N-S APLAC terms

Narration

The telling of a story in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or drama; one of the four modes of discourse

Objectivity

An impersonal presentation of events and characters. It is a writer’s attempt to remove himself or herself from any subjective personal involvement in a story. Hard news journalism is frequently prized for its ____, although even fictional stories can be told without a writer rendering personal judgement.

Oversimplification

When a writer obscures or denies the complexity of the issues in an argument

Oxymoron

A figure of speech comprised of contradictory words or phrases such as “wise fool,” “bitter-sweet” “pretty ugly” “jumbo shrimp” “cold fire”

Pacing

The movement of a literary piece from one point or section to another

Parable

A short tale that reaches a moral; similar to but shorter than an allegory

Paradox

A statement that seems to contradict itself but turns out to have a rational meaning

Parallelism

the technique of arranging words, phrases, clauses, or larger structures by placing them side by side and making them similar in form. Parallel structure may be as simple as listing two or three modifiers in a row to describe the same noun or verb; it may take the form of two or more of the same type of phrases (prepositional, participial, gerund, appositive) that modify the same noun or verb; it may also take the form of two or more subordinate clauses that modify the same noun or verb. Or, parallel structure may be a complex bend of singe-word, phrase, and clause parallelism all in the same sentence.

Example (from Churchill): "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields."

Parody

A work that ridicules the style of another work by imitating and exaggerating its elements.

It can be utterly mocking or gently humorous. It depends on allusion and exaggerates and distorts the original style and content.

Pathetic Appeal; Pathos

When a writer tries to persuade the audience by appealing to their emotions. The aspects of a literary work that elicit sorrow or pity from the audience. An appeal to emotion that can be used as a means to persuade. Over-emotionalism can be the result of an excess of pathos.

Pedantic

A term that refers to describe writing that borders on lecturing. It is scholarly and academic and often overly difficult and distant.

Persuasion

a form of argumentation, one of the four modes of discourse; language intended to convince through appeals to reason or emotion.

Regionalism

an element in literature that conveys a realistic portrayal of a specific geographical locale, using the locale and its influences as a major part of the plot

Repetition

A word used two or more times in close proximity

Rhetorical modes

Exposition, description, narration and argumentation

Rhetorical question

one that does not expect an explicit answer. It is used to pose an idea to be considered by the speaker or audience.

Sarcasm

Harsh, caustic personal remarks to or about someone; less subtle than irony

Satire

A work that reveals a critical attitude toward some element of human behavior by portraying it in an extreme way. Satire doesn't simply abuse (as in invective) or get personal (as in sarcasm). Satire targets groups or large concepts rather than individuals.

Speaker

the voice of a work; an author may speak as himself or herself or as a fictitious persona

Stereo type

a character who represents a trait that is usually attributed to a particular social or racial group and who lacks individuality; a conventional patter, expression or idea.

Style

an author's characteristic manner of expression - his or her diction, syntax, imagery, structure, and content all contribute to style

Subjectivity

a personal presentation of evens and characters, influenced by the author's feelings and opinions