Language Terms #2

Ambiguity: unclearness by virtue of having more than one meaning

2. Anaphora: repetition of a word or phrase as the beginning of successive clauses

3. Argument: …, a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true

4. Cacophony: …, a loud harsh or strident noise

5. Epithet: …, a defamatory or abusive word or phrase

6. Euphemism: …, an inoffensive expression that is substituted for one that is

considered offensive

7. Euphony: …, any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds

8. Imperative sentence: …, these sentences give orders, instructions, advice and

directions

9. Juxtaposition: …, placing two elements side by side to present a comparison or

contrast

10. Mixed metaphor: …, a combination of two or more metaphors that together

produce a ridiculous effect

11. Paradox: …, a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd

but in reality expresses a possible truth.

12. Parallel structure: …, the repetition of words or phrases that have similar

grammatical structures

13. Simile: …, a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of

different kinds (usually formed with 'like' or 'as')

14. Theme: …, a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work

15. Understatement: …, the opposite of exaggeration. It is a technique for developing

irony and/or humor where one writes or says less than intended.