Language of Composition

Style

A mix of elements including word choices, syntactical patterns, and grammar and mechanics conventions used by writers.

Diction

A writer's word choice.

Denotation

The dictionary definition of a word.

Connotations

The underlying associations of a word.

Modifiers

Words, phrases, or clauses that add description or qualification.

Formal Diction

Diction that adheres to grammatical rules and avoids colloquial or slang expressions.

Informal Diction

Diction that is more conversational and may include casual expressions used by the audience.

Figurative Language

Words or phrases that are not meant to be taken literally and often involve comparisons.

Syntax

How words are combined to form sentences.

Sentences

Structures made up of clauses, with at least one independent clause.

Compound and Complex Sentences

Longer sentences that use coordination and subordination.

Coordination

Joining clauses with coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

Subordination

Joining clauses with subordinating conjunctions (when, because, until, if).

Periodic Sentence

A sentence that begins with details, qualifications, or modifications, building toward the main clause.

Cumulative Sentence

An independent clause followed by details, qualifications, or modifications in subordinate clauses or phrases.

Parenthetical

An interruption in a sentence to provide additional information that may not be essential but furthers the writer's purpose.

Parallel Structure

The repetition of the same word, phrase, or clause for emphasis.

Antithesis

The presentation of contrary ideas using a similar grammatical structure.

Punctuation

Marks that show relationships among ideas in a given sentence and throughout a text; commas, colons, semicolons, dashes, hyphens, parentheses, quotation marks, end marks

Dramatic Irony

Contrast between what a character or writer says or thinks and what the audience knows to be true.

Understatement

Presentation or framing of something as less important, urgent, awful, good, powerful, etc., than it actually is

Irony

An incongruity between expectation and reality.

tone

the writer’s attitude toward a subject

shifts

a point in a text that indicates a change; most often a change in the writer’s or speaker’s tone or perspective

irony

an incongruity between expectation and reality

verbal irony

there is a difference between what writers say and what they mean

situational irony

a discrepancy between what seems fitting and what actually happens