English Vocab - Unit 4

alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in 'she sells sea shells).

allusion

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

analogy

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

antithesis

The opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.

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.

connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.

denotation

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

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.

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. (The literal Greek meaning is 'overshoot.') Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, hyperbole produces irony. The opposite of hyperbole is understatement.

imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, imagery uses terms related to the five senses: visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory. On a broader and deeper level, however, one image can represent more than one thing. For example, a rose may present visual imagery while also representing the color in a woman's cheeks and/or symbolizing some degree of perfection. An author may use complex imagery while simultaneously employing other figures of speech, especially metaphor and simile. In addition, this term can apply to the total of all the images in a work. On the AP language exam, pay attention to how an author creates imagery and to the effect of this imagery.

irony/ironic

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true. Irony is often used to create poignancy or humor. In general, there are three major types of irony used in language: (1) verbal irony - when the words literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) meaning (2) situational irony - when events turn out the opposite of what was expected; when what the characters and readers think ought to happen is not what does happen (3) dramatic irony - when facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work.

metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful.

mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can affect the mood.

onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur.

oxymoron

A figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. Simple examples include 'jumbo shrimp' and 'cruel kindness.'

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

Refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.

anaphora

A sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.

parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

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.

Personification

Used to make abstractions, animals, or objects appear more vivid to the reader.

Point of view

In literature, the perspective from which a story is told.

First person narrator

Tells the story with the first person pronoun, 'I,' and is a character in the story.

Third person narrator

Relates the events with the third person pronouns, 'he,' 'she,' and 'it.'

Third person omniscient

The narrator presents the thoughts and actions of any or all characters.

Third person limited omniscient

The narrator presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character, presenting only the actions of all the remaining characters.

Author's point of view

The author's attitude.

Repetition

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

Rhetoric

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

Rhetorical modes

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

Exposition

The purpose is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.

Argumentation

The purpose is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion.

Description

The purpose is to recreate, invent, or visually present a person, place, event or action so that the reader can picture that being described.

Narration

The purpose is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events.

Sarcasm

Involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.

Satire

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

Symbol/Symbolism

Anything that represents itself and stands for something else.

Natural symbols

Objects and occurrences from nature to symbolize ideas commonly associated with them.

Conventional symbols

Symbols that have been invested with meaning by a group.

literary symbols

Found in a variety of works, more generally recognized. jungle in heart of darkness

synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa - referring to a boat as a sail

syntax

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

thesis

sentence or group of sentences that directly express the authors opinion, purpose, meanings or position

tone

A writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels. -playful, serious, sarcastic, formal, sardonic

Understatement

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

verbal irony

when the words literally state the opposite of the meaning

situational irony

when event turn out the opposite of what was expected

dramatic irony

when facts are unknown to a character but know to the reader/audience

theme

central idea of a message or work - insight it offers into life (stated in nonfiction - not stated in fiction)