APEL Terms Lists 1-28

audience

the person(s) reached by a piece of writing

attitude

a writer's intellectual position or emotion regarding the subject of the writing

tone

The attitude a literary work/author takes toward its subject, audience, and/or theme.

diction

an author's choice of words to convey a tone or effect

logos

the appeal to logic; to convince an audience by use of logic or reason

pathos

the emotional appeal; to persuade an audience by appealing to their emotions

fallacy

a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument

ad hominem argument

an argument that appeals to emotion rather than reason, to feeling rather than intellect

infer

to draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented

connotation

The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning

denotation

the dictionary definition of a word; the direct and specific meaning

apostrophe

a figure of speech in which a person, thing, or abstract quality is addressed as if present

imagery

Sensory details in a work; the use of figurative language to evoke a feeling, call to mind an idea, or describe an object.

deductive

reasoning from the general to the specific

inductive

reasoning from the specific to the general

structure

the framework or organization of a literary selection

synthesis

the joining of two or more ideas or arguments to produce a new idea or argument

warrant

connection, often unstated and assumed, between the claim and the supporting reason(s)

syntax

the way words are put together to form phrases, clauses, and sentences

symbol/symbolism

anything that represents, stands for, something else

mood

The feeling or ambiance resulting from the tone of a piece as well as the writer/narrator's attitude and point of view.

atmosphere

The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work

abstract

not related to the concrete properties of an object; pertaining to ideas, concepts, or qualities

ambiguity

use of language in which multiple meanings are possible

persona

the voice or figure of the author who tells the story

rhetoric

the art of persuasion, using language purposefully

rhetorical situation

the context or set of circumstances out of which a text arises

rhetorical analysis

this considers all elements of the rhetorical situation in which a text was generated

rhetorical mode

ways of using language with a specific focus

prose

the ordinary form of written language without metrical structure

colloquial

informal words, phrases or even slang in a piece of writing

sarcasm

A sharp, caustic remark. A form of verbal irony

satire

a literary style used to make fun of or ridicule an idea or human vice or weakness

motif

recurrent device, formula, or situation that often serves as a signal for the appearance of a character or event

metaphor

a comparison of two unlike things that have something in common but not using "like" or "as"

simile

a comparison of two different things or ideas through the use of the words "like" or "as."

catharsis

purification or cleansing of the spirit through the emotions of pity and terror as a witness to a tragedy

cliché

an expression or idea that has been overused to the extent that it loses its original meaning or novelty

irony

A situation or statement characterized by significant difference between what is expected or understood and what actually happens

paradox

occurs when the elements of a statement contradict each other

juxtaposition

placing of two items side by side to create a certain effect

oxymoron

a figure of speech that combines two apparently contradictory terms into a single unusual expression

allegory

the device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction

allusion

a direct or indirect reference to something that is presumable commonly known

epigraph

quote set at the beginning of a literary work or at its divisions to set the tone or suggest a theme

elegiac

expressing sorrow often for something past; sorrowful

contradiction

a direct opposition between things compared; inconsistency

understatement

the opposite of hyperbole; it is a kind of irony that deliberately represents something as being much less than it really is

hyperbole

an overstatement characterized by exaggerated language

metonymy

a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it

antithesis

The juxtaposition of sharply contrasting ideas in balanced phrases or clauses.

epiphany

A sudden or intuitive insight or perception into the reality or essential meaning of something usually brought on by a simple or common occurrence or experience.

anecdote

A brief story or tale.

pun

A play on words that are either identical or similar in sound but have sharply diverse meanings.

wit

Intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights, usually using terse language that makes a pointed statement.

didactic

Intended for teaching or to teach a moral lesson.

syllogism

A form of deductive reasoning; a formal argument consisting of a major and a minor premise and a conclusion.

invective

The use of angry or insulting language in satirical writing.

euphemism

Substitution of a milder or less direct expression for one that is harsh or blunt.

anachronism

Use of historically inaccurate details in a text.

parallelism

The use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same or similar in their construction, sound, meaning or meter.

parody

A writing which imitates another serious piece and pokes fun at the original.

propaganda

Information or rumor deliberately spread to help or harm a person, group, or institution.

analogy

A comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it.

aphorism

An original concise statement designed to make a point or illustrate a commonly held belief.

genre

Term used to describe literary forms, such as tragedy, comedy, novel, or essay.

eulogy

A speech or writing in praise of a deceased person or thing.

repetition

A device in which words, sounds, and ideas are used more than once to enhance rhythm and create emphasis.

alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds within a formal grouping, such as a poetic line or stanza.

integrity

holding firmly to values such as honesty; completeness; moral uprightness

daft

silly, foolish

imprudent

careless; rash; not attentive to consequence

impudent

rude; disrespectful

prodigal

wasteful; lavish

acclaim

to express strong approval or praise; hail

denunciation

a proclamation or expression of strong disapproval made openly or publicly

circumspect

careful, thought through; considerate of all that is pertinent

squalid

dirty or wretched in appearance

compunction

a feeling of remorse for doing something wrong; regret; shame

implausible

not having the appearance of truth or reason

titillate

to excite or intrigue

precocious

having or showing much more ability or knowledge than is usual at such a young age

satiate

to satisfy an appetite fully

enigma

something or someone puzzling, mysterious, inexplicable, a baffling situation, something obscure

diatribe

a denunciation, a abusive, bitter, or biting speech

conciliatory

eager to make peace

decorum

propriety; whatever is proper

bombastic

using language in a pompous, showy way; speaking to impress others

archaic

old; from a much earlier time

insatiable

incapable of being satisfied or fulfilled, extremely greedy

raucous

boisterous, harsh sounding, noisy and disorderly

ingratiate

bring oneself into favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them

condescending

voluntarily having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority

rancorous

deeply hateful or spiteful; malicious; sealed resentment

astute

sharp-minded; very clever; shrewd with regards to one's own interests

atrophy

to waste away

loquacious

very talkative; liking to talk; garrulous (can have both positive and negative connotations)

blasphemous

profane; irreverent

lechery

sexual sin; lust

incorrigible

too firmly fixed to be reformed or changed