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Allegory
The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. TERM 2
Alliteration
DEFINITION 2 The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonants in tow or more neighboring words TERM 3
Allusion
DEFINITION 3 A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. TERM 4
Ambiguity
DEFINITION 4 The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage. TERM 5
Analogy
DEFINITION 5 A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.
Anaphora
One of the devices of repetition, in which the same expression isrepeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences TERM 7
Anecdote
DEFINITION 7 A short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode or event. The term most frequently refers to an incident in the life of a person TERM 8
Antecedent
DEFINITION 8 The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun TERM 9
Antithesis
DEFINITION 9 Figure of balance in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed, usually through parallel structure TERM 10
Aphorism
DEFINITION 10 A terse statement of know authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle
Colloquail
the use of slang or informalities in speech or writin TERM 17
Coherence
DEFINITION 17 A principle demanding that the parts of any composition be arranged so that the meaning of the whole may be immediately clear and intelligible TERM 18
Conceit
DEFINITION 18 A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects TERM 19
Connotation
DEFINITION 19 the nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning TERM 20
Denotation
DEFINITION 20 The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion attitude, or color
Diction
Related to style, diction refers to the writers word choices, expecially with regard to their correctness TERM 22
Didactic
DEFINITION 22 Primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles TERM 23
Enumeratio
DEFINITION 23 Figure of amplification in which a subject is divided into constituent parts or det TERM 24
Expletive
DEFINITION 24 Figure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase, usually interrupting normal speech, is used to lend emphasis to the words on either side of the expletive TERM 25
Euphemism
DEFINITION 25 a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept
Genre
The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama. TERM 32
Homily
DEFINITION 32 can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice TERM 33
Hyperbole
DEFINITION 33 A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. TERM 34
Hypophora
DEFINITION 34 Figure of reasoning in which one or more questions is/are asked and then answered TERM 35
Imagery
DEFINITION 35 The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouseemotion, or represent abstractions.
Inference
to draw a reasonable conclusion from the information present TERM 37
Invective
DEFINITION 37 an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attach using srong, abusive language TERM 38
Irony
DEFINITION 38 The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant TERM 39
Juxaposition
DEFINITION 39 When two words, phrases, images, ideas are placed close together or side by side for comparison or contrast TERM 40
Litotes
DEFINITION 40 a figure of thought which a point is affirmed by negating its opposite
Onomatopoeia
A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. TERM 47
Oxymoron
DEFINITION 47 a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms TERM 48
Paradox
DEFINITION 48 A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity. TERM 49
Parallelosm
DEFINITION 49 refers to the grammatical or rhetorical fraiming of words,sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similariy TERM 50
Parody
DEFINITION 50 A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule
Pedantic
An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish TERM 52
Periodic Sentence
DEFINITION 52 A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at theend. TERM 53
Personification
DEFINITION 53 A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions TERM 54
Point of View
DEFINITION 54 the perspective from which a story is told. TERM 55
Predicate Adjective
DEFINITION 55 One type of subject complement is an adjective, group of adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb. It is an the predicate of the sentence, and modifies, or describes, the subje
Rhetorical Questions
differs from hypophora in that it is not answered by the writer because its answer is obvious or obviously desired, and usually just a yes or no answer would suffice TERM 62
Sarcasm
DEFINITION 62 bitter language intended to ridicule someone or something. TERM 63
Satire
DEFINITION 63 A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. TERM 64
Semantics
DEFINITION 64 The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another TERM 65
Style
DEFINITION 65 An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices
Subject Complement
The word or clauses that follows a linking verb and complements, or completes, the subject of the sentence TERM 67
Subordinate clause
DEFINITION 67 Like all clauses, this word group contains both a subject and a verb but unlike the independent clause, the subordinate clause cannot stand alone TERM 68
Symbolism
DEFINITION 68 Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else TERM 69
Synecdoche
DEFINITION 69 is a type of metaphor in which the part stands for the whole TERM 70
Syntax
DEFINITION 70 The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentence
Wit
in modern usage, intellectually amazing language that surprises and delight
