Vocab set 7

Allusion (n.) / Allegory (n.) / Allegorical (adj.) / Allude (v)

Reference to something in art, music, movies, literature, culture, history, etc.

Appositive (n.)

A word or group of words placed beside a noun or noun substitute to supplement its meaning.

Contrived (adj.)

Having an unnatural or false appearance or quality; sounding forced, fake or insincere

Evoke (v.)/ Evocative (adj.)

To bring a memory, feeling or image to mind; to conjur

Imply (v.)/ Implied (adj.) / Insinuate (v.)

To hint at, suggest; involved, indicated, or suggested without being directly or explicitly stated; tacitly understood

Nostalgia (n.) / Nostalgic (adj.)

Feeling of both pleasure and sadness that is caused by remembering something from the past and wishing that you could experience it again

Paradox (n.) / Paradoxical (adj.)

A seemingly contradictory situation which is actually true.

Parody (n.)

An exaggerated imitation of a serious work for humorous purposes. It borrows words or phrases from an original, and pokes fun at it.

Satire (n.)

A work that reveals a critical attitude toward some element of life to a humorous effect. It targets human vices and follies, or social institutions and conventions. Good satire usually has three layers: serious on the surface; humorous when you discover that it is satire instead of reality; and serious when you discern the underlying point of the author.

Pedantic (adj.)

words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.

Sarcasm (n) / Sarcastic (adj.)

Use of words that mean opposite of what you really want to say, especially in order to insult someone, to show irritation or to be funny

Strident (adj.)

Expressing opinions or criticism in a very forceful and often annoying or unpleasant way; harsh-sounding

Understatement (n.)

The ironic minimizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is. The effect can frequently be humorous.

Parenthetical Elements (n.)

Though not essential to understanding what they are describing, parenthetical elements interrupt sentences to provide additional information that may address an audience’s needs and/or advance a writer’s purpose. It is almost considered an aside...a whisper, and should be used sparingly for effect, rather than repeatedly. Parentheses can also be used to set off dates and numbers.

Whimsical (adj.)

Unusual in a playful, amusing way; fanciful and lighthearted