figurative language

diction

word choice and order

voice

writer’s unique use of language

tone

attitude towards a subject

paraphrasing

restate hard sentences in simpler language

understatement

downplaying the importance of things

overstatement

exaggeration or hyperbole

hyperbole

figure of speech exaggerationg or overstating a claim or point

local color

writing that brings a region alive by portraying its dress, manerisms, customs, character types and speech

dialect

distinct form of a language spoken in one geographic area

theme

central message communicated by a literary work

author’s perspective

unique combination of background, experiences, beliefs and values that influences the way a writer looks at a topic

setting

time and place in which the story occurs

thesis statement

essay without an explicit message

plot

exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

inferences

local assumptions