TERMS APLANG

allegory

A 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 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.

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

antecedent

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

antithesis

The opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.

aphorism

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

apostrophe

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

atmosphere

The emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and description.

caricature

A verbal description that exaggerates or distorts a person's distinctive characteristics for comic effect.

clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb, with independent and dependent types.

colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing that provides a conversational tone.

conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy.

connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word, involving ideas or emotions.

denotation

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

diction

The writer’s word choices, particularly with respect to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

didactic

Having the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially moral or ethical principles.

euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.

extended metaphor

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

figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and aims for imaginative effect.

figure of speech

A device used to produce figurative language, including various types like metaphor and simile.

generic conventions

Traditions for each genre that help define it and differentiate it from others.

genre

The major category into which a literary work fits, such as prose, poetry, and drama.

homily

A serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement for effect.

imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, evoke, or represent abstractions.

inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from information presented.

invective

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

irony/ironic

The contrast between what is stated and what is really meant, or what appears to be and what actually is.

litotes

A form of understatement that affirms a point by denying its opposite.

loose sentence

A sentence structure where the main idea comes first, often creating an informal tone.

metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things.

metonymy

A figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for another closely associated with it.

mood

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 where natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.

oxymoron

A figure of speech that groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

paradox

A statement that appears self-contradictory but contains some degree of truth.

parallelism

The grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs for structural similarity.

anaphora

A subtype of parallelism with the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines.

parody

A work that imitates the style or content of another for comic effect or ridicule.

pedantic

Describes language that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.

periodic sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning at the end, often adding emphasis.

personification

A figure of speech where concepts, animals, or inanimate objects are given human attributes.

point of view

The perspective from which a story is told, with first and third person divisions.

prose

A major division of genre that refers to fiction and nonfiction in all forms.

repetition

The duplication of any element of language, such as a sound, word, or phrase.

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.

sarcasm

Bitter language designed to hurt or ridicule, often using irony.

satire

A work that targets human vices and follies for reform or ridicule.

semantics

The branch of linguistics studying the meaning of words and their relations.

style

The evaluation of an author's choices in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and literary devices.

subject complement

The word or clause that follows a linking verb and completes the subject of the sentence.

subordinate clause

A clause that cannot stand alone and depends on a main clause to complete its meaning.

syllogism

A deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises leading to a conclusion.

symbol/symbolism

Anything that represents itself and stands for something else, usually concrete representing abstract ideas.

synecdoche

A figure of speech where a part represents the whole or the whole represents a part.

synesthesia

When one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.

syntax

The way an author joins words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.

theme

The central idea or message of a work, often unstated in fictional works.

thesis

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

tone

The author's attitude toward his material, audience, or both.

transition

A word or phrase that links different ideas, signaling a shift.

understatement

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

wit

Intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights, suggesting verbal power.