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11924459900Cumulative (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
11924459901Periodic Sentencea sentence that, by leaving the completion of its main clause to the end, produces an effect of suspense.1
11924459902Litotes/Understatementa figure of speech in which a negative statement is used to affirm a positive statement.2
11924459903Warrantexpresses the assumption necessarily shared by the speaker and the audience.3
11924459904Ethosan appeal to ethics and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader.4
11924459905Pathosan appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response.5
11924459906Logosan appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason.6
11924459908SyllogismA logical structure that uses the major premise and minor premise to reach a necessary conclusion.7
11924459912Deductiona logical process wherein you reach a conclusion by starting with a general principle or universal truth (a major premise).8
11924459913Equivocationa fallacy of argument in which a lie is given the appearance of truth, or in which the truth is misrepresented in deceptive language.9
11924459914Refutationa denial of the validity of an opposing argument.10
11924459915Dictiona speaker's choice of words. Analysis of diction looks at these choices and what they add to the speaker's message.11
11924459916Similea figure of speech used to explain or clarify an idea by comparing it explicitly to something else, using words like, as, or as though.12
11924459917Metaphorfigure of speech that compares two unlike things without using like or as.13
11924459918Anaphorathe intentional repetition of beginning clauses in order to create an artistic effect.14
11924459919Rhetoricit is the art of finding ways of persuading an audience.15
11924459920Rhetorical Trianglespeaker-subject-audience16
11924459921Allusionbrief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) to to a work of art.17
11924459922Hyperboledeliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or to produce a comic or ironic effect; an overstatement to make a point.18
11924459923Personificationattribution of a lifelike quality to an inanimate object or an idea.19
11924459924Asyndetonomission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.20
11924459925Polysyndetonthe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses or words.21
11924459926Parallelismsimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.22
11924459927Antithesisopposition, or contrast or ideas or words in a parallel construction.23
11924459928Enumerationto mention separately as if in counting; name one by one; specify, as in list24
11924459929Rhetorical 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?25
11924459930Chiasmusthe reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases. Ex.) He went to the country, the country went to him.26
11924459931RebuttalIn the Toulon model, a rebuttal gives voice to possible objections.27
11924459932Fallacy of Argumenta flaw in the structure of an argument that renders its conclusion invalid or suspect.28
11924459933Bandwagon Appeala fallacy of argument in which a course of action is recommended on the grounds that everyone else is following it.29
11924459934Begging the Questiona fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the very grounds that are in doubt or dispute.30
11924459935Anecdotea brief story used to illustrate a point or claim.31
11924459936Modes of DisclosureExposition- illustrates a point Narration- tells a story Description- creates a sensory image Argumentation- takes a position on an issue and defends it.32
11924459938Contrast/ 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 Combination33
11924459939Cause and Effectestablishes a relationship: B is the result of A.34
11924459940Classificationseparates items into major categories and details the characteristics of each group is placed within the category.35
11924459944Imagerywriting 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.36
11924459946either/or fallacya 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.37
11924459947False authoritya fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the expertise of someone who lacks appropriate credentials.38
11924459948post hoc ergo propter hoca fallacy of argument making the unwarranted assumption that because one event follows another, the first event causes the second.39
11924459949Hasty generalizationa fallacy of argument in which an inference is drawn from insufficient data.40
11924459950Non sequitora fallacy of argument in which claims, reasons, or warrants fail to connect logically; one point doesn't follow from another.41
11924459969AllegoryThe 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.42
11924459970AlliterationThe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in "she sells sea shells").43
11924459971AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.44
11924459972AmbiguityThe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.45
11924459973AnalogyA similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.46
11924459974AntecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.47
11924459975Antithesisthe opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.48
11924459976AphorismA 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.)49
11924459977ApostropheA 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.50
11924459979Caricaturea verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics.51
11924459981Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.52
11924459983ConnotationThe non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.53
11924459984DenotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.54
11924459985DictionRelated to style, diction refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.55
11924459986DidacticFrom the Greek, didactic literally means "teaching."56
11924459987EuphemismFrom the Greek for "good speech," a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept - POLITICALLY CORRECT57
11924459988Extended MetaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.58
11924459989Figurative LanguageWriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid59
11924459990Figure 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 understatement60
11924459993HyperboleA figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (The literal Greek meaning is "overshoot.")61
11924459994ImageryThe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.62
11924459995Inference/inferTo draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.63
11924459996Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.64
11924459997Irony/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.65
11924459998Loose 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.66
11924459999MetaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.67
11924460000MetonymyA figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.68
11924460001MoodThe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.69
11924460003onomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.70
11924460004OxymoronOxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.71
11924460005ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.72
11924460006Parallelismthe use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc.73
11924460007ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.74
11924460009Periodic sentenceThe opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.75
11924460010PersonificationA figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.76
11924460011Point of viewIn literature, the perspective from which a story is told.77
11924460014RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.78
11924460015SarcasmInvolves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.79
11924460016SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.80
11924460017Subordinate 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.81
11924460018SyllogismA 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.82
11924460019Symbol/symbolismGenerally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else.83
11924460020SyntaxThe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.84
11924460021ThemeThe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.85
11924460022ThesisThe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.86
11924460023ToneDescribes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.87
11924460024TransitionA 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.88
11924460025Understatementthe ironic minimalizing of fact; presents something as less significant than it is.89
11924460026Witin modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights.90
11924460027Slippery SlopeThis is the failure to provide evidence to support a claim that one event will lead to a catastrophic chain of events.91
11924460028straw manWhen a writer argues against a claim that nobody actually holds or is universally considered weak.92
11924460029EthosAn 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.93
11924460030JuxtapositionMaking on idea more dramatic by placing it next to its opposite.94
11924460031LogosAn appeal to reason.95
11924460032PathosAn appeal to emotion.96
11924460033Rhetorical QuestionA question whose answer is assumed.97
11924460034SimileA 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.98
11924460035rhetorical 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.99
11924460036descriptive detailWhen an essay uses this phrase, look for the writer's sensory description.100
11924460037devicesThe figures of speech, syntax, diction, and other stylistic elements that collectively produce a particular artistic effect.101
11924460038narrative 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.102
11924460039narrative 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.103
11924460040Ad hominem argumentAn argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue104
11924460041AnaphoraFigure 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 clauses105
11924460042AnecdoteA brief story that illustrates or makes a point106
11924460043Appeal 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.107
11924460044Argumentationone 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.108
11924460045AssonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity109
11924460046AsyndetonA series of words separated by commas (with no conjunction).110
11924460047toneA speaker's, author's, or character's disposition toward or opinion of a subject.111
11924460050Begging the questionOften called circular reasoning, __ occurs when the believability of the evidence depends on the believability of the claim.112
11924459951understatement"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 Rye113
11924459952parallelism"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy114
11924459953allusionThe rise in poverty will unlock the Pandora's box of crimes.115
11924459954hyperbole"I'll love you, dear, I'll love you/Till China and Africa meet,/And the river jumps over the mountain"116
11924459955aphorism"Having nothing, nothing can he lose."117
11924459956metonymy"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act I118
11924459958antithesis"To err is human; to forgive divine." Alexander Pope "An Essay on Criticism"119
11924459959euphemism"I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs." William Shakespeare Othello120
11924459960periodic sentenceIn spite of heavy snow and cold temperatures, the game continued.121
11924459961paradox"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." -Gandhi122
11924459962alliteration"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."123
11924459963chiasmus"he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling"124
11924459964oxymoron"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."125
11924459965personification"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."126
11924459966onomatopoeia"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."127
11924459967inverted syntax"Patience you must have, my young padawan."128
11924459968spatial 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."129

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