eng11 vocab 1

coherence

The forming of a unified whole from disparate parts.

subtext

An underlying and often distinct theme in a piece of writing or conversation

hermeneutics

theory and methodology of interpretation, especially the interpretation of texts

iconoclastic

The impulse to tear down established and often cherished institutions and ideas.

surrealism

A 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature which sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of images

trope

A trope is a common convention in a particular medium, such as movies, comics, or literature

juxtaposition

Two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect

multivalence

The depth of text which allows for multiple or layered meanings.

aesthetic

concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty or a set of principles underlying a particular artist or artistic movement

effervescent

vivacious and enthusiastic; giving off bubbles

cognizant

knowledgeable of something especially through personal experience

listless

lacking energy or enthusiasm

coalesce

come together to form one mass or whole

appall

to overcome with consternation, shock, or dismay

caustic

able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action; sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way

incorrigible

not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed.

grueling

extremely tiring and demanding

prerequisite

a thing that is required as a prior condition for something else to happen or exist

arduous

involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring

didactic

intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive

copious

abundant in supply or quantity

surmise

suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it

whimsical

playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way

insurgent

a rebel or revolutionary

in media res

Latin phrase meaning “in the middle of things”. refers to a story beginning part way through its part (in writing and literature)

ab initio

a story that begins at a natural beginning, needs less background/flashbacks

chiasm

a story structure where two halves of the story form a mirror/parallelism (used more in poetry)

eucatastrophe

a sudden turn of events in a story which ensures that the protagonist does not meet some terrible, impending and plausible/probably doom