Diction, Sentence Structure, and Figurative Language Analysis

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering diction choices, sentence structure types, allusions, imagery, and figurative language devices.

Monosyllabic

Words that are one syllable in length.

Polysyllabic

Words that are more than one syllable in length.

Denotative

Words containing an exact meaning.

Connotative

Words containing a suggested meaning.

Concrete

Specific words.

Abstract

General words.

Euphonious

Pleasant sounding words (e.g., butterfly).

Cacophonous

Harsh sounding words (e.g., pus).

Telegraphic Sentence

A sentence shorter than 5 words in length.

Short Sentence

A sentence approximately 5 words in length.

Medium Sentence

A sentence approximately 18 words in length.

Long and Involved Sentence

A sentence that is 30 words or more in length.

Declarative (Assertive) Sentence

A sentence pattern that makes a statement (e.g., The king is sick).

Imperative Sentence

A sentence pattern that gives a command (e.g., Off with their heads).

Interrogative Sentence

A sentence pattern that asks a question (e.g., Why is the king sick?).

Exclamatory Sentence

A sentence pattern that makes an exclamation (e.g., The king is dead!).

Simple Sentence

A sentence containing one subject and one verb (e.g., The singer bowed to her adoring audience).

Compound Sentence

A sentence containing two independent clauses joined by a coordinate conjunction (and, but, or), or by a semicolon.

Complex Sentence

A sentence containing an independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses.

Compound-Complex Sentence

A sentence containing two or more principal clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.

Juxtaposition

A poetic and rhetorical device in which normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases are placed next to one another, creating an effect of surprise or added meaning.

Parallel Structure

A grammatical or structural similarity between sentences or parts of a sentence, involving an arrangement of words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs so that elements of equal importance are equally developed and similarly phrased.

Repetition

A device in which words, sounds, and ideas are used more than once for the purpose of enhancing rhythm and creating emphasis.

Rhetorical Question

A question that expects no answer, used to draw attention to a point and generally stronger than a direct statement.

Allusion

A reference to a mythological, literary, or historical person, place, or thing (e.g., He met his Waterloo).

Imagery

The words or phrases a writer uses that appeal to the five senses.

Alliteration

The practice of beginning several consecutive or neighboring words with the same sound (e.g., The twisting trout twinkled below).

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds in a series of words (e.g., the words "cry" and "side" have the same vowel sound).

Consonance

The repetition of a consonant sound within a series of words to produce a harmonious effect.

Simile

A comparison of two different things or ideas through the use of the words like or as (e.g., He fought like a lion).

Metaphor

A comparison without the use of like or as where the poet states that one thing is another, usually comparing something real or concrete to something abstract.

Personification

A kind of metaphor which gives inanimate objects or abstract ideas human characteristics (e.g., The wind cried in the dark).

Onomatopoeia

The use of words in which the sounds seem to resemble the sounds they describe (e.g., pow, hiss, buzz, bang).

Hyperbole

A deliberate, and often outrageous exaggeration used either for serious or comic effect.

Understatement

The opposite of hyperbole; a kind of irony which deliberately represents something as much less than it really is.

Paradox

A statement that contradicts itself and may seem absurd, but usually turns out to have a coherent meaning and reveals a truth that is normally hidden.

Oxymoron

A form of paradox that combines a pair of contrary terms into a single expression, usually serving to shock the reader into awareness (e.g., sweet sorrow).

Pun

A play on words which are identical/similar in sound but which have sharply diverse meanings.

Irony

The result of a statement saying one thing while meaning the opposite, usually with the purpose to criticize.

Sarcasm

A type of irony in which a person appears to be praising something while he is actually insulting the thing.

Antithesis

A direct contrast of structurally parallel word groupings generally for the purpose of contrast (e.g., Sink or swim).

Apostrophe

A form of personification in which the absent or dead are spoken to as if present, and the inanimate as if animate.