tone-style descriptors (language words)

ap lang 24-25

Artificial

made by humans to seem natural

Bombastic

words given exaggerated importance by artificial or empty means

Colloquial

familiar or informal conversation; casual

Concrete

naming a real thing (poem is concrete, poetry is abstract)

Connotative

relating to connotation

Cultured

produced under artificial conditions

Detached

free from prejudice or self-interest; not-caring; cold

Emotional

relating to emotion; prone to emotion; arousing emotion

Esoteric

difficult to understand; designed for a specific person/people to understand

Euphemistic

politer way of saying something (passed away instead of died)

Exact

precise; detailed

Figurative

does not use a word's strict or realistic meaning

Formal

done in accordance with the rules

Grotesque

comically or repulsively ugly or distorted

Homespun

homemade; simple/unsophisticated

Idiomatic

peculiar to a particular group, individual, style (up in the air instead of undecided)

Informal

absence of formality/ceremony

Insipid

lacking in qualities that interest (or lacking in taste/flavor)

Jargon

terms of a specific activity or group; showy language

Learned

having much knowledge acquired by study/learning

Literal

free from exaggeration

Moralistic

having a moral attitude; expressive of a concern with morality

Obscure

dark/dim; not clear or easily understood/distinguished; remote/secluded; not famous

Obtuse

lacking sharpness; insensitive; stupid

Ordinary

routine; usual

Pedantic

unimaginative; dull; being a perfectionist who makes a big deal out of knowing obscure facts/details

Picturesque

suggesting a painted scene; charming in appearance

Plain

undecorated; pure

Poetic

relating to poetry or having the qualities of poetry (aesthetic/emotional impact)

Precise

exactly/sharply defined or stated; strictly conforming to a pattern

Pretentious

acting like you're more important/knowledgeable than you actually are

Provincial

belonging to a province outside the city; limited in outlook/lacking the polish of urban society

Scholarly

serious student; learned; academic

Sensuous

appealing to the senses

Simple

innocent; modest; easy; uncomplicated

Slang

informal language that's often vulgar

Symbolic

using, employing, or exhibiting a symbol (representing something abstract)

Trite

boring from too much use, not fresh or original

Vulgar

distasteful, morally crude or gross, offensive; general/common; pretentious