College Writing: Rhetoric & Literary Terms

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering rhetoric and literary terms, their definitions, origins, and illustrative examples.

allegory

Using a character and/or story element symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning (e.g., personifying hope or freedom). Usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence.

alliteration

Repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds, in two or more neighboring words ("she sells sea shells"). Can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, or supply a musical sound.

allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something presumably commonly known: an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Can be historical, literary, religious, or mythical.

ambiguity

The multiple meaning, intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. Explains something unfamiliar by pointing out its similarity to something more familiar; can make writing vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging.

anaphora

The purposeful repetition of words at the beginning of successive clauses.

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

antithesis

Balancing contrasting ideas, or contrast in the meanings of contiguous phrases or clauses, emphasized by parallelism in the syntax.

aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship that expresses a general truth or moral principle. (If authorship is unknown, it's a folk proverb.) A memorable summation of the author's point.

apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction (liberty, love). Adds familiarity or emotional intensity. Ex: Wordsworth addressing Milton, "Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour."

assonance

The repetition of the same vowel sound within nearby words. Ex: "The pool was cool, almost cold."

atmosphere

The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by setting and partly by the author's choice of objects described. Frequently foreshadows events. See mood.

cacophony

Unpleasant or harsh-sounding words.

clause

A grammatical unit containing both a subject and a verb. An independent (main) clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone; a dependent (subordinate) clause cannot stand alone and must be accompanied by an independent clause.

colloquial / colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing; gives a work a conversational, familiar tone. Includes local or regional dialects.

conceit

A fanciful expression, usually an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. Displays intellectual cleverness due to the unusual comparison.

connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. May involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes. See denotation.

consonance

The repetition of internal consonant sounds. Ex: "The atmosphere was thick, dark and smoky."

denotation

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

diction

The writer's word choices, especially regarding correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. Describe as formal/informal, ornate/plain. Combined with syntax, figurative language, and literary devices, it creates an author's style.

didactic

From the Greek for "teaching." Works with the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially moral or ethical principles.

enjambment

In poetry, a line that doesn't stop at the end but spills over into the next line.

euphemism

From the Greek for "good speech." A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept; used for social/political correctness, humor, or ironic understatement. Ex: "earthly remains" instead of "corpse."

euphony

Agreeable or pleasant-sounding words or language.

extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.

figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

figure of speech

A device used to produce figurative language; many compare dissimilar things. Includes apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, understatement.

generic conventions

Traditions for each genre that help define it; e.g., they differentiate an essay from journalistic writing, or an autobiography from political writing.

genre

The major category into which a literary work fits: prose, poetry, and drama (with many subdivisions, e.g., fiction/nonfiction; tragedy/comedy).

homily

Literally "sermon"; more informally, any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Often comic, but can be serious; often produces irony at the same time.

imagery

Sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. Includes visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory imagery. One image can represent more than one thing.

inference / infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. If something is directly stated, it is not an inference.

invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

irony / ironic

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant; what appears to be and what is actually true. Three types: verbal, situational, dramatic.

verbal irony

Irony in which the words literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) true meaning.

situational irony

Irony in which events turn out the opposite of what was expected; what characters and readers think ought to happen is not what does happen.

dramatic irony

Irony in which facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience, or other characters. Often used for poignancy or humor.

litotes

Understatement created by negating the opposite. Ex: "not unlike," "not a small victory," "That's not entirely accurate" a figure of speech and form of irony to emphasize a point by stating a negative to affirm a positive

loose sentence

A sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units. Often seems informal, relaxed, and conversational. See periodic sentence.

metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. Makes writing vivid, imaginative, thought-provoking, and meaningful. usually meant to create a likeness

metonymy

From the Greek for "changed label." A figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. Ex: "the White House declared" instead of "the President declared."

mood

(1) Grammatical: indicative (facts), subjunctive (doubtful/conditional), imperative (commands). (2) Literary: the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work; similar to tone and atmosphere.

motif

A recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature.

narrative

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.

onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Ex: buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, murmur.

oxymoron

From the Greek for "pointed foolish." A figure of speech that groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. Ex: "jumbo shrimp," "cruel kindness."

paradox

A statement that appears self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth. Ex: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" (Macbeth).

parallelism

Parallel construction/structure: the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. Ex: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…" (A Tale of Two Cities). Adds emphasis, organization, or musical rhythm.

parody

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

pedantic

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

periodic sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end, preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. Ex: "Ecstatic with my AP scores, I let out a loud shout of joy!" Adds emphasis and structural variety. See loose sentence.

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. Makes them appear more vivid to the reader.

point of view

The perspective from which a story is told. First person (narrator uses "I"; protagonist, participant, or observer) or third person (omniscient or limited omniscient). In essay analysis, it often means the author's attitude.

third person omniscient

Narrator with godlike knowledge presents the thoughts and actions of any or all characters.

third person limited omniscient

Narrator presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character and the actions of all remaining characters.

predicate adjective

A type of subject complement: an adjective (or group/clause) that follows a linking verb and describes the subject. Ex: "My boyfriend is tall, dark, and handsome."

predicate nominative

A type of subject complement: a noun (or group/clause) that follows a linking verb and renames the subject. Ex: "Abe Lincoln was a man of integrity."

prose

One of the major divisions of genre; fiction and nonfiction in all forms, written in ordinary language resembling everyday speech. Anything that isn't poetry or drama.

repetition

The duplication, exact or approximate, of any element of language (sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, grammatical pattern). Poorly done it bores; well done it links and emphasizes ideas while giving the comfort of familiarity.

rhetoric

From the Greek for "orator." The principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

rhetorical modes

The varieties, conventions, and purposes of the major kinds of writing: exposition, argumentation (including persuasion), description, and narration. Also called modes of discourse.

exposition

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

argumentation

Rhetorical mode whose purpose is to prove the validity of an idea or point of view by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument. Persuasive writing adds the aim of urging some form of action.

description

Rhetorical mode whose purpose is to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so the reader can picture it. May engage all five senses; can be objective or highly emotional.

narration

Rhetorical mode whose purpose is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events; frequently uses tools of descriptive writing.

rhythm

The pattern or sound of a line, based on stressed and unstressed elements.

sarcasm

From the Greek for "to tear flesh." Bitter, caustic language meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. May use irony, but not all ironic statements are sarcastic. When well done it is witty and insightful; when poorly done it's simply cruel.

satire

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. Best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose. Uses irony, wit, parody, caricature, hyperbole, understatement, and sarcasm.

semantics

The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.

style

(1) Evaluation of the sum of choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other devices (flowery, succinct, rambling, bombastic, laconic, etc.). (2) Classification of authors into groups/periods/movements (Renaissance, Victorian, romantic, realist).

subject complement

The word or clause that follows a linking verb and completes the subject by renaming it (predicate nominative) or describing it (predicate adjective).

subordinate clause

A clause with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone and does not express a complete thought; depends on a main clause. Also called a dependent clause. Begins with words like although, because, unless, if, even though, since, while, when, where, that.

syllogism

From the Greek for "reckoning together." A deductive system of formal logic presenting two premises (major and minor) that lead to a conclusion. Ex: All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates is mortal.

symbol / symbolism

Anything that represents or stands for something else; usually something concrete (object, action, character, scene) representing something more abstract. Categories: natural, conventional, and literary symbols.

synecdoche

A figure of speech in which the part represents the whole. Ex: In "Hotel California," California is used to represent America.

syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Similar to diction, but refers to groups of words while diction refers to individual words.

theme

The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life. Usually unstated in fiction, but may be directly stated in nonfiction.

thesis

In expository writing, the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition.

tone

Similar to mood; the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both. Examples: playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, ornate, somber.

transition

A word or phrase that links different ideas; signals a shift from one idea to another. Ex: furthermore, consequently, nevertheless, for example, in addition, likewise, similarly, on the contrary.

understatement

The ironic minimalizing of fact; presents something as less significant than it is. Often humorous and emphatic. The opposite of hyperbole.

wit

In modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. Usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement. Originally meant basic understanding, then speed of understanding, then (early 1600s) quick perceptions including creative fancy.

attitude

A writer's intellectual position or emotion regarding the subject of the writing. In analysis essays, expect to identify the writer's attitude and how language conveys it.

concrete detail

Details and evidence that relate to the topic. May come from the passage or from your own life (reading, observation, experience). (Strictly, "concrete" nouns name physical objects.)

descriptive detail

Look for the writer's sensory description. Visual detail is usually most predominant, but don't overlook other sensory detail. Analyze its effect.

devices

The figures of speech, syntax, diction, and other stylistic elements that collectively produce a particular artistic effect.

language

When asked to "analyze the language," concentrate on how diction, syntax, figurative language, and sentence structure combine to form a whole and create a cumulative effect.

narrative devices

The tools of the storyteller (also used in nonfiction), such as ordering events to build to a climax or withholding information until a crucial moment. May also apply to biographical and autobiographical writing.

narrative technique

The style of telling the "story," even if the passage is nonfiction. Concentrate on the order of events and their detail in evaluating a writer's technique.

persuasive devices

Words in the passage with strong connotations or that intensify emotional effect. Analyze how they complement the writer's argument as it builds logically. Speeches often use them.

persuasive essay

A coherent argument in which evidence builds to a logical and relevant conclusion. Strong ones often appeal to the audience's emotions or ethical standards.

resources of language

All the devices of composition available to a writer, such as diction, syntax, sentence structure, and figures of speech.

rhetorical features

The tools of rhetoric, such as tone, diction, and imagery.

rhetorical structure

How a passage is constructed: its organization and how the writer combines images, details, or arguments to serve his or her purpose.

sentence structure

The types of sentences an author uses (simple, compound, complex), variations from sentence combining, variation in length, and unusual devices (repetition, inverted word order). Be prepared to discuss the effect (e.g., short simple sentences create speed and choppiness).

stylistic devices

All elements in language that contribute to style: diction, syntax, tone, attitude, figures of speech, connotations, and repetition.