Accelerated English 10 Terms Final

Allusion

an implied or indirect reference in literature to a familiar person, place, thing, event, etc.

Verbal Irony

when one means the opposite of what he/she says—verbal irony creates a sarcastic tone

Dramatic Irony

when the audience knows more than the characters in a work

Situational Irony

an action or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result

Metaphor

comparison between two unlike things where no words of comparison are used

Simile

a comparison using "like" or "as"

Hyperbole

an exaggeration or overstatement

Literary Non-fiction

non fiction that uses literary elements—biography, travel, memoir, blogs, some historical writing

Author's Purpose (Macro)

to inform, entertain, persuade or convince

Author's Purpose (Micro)

a message/idea/concept/philosophy of some import that the author subtly imparts to the reader; this message is something the author wants you to take from the work

Allegory

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one

Paradox

something that appears contradictory but is actually true

Symbolism

the use of an object to represent an idea

Point of View

1st/2nd/3rd limited/3rd omniscient perspective from which a story is told

Tone

the attitude of the author toward the audience, characters or subject of the work itself (expressed as an adjective)

Mood

the way an audience feels during reading: the prevailing emotions or atmosphere of a work derived from literary devices such as dialogue and literary element such as setting (expressed as an adjective)

Archetype

a character, action or symbol, or situation that is a prototype (or pattern) of human life

Imagery

descriptive or figurative language in a literary work

Characterization

the method an author uses to reveal characters and their various traits

Direct Characterization

description that you can rely on as truth because it is free of bias (stage direction, 3rd person omniscient)

Indirect Characterization

description that is colored by bias or opinion (1st person, dialogue, 3rd person limited)

Conflict

a struggle or clash between opposing characters, forces or emotions

Setting

the time and place in which a story unfolds

Dialogue

conversation between characters or speakers in a literary work

Exposition

a narrative device, often used at the beginning of a work, that provides necessary background information about the characters and their circumstances

Plot

the structure of a story. The sequence in which the author arranges events in a story. Includes the rising action, falling action, climax and the resolution

Bandwagon

propaganda technique that encourages people to follow the crowd

Glittering Generalities

propaganda technique using positive but vague words

Name-Calling/Labelling

propaganda technique that uses negative words to attack opponents

Transference

propaganda technique that connects a person or idea with something the audience likes or respects

Testimonial

propaganda technique using celebrity or expert endorsement

Plain Folks

propaganda technique that presents the speaker as an ordinary person

Card Stacking

propaganda technique that presents only one side of an argument

Appeal to Statistics

propaganda technique that uses numbers and data to support a claim

Bias

the subtle presence of a positive or negative approach to a topic

True Rhyme

when ending consonants and vowel sounds are the same ("ear", "dear")

Slant Rhyme/Near Rhyme

when the ending consonant and vowel sounds are similar, but not exactly the same (manage/damage; principle/invincible; laser/paper)

Rhythm

the measured flow of stressed and unstressed syllables

Alliteration

repeated beginning sounds in consecutive words

Assonance

repeated vowel sounds within words

Consonance

repeated consonant sounds within words

Onomatopoeia

life sounds—words that imitate a sound found in life (buzz, splash, boom, sizzle)

Free Verse

poetry that doesn't rhyme