Term

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The form of language used in particular circumstances.

Genre

A particular type/style of writing.

Prose

Any kind of writing that is not verse or drama, usually divided into fiction and non-fiction.

Standard English

The form of English considered to be and accepted as the norm of society, used in government, education, law, etc.

Infinitive

A verb in its base form, for example, 'to see'; a split infinitive is a form with another word inserted between the 'to' and the verb.

Adjective

A word that describes a noun, for example, the 'wooden' table; adjectives can also indicate degree, like the 'tallest' girl.

Intensifier

A word or phrase that adds emphasis, for example, 'very', 'unbelievably', 'awfully', 'terribly'.

Adverb

A word that describes a verb, for example, the cat jumped 'swiftly'.

Antonyms

Words that are opposite in meaning, for example, 'dark' and 'light'.

Synonyms

Different words with the same or nearly the same meaning, for example, 'shut' and 'close'.

Collocation

Two or more words that frequently appear together as part of a set phrase, like 'safe and sound', 'loud and clear'.

Conjunction

A word that joins/connects words and clauses in sentences, e.g., 'and', 'but', 'if'.

Compound word

A word made up from at least two morphemes, such as 'babysitter', 'skateboard'.

Contraction

A shortened word, for example, 'isn't', 'don't'.

Ellipsis

The omission of a part of a sentence, often indicated by '…'.

Interrogative

Expressing a question.

Demonstrative

A word that distinguishes one item from similar ones, for example, 'this', 'that', 'these', 'those'.

Connotation

An implication or association attached to a word or phrase, suggested rather than explicit.

Denotation

The dictionary meaning of a word without any connotation.

Euphemism

Expressing an unpleasant idea in a more pleasant way, e.g., 'she has passed away' instead of 'she's dead'.

Dysphemism

A blunt, often offensive way to express an idea, e.g., 'looney bin' instead of 'psychiatric hospital'.

Allusion

A reference to another event, person, or work of literature, usually implied rather than explicit.

Direct speech

The actual words spoken by a person, quoted directly.

Foreshadowing

Creating hints of later events in a piece of literature.

Holophrastic

One word sentences.

Indirect speech

Words reported rather than quoted directly.

Double negative

The use of more than one negative in one verb phrase.

Inversion

Reversing the order of clause elements, so subject and verbs appear in the reverse order.

Tautology

Saying the same thing twice in different words.

Periphrasis

A long-winded way of expressing something.

Pleonasm

The unnecessary use of words, another term for tautology.

Structure

The way a piece of writing is constructed, especially how ideas are developed.

Syntax

The way in which sentences are structured.

Polysyndeton

Repeated use of conjunctions.

Polyptoton

The repeated use of a word with the same root but in a different form.

Alliteration

The repetition of the same consonant sound, especially at the beginning of words.

Assonance

The repetition of similar vowel sounds.

Consonance

The repetition of the same consonant sounds in two or more words with different vowel sounds.

Rhyme

Ends of words that sound the same.

Euphony

Pleasant or melodious sounds.

Onomatopoeia

The use of words whose sound imitates what they describe.

Pun

A play on words that have similar sounds but different meanings.

Sibilant

The 's' sound.

Plosive

Hard sounds like 'p', 'd', or 'b'.

Diction

The choice of words that a writer makes, synonymous with vocabulary.

Lexis

Another term for vocabulary.

Lexical field

An area of meaning characterized by common lexical items.

Loan word

A word borrowed from another language, such as 'cliché'.

Coinage

The creation of new words.

Monosyllable

Having only one syllable.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

Epistrophe

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech where two opposite words are placed next to each other.

Juxtaposition

Placing things close together for contrasting effect.

Paradox

A statement that appears contradictory but has a deeper truth.

Antithesis

Contrasting ideas or words balanced against each other.

Parallelism

The patterning of pairs of sounds, words, or structures to create balance.

Patterning

Language creating discernible patterns, often through imagery or symbols.

Spoonerism

An error in speech where initial sounds are transposed, often humorously.

Malapropism

The mixing up of similar-sounding words.

Narrative

A piece of writing that tells a story.

Plot

The sequence of events in a story.

Theme

The central idea being explored through a text.

Ambiguity

Language use where meaning is unclear or has multiple interpretations.

Ambivalence

Displaying more than one possible attitude towards a theme or character.

Archaism

Old-fashioned language not in modern use.

Atmosphere

The prevailing mood created by a piece of writing.

Bathos

An anti-climax or sudden descent from the serious to the ridiculous.

Bias

Language that expresses prejudice or favors a particular viewpoint.

Cliché

A phrase or idea used so much that it has lost its original impact.

Heteroglossia

The presence of multiple expressed viewpoints in a text.

Incongruity

Something that is out of place within its context.

Irony

Saying one thing while meaning another; when the opposite of what is expected occurs.

Pathos

The effect that evokes feelings of sadness or pity.

Sub-text

Ideas or themes not overtly dealt with but existing below the surface.

Figurative language

Language that is symbolic or metaphorical, not meant to be taken literally.

Anthropomorphism

Endowing non-human entities with human traits.

Personification

Attributing human emotions to inanimate objects.

Chremamorphism

Giving human 'object-like' qualities.

Metaphor

A comparison stating that one thing is another.

Simile

A comparison using 'like' or 'as'.

Symbol

An image representing something else, like a red rose symbolizing love.

Hyperbole

Deliberate and extravagant exaggeration.

Caricature

A character described by exaggerated features.

Pathetic Fallacy

Assigning human emotions to nature or inanimate objects.

Colloquialism

Ordinary, everyday speech.

Dialect

A language variety marked by distinctive grammar and vocabulary.

Idiom

A sequence of words whose meaning deviates from its literal meaning.

Monologue

A piece in which a character addresses an audience.

Interior monologue

Expressing a character's personal internal thoughts.

Dialogue

A conversation between two or more people.

Rhetoric

The art of persuasive speaking or writing.

Rhetorical question

A question that implies its own answer.

Pastoral/idyll

Literature concerning idealized rural life.

Blank verse

Unrhymed poetry in iambic pentameter.

Elegy

A sad, reflective poem, often about death.

Free verse

Verse without a fixed structure.

Lament

Verse expressing passionate grief or sadness.

Lyric

A song-like poem expressing personal feelings.

Ode

A lengthy, serious verse similar to a lyric.