english pat vocab

similie

comparing two things with “like” or “as”

metaphor

comparing two things without using “like” or “as”

hyperbole

an intentional, extreme exaggeration used to make a point, emphasize emotion, or add humor.

alliteration

a literary and rhetorical device defined by the repetition of the same consonant or vowel sounds at the beginning of closely connected words.

personification

a figure of speech in which non-human things—such as animals, objects, or abstract concepts—are given human characteristics, emotions, or behaviors.

onomatopoeia

the process of creating or using words that phonetically imitate, resemble, or suggest the sound they describe.

paradox

a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or scenario that, upon closer inspection, reveals an underlying truth or a valid logical foundation.

anecdote

a brief, personal story about an incident.

antonym

a word that has the exact opposite meaning of another word.

autobiographical

dealing with, relating to, or based on a person's own life and experiences.

cause & effect

the fundamental principle of causality where one event (the cause) directly initiates an action, and another event (the effect) follows as the result.

characterization

the process an author uses to develop and reveal a character’s personality, motives, and traits within a narrative.

cliché

an overused phrase, idea, or artistic element that has lost its original impact and sounds uncreative.

closure

the act of ending, shutting down, or finalizing something.

comedy

a broad genre designed to amuse, entertain, and typically induce laughter.

compare & contrast

to identify similarities between two or more things, while to contrast means to identify their differences.

conflict

an active disagreement or clash between two or more parties caused by mutually incompatible needs, goals, or principles.

description

a statement, account, or rhetorical mode that paints a picture of a subject in words.

dialogue

an interactive communication or conversation between two or more people.

entertainment

any activity, event, or media designed to hold an audience's attention, provide pleasure, and offer diversion from daily routines.

exaggeration

the act of making something seem larger, more dramatic, better, or worse than it truly is.

explanation

a statement, reason, or account designed to make a complex or unknown concept clear and easy to understand.

v

fable

a short, fictional story intended to teach a moral lesson.

fact vs. opinion

A fact is an objective, verifiable statement that can be proven true or false using evidence. An opinion is a subjective statement that expresses personal beliefs.

fiction

literature or any narrative created from the imagination rather than from fact or reality.

flashback

a sudden, vivid recollection of a past event.

footnote

a reference, explanation, or comment placed at the bottom of a printed or digital page.

foreshadowing

a narrative device used in storytelling to drop hints or clues about events that will happen later in the plot.

frame (in a cartoon)

a single individual image in an animated sequence or a single bordered panel in a comic strip.

historical genre

stories set in a specific, recognizable period in the past

humour

the cognitive ability to experience or express what is amusing, often resulting in laughter.

illustration

a visual representation—such as a drawing, painting, or digital rendering—designed to explain, clarify, or visually accompany a text, idea, or process

imagery / sensory imagery

descriptive language that appeals to the five physical senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch)

information

a broad term for knowledge, facts, or data that are communicated, studied, or gathered

instructional

something designed to teach, educate, or provide guidance on how to do or use something

irony

a contrast between expectation and reality

literal vs. figurative language

Literal language means exactly what it says, adhering strictly to dictionary definitions. Figurative language uses comparisons, exaggerations, or alterations to create imaginative, non-literal meanings that paint a mental picture

main purpose

represents the primary goal, fundamental reason, or core objective behind an action, concept, or document

message

the specific, actionable lesson or moral truth the author conveys to the reader

monologue

a prolonged, uninterrupted speech delivered by a single character

mood

the emotional atmosphere a text evokes in the reader