EVERYTHING

1) Academic

Literary

1) Sophisticated

To impress

2) Colloquial

Informal

Everyday use

2) Slang

Impolite

Newly coined word

3) Abstract

General

Conceptual

3) Concrete

Specific

3) Connotation

Implied/suggested

3) Denotation

Dictionary definition

3) Jargon

Certain professions

Sports

Specific group

3) Vernacular

Standard language by country

3) Old-fashioned

“Going steady” vs “Going out”

Concession

Admitting to the validity of the other side

Refutation

Acknowledging your opponent’s argument (counterargument) then challenging

Allegory

Longish story, the element of which (characters, setting, etc) contribute to commentary on politics, society, morality, etc.

Parable

A short allegory (they teach morals)

Aphorism

Pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”

Cacophony

Words that sound harsh; can be subjective

Epigraph

The use of a quote at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme

Euphemism / Euphemistically

Metaphors used to describe things that are unpleasant or don’t sound pleasant

Euphony / Euphonious

Words that are pleasant to the ear (usually grouped together)

Paradox

A statement that appears to contradict itself, but turns out to have a rational meaning

Oxymoron

Two words/phrases with opposite meanings

Syllogism

A form of reason where a conclusion is drawn from a major premise and minor premise

Condescending

Belittling language

Didactic

Teaching a moral/lesson

Euphemistic

Polite/indirect expression

Ironic

Contrast between stated and meaning

Pedantic

Academic/scholarly

Satirical

Humor, irony, exaggeration (criticize)

Whimsical

Light-hearted/imaginative

Ethos

Ethics

Credibility

How author presents themself

Ethos (look for)

Credentials

Quotes

Convince

Religion (Ethos)

Follow rules and behavior of faith

Patriotism (Ethos)

One’s country before personal needs

Standards (Ethos)

Something is ethical

Humanitarianism (Ethos)

Personal history reflect good deeds

Logos

Logic

Reason

Logos (look for)

Facts, statistics, research

Evidence

Comparison

Juxtaposition

Test results

Pathos

Emotion

Vivid language

Audience’s emotions

Pathos (look for)

Empathy, nostalgia, sympathy

Emotional language

Anecdote

Literary device

Occasion/Context

Time, place, and climate

Exigence

What is compelling the author to write

Speaker

Voice of text

Audience

Intended receiver of the text

Purpose

Goal of the text

Subject

Content of the text

Message

Takeaway of the text

Alliteration

Repetition of consonant sounds

Simile

A direct comparison of unlike things using “like” or “as”

Metaphor

An indirect comparison of unlike things

Symbolism

The use of a physical object, character, or setting to represent an abstract idea or to parallel a character; colors can be also symbolic

Hyperbole

A deliberate exaggeration for effort

Analogy

Comparing 2 things that have at least one thing in common

Allusion

An indirect reference to people, places, event, or thing in history, work of art or literature

Most common are biblical allusions, references to the characters and stories of the Bible

Juxtaposition

Putting images/words/ideas side by side in order to CONTRAST them

Rhetorical Question

Q question that expects no answer (obvious or implied)

Repetition

Repeating a word, phrase, images, or idea

Parallel Structure

Repetition of words/phrases/ideas in which each item in the series is grammatically equal

Anaphora

Repetition of word/phrase at the beginning of successive sentences of clauses

Antithesis

Contrasting or opposing ideas in adjacent (usually parallel) phrases, clauses, or sentences

Understatement

When an author assigns less significance to an event or thing than it deserves