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4788505156allegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. ex. Lewis is a religious allegory with Aslan as Christ and Edmund as Judas.0
4788505157alliterationthe occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. It can reinforce meaning. ex. peter piper picked a pepper1
4788505158allusionA direct or indirect reference to something which commonly known, such as an event, book, or place. Can be historical or religious ex. Lucifer can be an allusion2
4788505159ambiguityMultiple meanings either ,intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage. ex. I have never tasted a cake quite like that one before!3
4788505160analogya comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification. ex. 2+2=4 using oranges to help count4
4788505161antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. ex. The candidate delivered his speech to the crowd.5
4788505162antithesisThe opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite ex. Man proposes, God disposes6
4788505163aphorismA terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle7
4788505164apostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction8
4788505165atmospherethe pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or work of art9
4788505166caricaturea picture, description, or imitation of a person or thing in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect10
4788505167clausea unit of grammatical organization next below the sentence in rank and in traditional grammar said to consist of a subject and predicate11
4788505168colloquialThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing12
4788505169conceita fanciful expression in writing or speech; an elaborate metaphor13
4788505170connotationan idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning14
4788505171denotationthe literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests15
4788505172dictionRelated to style, refers to word choice, with correctness, clearness, or effectiveness16
4788505173didacticFrom the Greek, literally means "teaching"17
4788505174euphemisma mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing18
4788505175extended metaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work19
4788505176figurative languageWriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid20
4788505177figure of speecha word or phrase used in a nonliteral sense to add rhetorical force to a spoken or written passage.21
4788505178generic conversationThis describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre22
4788505179genrea category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter ex. poetry, fiction, non fiction23
4788505180homilyIt literally means "sermon", but more informally it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice. ex. You can have a homily conversation with your parents24
4788505181hyperboleexaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally ex. I can eat a horse right now25
4788505182imageryvisually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work ex. It smelled like expired milk with vomit26
4788505183inference/inferTo draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented ex. he inferred that we would be home right now27
4788505184invectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language28
4788505185irony/ironicthe expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect29
4788505186litotesAn understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite.30
4788505187loose sentenceThe main idea comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses31
4788505188metaphora figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable ex. The curtain of night32
4788505189metonymythe substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant33
4788505190moodreferred to as the atmosphere of a literary piece, as it creates an emotional situation that surrounds the readers34
4788505191narrativea spoken or written account of connected events; a story ex. In movies they have narrators a lot of the time35
4788505192onomatopoeiathe formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named36
4788505193oxymorona figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction37
4788505194paradoxa statement or proposition that, despite sound reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory ex. I am nobody38
4788505195parallelismthe use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc ex. Like father like son39
4788505196anaphorathe repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses40
4788505197parodyan imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect ex. Music parodies like "Just Eat It" by Weird Al41
4788505198pedantican adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or. bookish42
4788505199periodic sentencea sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end43
4788505200personificationa figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animasl, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions44
4788505201POVthe perspective from which a story is told Ex. There is first person, second person and third person45
4788505202prosegenre including fiction, nonfiction, written in ordinary language46
4788505203repetitionduplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, sound,word, phrase,clause, sentence47
4788505204rhetoricfrom the Greek for "orator," the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively48
4788505205rhetoric modesthe variety, conventions, and purposes of the major kinds of writing49
4788505206sarcasmfrom the Greek for "to tear flesh," involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something ex. Of course we did it50
4788505207satirea work that targets human vices and follies or social institutinos and conventions for reform or ridicule51
4788505208semanticsthe branch of linguistics which studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another52
4788505209stylean evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices; or, classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors Ex. Informal style53
4788505210subordinate clausecontains a subject and verb but cannot stand alone; does not express complete thought54
4788505211syllogismfrom the Greek for "reckoning together," a deductive system of fromal logic that presents two premises (first "major," second "minor") that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion55
4788505212symbolanything that represents or stands for something else ex. The US flag for freedom56
4788505213synecdochea figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa ex. Boots on the ground—refers to soldiers57
4788505214synesthesiawhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another ex. Tasting of Flora and the country green, Dance, and Provencal song, and sun burnt mirth58
4788505215syntaxthe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences59
4788505216themethe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life ex. fear,joy,sorrow,etc60
4788505217thesisin expository writing, the thesis statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly express the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition61
4788505218tonesimilar to mood, describes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both ex. anger62
4788505219transitiona word or phrase that links different ideas ex. FANBOYS63
4788505220understaementthe ironic minimalizing of fact, presents something as less significant than it is Ex. killing someone for fun64
4788505221witintellectually amusing language that surprises and delights65
4788505222iscolona scheme of parallel structure which occurs when the parallel elements are similar not only grammatical but also length66
4788505223anastropheinversion of the natural or usual word order ex.What a beautiful picture it is!67
4788505224parenthesisinsertion of some verbal unit in a position that interrupts the normal syntactical flow of the sentence ex. I would love to go there (not really).68
4788505225appositionsecond phrase explains first phrase ex. My dog, Woofers69
4788505226ellipsisdeliberate omission of a word or of words which are readily implied by the context. ex. do we ... live?70
4788505227asyndetondeliberate omission of conjunctions between a series of related clauses.71
4788505228brachylogiaa subcategory of asyndeton used in the Tudor period72
4788505229polysyndetondeliberate use of many conjunctions ex. We lived and laughed and loved and left73
4788505230assonancethe repetition of similar vowel sounds, preceded and followed by different consonants, in the stressed syllables of adjacent words74
4788505231epistrophethe repetition of the same word or group of words at the ends of successive clauses.75
4788505232epanalepsisrepetition at the end of a clause of the word that occurred at the beginning of the clause76
4788505233anadiplosisrepetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause77
4788505234climaxthe most intense, exciting, or important point of something; a culmination or apex78
4788505235antimetabolerepetition of words, in successive clauses, in reverse grammatical order79
4788505236chiasmusreversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses80
4788505237polyptotonrepetition of words derived from the same root81
4788505238simileexplicit comparison between two things of unlike nature82
4788505239antanaclasisrepetition of a word in two different senses ex. Antanaclasis can be hard to use.83
4788505240paronomasiause of words alike in sound but different in meaning84
4788505241syllepsisuse of a word understood differently in relation to two or more other words, which it modifies or governs85
4788505242anthimeriathe substitution of one part of speech for another86
4788505243periphrasissubstitution of a descriptive word or phrase for a proper name or of a proper name for a quality associated with the name87
4788505244rhetorical questionasking a question, not for the purpose of eliciting an answer but for the purpose of asserting or denying something obliquely88
4788505245admiringregard (an object, quality, or person) with respect or warm approval.89
4788505246alarmedcause (someone) to feel frightened, disturbed, or in danger ex. He had an alarming experience.90
4788505247allusiveworking by suggestion rather than explicit mention91
4788505248aloofnot friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant ex. Sometimes I can be aloof92
4788505249ambivalenthaving mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone93
4788505250anxiousexperiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.94
4788505251apatheticshowing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.95
4788505252apologeticregretfully acknowledging or excusing an offense or failure. ex. People I know are apologetic.96
4788505253audaciousshowing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks97
4788505254belligerenthostile and aggressive. ex. Belligerent looking people can be very nice when you get to know them98
4788505255benevolentwell meaning and kindly. ex. Zach wanted to be a benevolent king99
4788505256candidtruthful and straightforward; frank ex. I like candid people100
4788505257captioustending to find fault or raise petty objections101
4788505258censoriousseverely critical of others. ex. Censorious people can get annoying102
4788505259clinicalefficient and unemotional; coldly detached.103
4788505260complacentshowing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements. ex.104
4788505261condescendinghaving or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority. ex. He has a condescending personality.105
4788505262contemptuousshowing contempt; scornful. ex. They give contemptuous punishments106
4788505263cynicalbelieving that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity. ex. Humans naturally have a cynical attitude107
4788505264deliriousin an acutely disturbed state of mind resulting from illness or intoxication and characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence of thought and speech. ex. Doing drugs can put you in a delirious state.108
4788505265dogmaticinclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true. ex. People with dogmatic qualities can be a good leader109
4788505266effusiveexpressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner. ex. Winning an award gives you an effusive feeling.110
4788505267elatedmake (someone) ecstatically happy ex. I want to make my parents elated with my accomplishments111
4788505268elegiachaving a mournful quality ex. People with an elegiac personality makes me feel down.112
4788505269fancifulover imaginative and unrealistic. ex. Nothing is wrong with having a fanciful mind113
4788505270flippantnot showing a serious or respectful attitude. ex. My cousin has a flippant attitude114
4788505271frivolousnot having any serious purpose or value. ex. Doing extra work is frivolous115
4788505272giddymake (someone) feel excited to the point of disorientation. ex. My friends have a giddy personality116
4788505273hesitanttentative, unsure, or slow in acting or speaking. ex. I'm hesitant to take this class117
4788505274impartialtreating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just. ex. In games it's important to be impartial118
4788505275impassionedfilled with or showing great emotion. ex. People are impassioned with women equality119
4788505276importunatepersistent, especially to the point of annoyance or intrusion. ex. My friend can be importunate120
4788505277incredulousunwilling or unable to believe something. ex. My friends can be incredolous121
4788505278indignantfeeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment. ex. Society feels indignant with police122
4788505279insolentshowing a rude and arrogant lack of respect. ex. Kids are insolent all the time123
4788505280jocularfond of or characterized by joking; humorous or playful. ex. The joker is jocular124
4788505281lugubriouslooking or sounding sad and dismal. ex. He was lugubrious because of a girl125
4788505282melancholya feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause. ex. Melancholy can describe bipolar126
4788505283pompousaffectedly and irritatingly grand, solemn, or self-important. ex. Donald trump is pompous127
4788505284puerilechildishly silly and trivial. ex. I'm usually puerile when I can128
4788505285pungenthaving a sharply strong taste or smell. ex. The cheese is pungent129
4788505286sardonicgrimly mocking or cynical. ex. Dr. Evil is sardonic130
4788505287somberoppressively solemn or sober in mood; grave. ex. Everyone has a somber day131
4788505288superciliousbehaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others. ex. Donald Trump is supercilious132
4788505289vexedannoyed, frustrated, or worried. ex. I'm vexed for doing this work133
4788505290vindictivehaving or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge. ex. People in shows are vindictive all the time134
4788505291zealousgreat energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective. ex. Spongebob is zealous way to much135

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