English 10 Honors Part 1 Glossary of Terms

allegory

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning.

alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words.

allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.

ambiguity

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

anadiplosis

The repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause.

analogy

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 (word or words) is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences.

anecdote

A short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode or event.

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

antimetabole/chiasmus

Rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures.

antithesis

A rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.

aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle.

apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction.

atmosphere

The emotional mood 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.

clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.

independent clause

A clause that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

dependent clause

A clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause.

colloquial/colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone. Colloquial expressions in writing include local or regional dialects.

coherence

A principle demanding that the parts of any composition be arranged so that the meaning of the whole may be immediately clear and intelligible. Words, phrases, clauses within the sentence; and sentences, paragraphs, and chapters in larger pieces of writing are the units that, by their progressive and logical arrangement, make for coherence.

concede

In an argument, to acknowledge an opposing view; to grant, recognize, or accept an idea counter to one's own.

conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. A conceit displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual comparison being made.

connotation

The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. Connotations may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes.

denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.

diction

Related to style, diction refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. You should be able to describe an author's diction (for example, formal or informal, ornate or plain) and understand the ways in which diction can complement the author's purpose. Diction, combined with syntax, figurative language, literary devices, etc., creates an author's style.

didactic

From the Greek, didactic literally means 'teaching.' Didactic works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

epistrophe

The opposite of anaphora, repetition at the end of successive clauses. 'They saw no evil, they spoke no evil, and they heard no evil.'

euphemism

From the Greek for 'good speech,' euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept. The euphemism may be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatement. Saying 'earthly remains' rather than 'corpse' is an example of euphemism.

exposition

In essays, one of the four chief types of composition, the others being argumentation, description, and narration. The purpose of exposition is to explain something. In drama, the exposition is the introductory material, which creates the tone, gives the setting, and introduces the characters and conflict.

extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.

figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

figure of speech

A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Figures of speech include apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.

generic conventions

This term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for example, they differentiate an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing. Try to distinguish the unique features of a writer's work from those dictated by convention.

genre

The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama. However, genre is a flexible term; within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called genres themselves. For example, prose can be divided into fiction (novels and short stories) or nonfiction (essays, biographies, autobiographies, etc.).

prose

Can be divided into fiction (novels and short stories) or nonfiction (essays, biographies, autobiographies, etc.).

poetry

Can be divided into lyric, dramatic, narrative, epic, etc.

drama

Can be divided into tragedy, comedy, melodrama, farce, etc.

homily

This term literally means 'sermon,' but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible.

hypotaxis

Text that exhibits subordination of one clause to another, or when the clauses are coordinated or subordinated to one another within sentences. Hypotaxis tends to have a formal, 'civilized' effect.

imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. It uses terms related to the five senses and can represent more than one thing.

inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. When a multiple-choice question asks for an inference to be drawn from a passage, the most direct, most reasonable inference is the safest answer choice.

invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

irony/ironic

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. There are three major types of irony: verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony.

litotes

A figure of speech that employs an understatement by using double negatives or a positive statement expressed by negating its opposite expressions.

loose sentence

A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.

metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.

metonymy

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.

mood

This term has two distinct technical meanings in English writing. The first meaning is grammatical and deals with verbal units and a speaker's attitude. The indicative mood is used only for factual sentences. The subjunctive mood is used to express conditions contrary to fact. The imperative mood is used for commands. The second meaning of mood is literary, meaning the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.

narrative

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.

onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.

oxymoron

From the Greek for "pointedly foolish," an oxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

paradox

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.

parallelism

Also referred to as parallel construction or parallel structure, this term refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.

parataxis

A rhetorical term in which phrases and clauses are placed one after another independently, without coordinating or subordinating them through the use of conjunctions.

parody

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.

periodic sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.

personification

A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.

point of view

The perspective from which a story is told, including first person and third person narrators.

first person narrator

A narrator who tells the story using the first person pronoun 'I' and is a character in the story.

third person narrator

A narrator who relates the events using third person pronouns 'he,' 'she,' and 'it.'

third person omniscient

A point of view where the narrator presents the thoughts and actions of any or all characters.

third person limited omniscient

A point of view that presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character.

predicate adjective

An adjective, group of adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject.

predicate nominative

A noun, group of nouns, or noun clause that renames the subject and follows a linking verb.

refute

To prove to be false; to counter an opposing view.

repetition

The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.

rhetoric

The principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

rhetorical modes

The variety, conventions, and purposes of the major kinds of writing.

argumentation

A rhetorical mode whose purpose is to prove the validity of an idea or point of view by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument.

persuasive writing

A type of argumentation that aims to urge some form of action.

description

A rhetorical mode whose purpose is to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action.

descriptive writing

Writing that engages all five senses and can be sensuous and picturesque; it may be straightforward and objective or highly emotional and subjective.

narration

The purpose of narration is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events, frequently using the tools of descriptive writing.

modes of discourse

The four writing modes that include descriptive writing, narration, and others.

sarcasm

Bitter, caustic language meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something, often using irony as a device.

satire

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions for reform or ridicule, recognized by devices like irony, wit, parody, caricature, hyperbole, understatement, and sarcasm.

semantics

The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.

style

The sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices, which can be classified and compared to reflect historical periods or literary movements.

subject complement

The word or clauses that follow a linking verb and complete the subject of the sentence by renaming or describing it.

subordinate clause

A word group that contains both a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone; it depends on a main clause to complete its meaning.

syllogism

A deductive system of formal logic presenting two premises that lead to a sound conclusion, such as: major premise: All men are mortal; minor premise: Socrates is a man; conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

Syllogisms

A form of reasoning in which a specific idea is presented first followed by a general idea.

symbol/symbolism

Anything that represents itself and stands for something else, usually a concrete object or action representing something more abstract.

Natural symbols

Objects and occurrences from nature that represent ideas commonly associated with them, such as dawn symbolizing hope.

Conventional symbols

Symbols that have been invested with meaning by a group, such as religious symbols like a cross or national symbols like a flag.

Literary symbols

Symbols found in various works that are generally recognized, but may have more complex meanings in specific works.

syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.

theme

The central idea or message of a work, offering insight into life.

thesis

The sentence or group of sentences in expository writing that expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.

tone

The author's attitude toward his material or audience, easier to determine in spoken language.

transition

A word or phrase that links different ideas, signaling a shift from one idea to another.

trope

An artful variation from expected modes of expression, involving a change of sense or use of a word in a non-literal sense.

understatement

The ironic minimizing of fact, presenting something as less significant than it is.

undertone

An attitude that may lie under the ostensible tone of the piece.

unreliable narrator

An untrustworthy or naïve commentator on events and characters in a story.

wit

Intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights, often using terse language for pointed statements.

zeugma

A trope where one word governs two other words not related in meaning.