay is based.89
2800134376toneA writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels.90
2800135287transitionA word or phrase that links one idea to the next and carries the reader from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph91
2800135568voiceIn grammar, a term for the relationship between a verb and a noun (active or passive voice). In rhetoric, a distinctive quality in the style and tone of writing.92
2800135874zeugmaArtfully using a single verb to refer to two different objects in an ungrammatical but striking way, or artfully using an adjective to refer to two separate nouns, even though the adjective would logically only be appropriate for one of the two. Ex:"If we don't hang together, we shall hang separately!"93

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