Q1-3 Terms

Abstract

Refers to language that describes concepts rather than concrete, tangible images

concrete

language that describes specific, observable things, people, or places, rather than ideas or qualities

Allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, etc.

Ambiguity purposeful

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

antithesis

The opposite or contrast of ideas, the direct opposite

Juxtaposition

The location of one thing adjacent to another to create an effect, reveal an attitude, or accomplish some other purpose.

Assonance

The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds, usually in successive or proximate words

Alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds, in two or more neighboring words.

Consonance

The repetition of two or more consonants with a change in the intervening vowels; i.e, pitter/patter, splish/splash

Chiasmus

A figure of speech and generally a syntactical structure wherein the order of the terms in the first half of a parallel clause is reversed in the second.

Colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing

dialect

The language and speech idiosyncrasies of a specific area, region, or group.

Connotation

The non literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning

denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.

Epithet

A nickname or descriptive terms thats added to someones name that becomes part of common usage

Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement

Understatement

The ironic minimalizing of fact, which presents something as less significant than it is. Can frequently be humerous or emphatic.

Idiom

A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literall

Imagery 5 kinds

The sensory details or figurative language that draw on details of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound.

Dramatic irony

When the reader or viewer of a text or performance knows something that the characters themselves do not

Situational irony

When an event occurs, which is opposite from or opposed to what was expected

Verbal irony

Much like sarcasm, when what is said differs from what is actually meant, but usually not as harsh or abrasive

Litotes

A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite.

Metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity

Simile

A comparison between two things in which the similarity between the two is directly stated, usually using the words “as” or “like”

Mood

The prevailing atmosphere of emotional aura of a work

Tone

Describes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.

Motif

Recurring images, words, objects, phrases, or actions that tend to unify a work of literature. Motifs are not themes.

Onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.

Oxymoron

A firgure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox

Paradox

A statement that seems to be self contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth of validity.

Parallelism

The grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.

Personification

A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.

Pun

A play on words using similar sounding words with different meanings.

Symbol

Anything that represents itself and stands for something else. It is usually something concrete such as an object, action, character, or scene that represents something more abstract.

Theme

The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.

Sic

used in brackets after a copied or quoted word that appears odd or erroneous to show that the word is quoted exactly as it stands in the original

Id est (i.e.)

A Latin term that means "in other words."

Ibidem (ibid)

an abbreviation for the Latin word ibīdem, meaning "in the same place"

Et alli (et al)

an abbreviation for the Latin phrase et alia which means "and others."

et cetera (etc.)

used at the end of list to indicate more similar items.

exempli gratia (e.g.)

for the sake of example

Magnum Opus

A writer or artist's most important work (literally 'great work').

Anecdote

A short story that is significant to the topic at hand, adding knowledge or experience to the topic.

Allegory

A narration or description where things represent specific abstractions or ideas

Anaphora

When a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of clauses or sentences that follow each other

Aphorism

A short statement of a general truth, insight, or good advice. It’s roughly similar to a “saying.”

Epigram

a short but insightful statement, often in verse form, which communicates a thought in a witty, paradoxical, or funny way.

analogy

Two unrelated objects are compared for their shared qualities. An analogy is not a figure of speech

discursive

written or spoken communication

caricature

An exaggerated, usually comical, portrayal of a person or subject. In writing, caricature means that the writer has exaggerated aspects of a person or subject to create humor.

parody

A work that’s created by imitating an existing original work in order to make fun of or comment on an aspect of the original.

satire

making fun of a person, idea, or institution to entertain, and to inform or make people think.

foil

illustrate or reveal information, traits, etc. through the comparison and contrast of another character

ad infinitum

to go on forever

inference

drawing a conclusion from evidence

implication

something suggested or happening indirectly

bona fide

genuine, real

farce

a comedy where everything is absurd. usually has deception or miscommunication

metonymy

replaces words with related or associated words

non-sequitur

do not follow the fundamental principles of logic and reason

rhetorical question

asked to make a point

semantics

interpretation and meaning of the words, sentence structure, and symbols

stream of consciousness

continuous flow of thoughts into words (like an interior monologue)

digression

sudden interruptions in the main action of the story which provides background info

inverted order syntax

unexpected emphasis on objects or verbs in sentences

cautionary tale

tale told in folklore to warn its listener of a danger

parable

short story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson

de facto

exists with or without being official

verbatim

exact restatement

synecdoche

a part stands for a whole, or a whole stands for a part

quasi

resembling or having some features of

ad nauseum

absurdly repetitive

per se

intrinsically, in and of itself, taking out of context

loose sentence

independent clause followed by dependent clause

periodic sentence

independent clause at the end of the sentence

diction

word choice and phrasing in any written or spoken text

Point of view

The perspective of the character or narrator (“who” is telling the story)

Cacophony

Combination of words with loud harsh sounds

Euphony

Words that are melodious or pleasant

Antecedent

An earlier clause, phrase, or word to which a pronoun, noun, or another word refers. Basically when a word/pronoun refers to an earlier word.

Classic hero

Possesses a great talent/ability that sets them apart from other characters

Tragic hero

Possesses a fatal flaw that ultimately leads to their downfall

Anti hero

They have qualities that make them more like a villain. They struggle to overcome these qualities. Very relatable to the audience

Ad hoc

When someone presents a new explanation that is unjustified/unreasonable of why their original belief is correct after evidence contradicts the previous explanation. Preserves existing beliefs

Ad hominem

Fallacy of arguing that someone is incorrect because of a physical attribute (they are unattractive, weird, etc.)

Appeal to authority

Fallaciously using the statements or opinions of authority figures in order to support a conclusion

Band wagon

Logical fallacy based on the assumption that something must be true or good if it’s in accordance with the opinions of many others

Begging the question

Using an *assumed* true claim to prove the point.

Poisoning the well

Negative information about a person is presented to attempt to discredit thier arguments

Slippery slope

Someone asserts a proposition or action must be rejected because it would have unintended consequences, leading to a disastrous outcome. A chain of events will occur without providing evidence

Straw man

When someone deliberately distorts or misrepresents their opponent’s position to make it easier to defeat

Syllogism

Drawing a specific conclusion from a general fact (like the transtitive property)

Meiosis

A witty understatement that belittles or dismisses something or somebody; particularly by making use of terms that give an impression that something is less important than it is or it should be

apostrophe

a poetic phrase or speech made by a character that is addressed to a subject not literally present in the work

a priori

to take an idea from logic or reasoning and applying it to real life without need for experimentation or observation 

a posteriori

Based on actual observation 

Ergo

for that reason, because of that

Mens rea

criminal intent, guilty mind