English Exam Vocabulary Words

Allusion

A brief, indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of significance

Euphemism

A mild or indirect expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt

Extended Metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things that is continued throughout a series of sentences of paragraphs

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements

Personification

Giving human qualities to non human objects

Simile

A comparison using like or as

Alliteration

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connect words

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phase at the beginning of successive clauses

Onomatopoeia

Words that imitate the natural sounds of a thing

Repetition

Using the same words of phrases multiple times to make an idea clearer

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well formed sentences

Auditory

Relates to sound

Gustatory

Relates to taste

Imagery

Visually descriptive or figurative language

Olfactory

Relates to smell

Visual

Relates to sight

Double Entendre

A word or phrase open to two interpretations

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something the characters do not

Paradox

A statement that seems self-contradictory but may reveal a latent truth

Pun

A joke exploding the different possible meanings of a word

Satire

The use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to expose and criticize peoples stupidity or vices

Aphorism

A pithy observation that contains a general truth (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it)

Epigram

A short, clever, and sometimes satirical statement

Foreshadowing

A warning or indication of a future event

Motif

A distinctive feature or dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition Sy

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities

Tone

The general character or attitude of a piece of writing