English Terms

Allusion

A brief reference to a famous person, event, place, or work of art or literature. Authors use ____ to add deeper meaning, connect ideas, or evoke emotions without directly explaining the reference.

Anecdote

A short, personal story told to make a point, explain an idea, or engage the audience emotionally. It often reveals something about the author’s perspective or supports an argument through experience.

Appeals

The persuasive techniques an author uses to influence an audience.

• Logos relies on logic, evidence, and reasoning.

• Pathos appeals to emotion, values, or sympathy.

• Ethos builds trust through credibility or character.

Argue

To present a position and support it with reasons, logic, and evidence. In analysis, this shows how an author develops and defends a viewpoint.

Assertion

A confident statement of belief or opinion. It’s usually presented as fact and later supported with reasoning or evidence.

Audience

The intended readers or listeners of a text. Writers adjust tone, style, and detail based on the audience’s background, values, and expectations.

Challenge

To question or oppose another argument or claim. Authors challenge ideas to point out weaknesses, flaws, or alternative viewpoints.

Clarify

To make something clearer or easier to understand, often by rephrasing, giving examples, or adding explanation.

Commentary

The writer’s own explanation or interpretation that connects evidence to the main claim. It shows understanding, insight, and reasoning beyond just quoting evidence.

Comparison

A method of showing how two or more things share similarities. Writers use comparisons to reveal patterns, highlight themes, or strengthen arguments.

Conclusion

The final section or thought that wraps up a text or argument. It reinforces the main idea, summarizes key points, and leaves the reader with a final impression.

Context

The background or situation that gives meaning to something. This includes the time period, author’s purpose, audience, or surrounding text that influences interpretation.

Contradiction

When two ideas, statements, or situations directly oppose each other. Writers use ______ to show complexity, irony, or internal conflict.

Contrast

A technique that highlights the differences between two or more subjects. It’s often used to make one idea stand out or to emphasize opposing qualities.

Counterpoint

A contrasting argument or perspective that challenges the main idea. It helps balance discussion or show awareness of multiple sides of an issue.

Development

The way an author builds an idea throughout a text. This can involve adding details, examples, reasoning, or analysis to make the idea stronger or more complete.

Distinguish

To recognize or show how two or more things differ. In reading analysis, it helps identify shifts in tone, perspective, or argument.

Exemplification

The use of specific examples to explain or prove a point. It strengthens an argument by making abstract ideas concrete and relatable.

Explain

To make an idea clear and understandable by describing its parts, reasons, or effects. Writers explain to help readers see connections or grasp meaning.

Extended Metaphor

A long or continuing comparison between two unlike things that runs through multiple sentences or paragraphs. It creates a deeper, more layered meaning or theme.

Generalization 

A broad statement that applies to many people or things, sometimes oversimplifying. Authors may use or challenge generalizations to explore truth or bias.

Identify

To recognize and name something specific, such as a technique, tone, or theme. It’s a skill used to describe what’s happening in a text precisely.

Illustration

An example or story used to clarify or explain an idea. It adds vividness or realism to help readers understand a concept more easily.

Imply vs. Infer

Imply means the writer suggests something indirectly; Infer means the reader draws a conclusion from hints or evidence. The two work together in reading comprehension.

Juxtaposition

The placement of two contrasting ideas, characters, or images side by side to highlight their differences or create a striking effect. It often deepens meaning or tension.

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things, saying one is the other (ex: “Her heart was stone”). It deepens meaning by connecting ideas emotionally or symbolically.

Narrative

A story that follows a sequence of events, either real or imagined. Look for elements like characters, conflict, and a point of view

Parody

A humorous imitation of a serious style or subject to criticize or entertain. It exaggerates traits to expose flaws or absurdity.

Pronoun Reference

The noun that a pronoun (he, she, it, they) refers to. Clear pronoun references avoid confusion about who or what is being discussed.

Purpose

The author’s reason for including something in a text — whether it’s to persuade, entertain, describe, or reveal a deeper theme.

Qualify (an argument)

To modify or limit a claim by acknowledging exceptions or conditions (ex: “Usually true, but not always”). Shows balanced reasoning.

Reader

The person interpreting the text. Writers shape tone, structure, and language with a specific type of reader in mind.

Refutation

When an author directly counters or disproves an opposing idea to strengthen their own argument.

Rhetoric

The art of using language effectively and persuasively. Includes choices in diction, tone, structure, and appeals to logic, emotion, or ethics.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for effect, not for an actual answer. It makes readers think or emphasizes a point (ex: “Who doesn’t want freedom?”).

Rhetorical Situation

The overall context of a text: speaker, audience, purpose, and occasion. Understanding this helps reveal why and how something was written.

Shift

A noticeable change in tone, focus, mood, or perspective. Often signaled by transition words (“however,” “but”) or changes in diction.

Simile

A comparison using “like” or “as” (ex: “Her smile was like sunshine”). It creates imagery and helps readers visualize meaning.

Speaker

The voice delivering the message in a text — not always the author. The speaker’s personality, tone, and perspective shape the meaning.

Supporting a Claim

Giving evidence, facts, reasoning, or examples to prove an argument’s validity. Strong support makes an argument credible.

Theme

The central message or insight about life, society, or human nature that the text communicates. It’s often implied rather than stated directly.

Thesis

The main argument or claim that controls the whole text. It states what the author believes and intends to prove.

Writer

The actual author who creates the text and makes rhetorical choices to achieve a purpose or effect on the audience.