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8514021266Cumulative (Loose) Sentencebegins with a main clause that is followed by phrases and/or clauses that modify the main clause. These phrases or clauses add information to the main or independent clause.0
8514021267Periodic Sentencea sentence that, by leaving the completion of its main clause to the end, produces an effect of suspense.1
8514021268Litotes/Understatementa figure of speech in which a negative statement is used to affirm a positive statement.2
8514021269Warrantexpresses the assumption necessarily shared by the speaker and the audience.3
8514021270Ethosan appeal to ethics and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader.4
8514021271Pathosan appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response.5
8514021272Logosan appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason.6
8514021273Concessionan acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.7
8514021274SyllogismA logical structure that uses the major premise and minor premise to reach a necessary conclusion.8
8514021275Major premisecontains the term that is the predicate of the conclusion.9
8514021276Minor premisecontains the term that is the subject of the conclusion.10
8514021277Inductiona logical process wherein you reason from particulars to universal, using specific cases in order to draw a conclusion, which is also called a generalization.11
8514021278Deductiona logical process wherein you reach a conclusion by starting with a general principle or universal truth (a major premise).12
8514021279Equivocationa fallacy of argument in which a lie is given the appearance of truth, or in which the truth is misrepresented in deceptive language.13
8514021280Refutationa denial of the validity of an opposing argument.14
8514021281Dictiona speaker's choice of words. Analysis of diction looks at these choices and what they add to the speaker's message.15
8514021282Similea figure of speech used to explain or clarify an idea by comparing it explicitly to something else, using words like, as, or as though.16
8514021283Metaphorfigure of speech that compares two unlike things without using like or as.17
8514021284Anaphorathe intentional repetition of beginning clauses in order to create an artistic effect.18
8514021285Rhetoricit is the art of finding ways of persuading an audience.19
8514021286Rhetorical Trianglespeaker-subject-audience20
8514021287Allusionbrief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) to to a work of art.21
8514021288Hyperboledeliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or to produce a comic or ironic effect; an overstatement to make a point.22
8514021289Personificationattribution of a lifelike quality to an inanimate object or an idea.23
8514021290Asyndetonomission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.24
8514021291Polysyndetonthe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses or words.25
8514021292Parallelismsimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.26
8514021293Antithesisopposition, or contrast or ideas or words in a parallel construction.27
8514021294Enumerationto mention separately as if in counting; name one by one; specify, as in list28
8514021295Rhetorical QuestionFigure of speech in the form of a question posed for the rhetorical effect rather than for the purpose of getting an answer. Ex.) Are you stupid?29
8514021296Chiasmusthe reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases. Ex.) He went to the country, the country went to him.30
8514021297RebuttalIn the Toulon model, a rebuttal gives voice to possible objections.31
8514021298Fallacy of Argumenta flaw in the structure of an argument that renders its conclusion invalid or suspect.32
8514021299Bandwagon Appeala fallacy of argument in which a course of action is recommended on the grounds that everyone else is following it.33
8514021300Begging the Questiona fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the very grounds that are in doubt or dispute.34
8514021301Anecdotea brief story used to illustrate a point or claim.35
8514021302Modes of DisclosureExposition- illustrates a point Narration- tells a story Description- creates a sensory image Argumentation- takes a position on an issue and defends it.36
8514021303Examplea specific event, person, or detail of an idea cited and/or developed to support or illustrate a thesis or topic.37
8514021304Contrast/ Comparisona method of presenting similarities and differences between or among at least two persons, places, things, ideas, etc. may be organized by: Subject by subject Point by point Combination38
8514021305Cause and Effectestablishes a relationship: B is the result of A.39
8514021306Classificationseparates items into major categories and details the characteristics of each group is placed within the category.40
8514021307Processsimply "how to" do something is done. It can have one of two purposes. It can either give instructions or inform the reader about how something is done.41
8514021308Definitionidentifies the class to which a specific term belongs and those characteristics which make it different from all the other items in that class.42
8514021309Narrationis nothing more than storytelling. There is a beginning, a middle, and an end.43
8514021310Descriptionwriting that appeals to the senses. It can be objective, which is scientific or clinical, or it can be impressionistic, which tries to involve the reader's emotions or feelings.44
8514021311Dogmatism`a fallacy of argument in which a claim is supported on the grounds that it's the only conclusion acceptable within a given community.45
8514021312False Dilemma or Dichotomya fallacy of argument in which a complicated issue is misrepresented as offering only two possible alternatives, one of which is often made to seem vastly preferable to the other.46
8514021313False authoritya fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the expertise of someone who lacks appropriate credentials.47
8514021314Faulty causalitya fallacy of argument making the unwarranted assumption that because one event follows another, the first event causes the second. Also called post hoc, ergo propter hoc, this forms the basis of many superstitions.48
8514021315Hasty generalizationa fallacy of argument in which an inference is drawn from insufficient data.49
8514021316Non sequitora fallacy of argument in which claims, reasons, or warrants fail to connect logically; one point doesn't follow from another.50
8514021317AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. A story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself.51
8514021318AlliterationThe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in "she sells sea shells").52
8514021319AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.53
8514021320AmbiguityThe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.54
8514021321AnalogyA similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.55
8514021322AntecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.56
8514021323Antithesisthe opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.57
8514021324AphorismA terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.)58
8514021325ApostropheA prayer like figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer.59
8514021326AtmosphereThe emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author's choice of objects that are described.60
8514021327Caricaturea verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics.61
8514021328ClauseA grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.62
8514021329Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.63
8514021330Literary ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects; displays intellectual cleverness through unusual comparisons that make good sense64
8514021331ConnotationThe non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.65
8514021332DenotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.66
8514021333DictionRelated to style, diction refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.67
8514021334DidacticFrom the Greek, didactic literally means "teaching."68
8514021335EuphemismFrom the Greek for "good speech," euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept - POLITICALLY CORRECT69
8514021336Extended MetaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.70
8514021337Figurative LanguageWriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid71
8514021338Figure of speechA device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Figures of speech include apotrophe hyperbole irony metaphor oxymoron paradox personification simile syneddoche understatement72
8514021339GenreThe major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama.73
8514021340HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.74
8514021341HyperboleA figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (The literal Greek meaning is "overshoot.")75
8514021342ImageryThe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.76
8514021343Inference/inferTo draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.77
8514021344Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.78
8514021345Irony/ironicThe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.79
8514021346Loose sentence/non-periodic sentenceA type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.80
8514021347MetaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.81
8514021348MetonymyA figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.82
8514021349MoodThe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.83
8514021350NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.84
8514021351onomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.85
8514021352OxymoronOxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.86
8514021353ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.87
8514021354Parallelismthe use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc.88
8514021355ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.89
8514021356PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (language that might be described as "show-offy"; using big words for the sake of using big words).90
8514021357Periodic sentenceThe opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.91
8514021358PersonificationA figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.92
8514021359Point of viewIn literature, the perspective from which a story is told.93
8514021360Prosewritten or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.94
8514021361RepetitionThe duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.95
8514021362RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.96
8514021363SarcasmInvolves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.97
8514021364SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.98
8514021365Subordinate clauseLike all clauses, this word group contains both a subject and a verb (plus any accompanying phrases or modifiers), but unlike the independent clause, this clause cannot stand alone; it does not express a complete thought.99
8514021366SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called "major" and the second called "minor") that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.100
8514021367Symbol/symbolismGenerally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else.101
8514021368SyntaxThe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.102
8514021369ThemeThe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.103
8514021370ThesisThe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.104
8514021371ToneDescribes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.105
8514021372TransitionA word or phrase that links different ideas. Used especially, although not exclusively, in expository and argumentative writing, effectively signal a shift from one idea to another.106
8514021373Understatementthe ironic minimalizing of fact; presents something as less significant than it is.107
8514021374Witin modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights.108
8514021375Slippery SlopeThis is the failure to provide evidence to support a claim that one event will lead to a catastrophic chain of events.109
8514021376straw manWhen a writer argues against a claim that nobody actually holds or is universally considered weak.110
8514021377EthosAn 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.111
8514021378JuxtapositionMaking on idea more dramatic by placing it next to its opposite.112
8514021379LogosAn appeal to reason.113
8514021380PathosAn appeal to emotion.114
8514021381Rhetorical QuestionA question whose answer is assumed.115
8514021382SimileA critical figure of speech in an argument when what is unknown is compared to something that is known using the word "like," "as," or "than" in order to better perceive its importance.116
8514021383rhetorical appealthe persuasive devices by which a writer tries to sway an audience's attention and response to any given work. See logos, ethos, and pathos.117
8514021384descriptive detailWhen an essay uses this phrase, look for the writer's sensory description.118
8514021385devicesThe figures of speech, syntax, diction, and other stylistic elements that collectively produce a particular artistic effect.119
8514021386narrative devicesThis term describes the tools of the storyteller (also used in nonfiction), such as ordering events so that they build to a climactic moment or withholding information until a crucial or appropriate moment when revealing it creates a desired effect. On the essay portion of the exam, this term may also apply to biographical and autobiographical writing.120
8514021387narrative techniquesThe style of telling the "story," even if the passage is nonfiction. Concentrate on the order of events and on their detail in evaluating a writer's technique.121
8514021388Ad hominem argumentAn argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue122
8514021389AnaphoraFigure of repetition that occurs when the first word or set of words in one sentence, clause, or phrase is/are repeated at or very near the beginning of successive sentences, clauses, or phrases; repetition of the initial words over successive phrases or clauses123
8514021390AnecdoteA brief story that illustrates or makes a point124
8514021391Appeal to authorityA fallacy in which a speaker or writer seeks to persuade not by giving evidence but by appealing to the respect people have for a famous person or institution.125
8514021392Argumentationone of the four forms of discourse which uses logic, ethics, and emotional appeals (logos, ethos, pathos) to develop an effective means to convince the reader to think or act in a certain way.126
8514021393AssonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity127
8514021394AsyndetonA series of words separated by commas (with no conjunction).128
8514021395toneA speaker's, author's, or character's disposition toward or opinion of a subject.129
8514021396audienceOne's listener or readership; those to whom a speech or piece of writing is addressed.130
8514021397Balanced sentenceA sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set off against each other to emphasize a contrast131
8514021398Begging the questionOften called circular reasoning, __ occurs when the believability of the evidence depends on the believability of the claim.132
8514021399understatement"I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain." Holden Caulfield, Catcher in the Rye133
8514021400parallelism"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy134
8514021401allusionThe rise in poverty will unlock the Pandora's box of crimes.135
8514021402hyperbole"I'll love you, dear, I'll love you/Till China and Africa meet,/And the river jumps over the mountain"136
8514021403aphorism"Having nothing, nothing can he lose."137
8514021404metonymy"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act I138
8514021405invective"I cannot but conclude the bulk of your natives to be the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth." Jonathan Swift Gulliver's Travels139
8514021406antithesis"To err is human; to forgive divine." Alexander Pope "An Essay on Criticism"140
8514021407euphemism"I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs." William Shakespeare Othello141
8514021408periodic sentenceIn spite of heavy snow and cold temperatures, the game continued.142
8514021409paradox"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." -Gandhi143
8514021410alliteration"His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead."144
8514021411chiasmus"he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling"145
8514021412oxymoron"Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. / Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, / That I shall say good night till it be morrow."146
8514021413personification"Pearl Button swung on the little gate in front of the House of Boxes. It was the early afternoon of a sunshiny day with little winds playing hide-and-seek in it."147
8514021414onomatopoeia"He saw nothing and heard nothing but he could feel his heart pounding and then he heard the clack on stone and the leaping, dropping clicks of a small rock falling."148
8514021415inverted syntax"Patience you must have, my young padawan."149
8514021416spatial description"In my pantry, coffee, tea powder, and sugar have been kept in the top shelf. Flour, canned food, and dry pasta are on the second shelf."150

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