Cambridge English A Terminology #4

Dialectical structure

A three-part argument, moving from thesis (an initial argument) to antithesis (the counterargument) and finally to a synthesis that combines the two.

Discourse

Any spoken or written language that is longer than a single sentence

Discourse markers

Words or phrases which mark boundaries between one topic and another, where a writer or speaker wishes to change the subject (EX: so, however, such as, actually)

Discursive

A style in which facts and opinions are put forward and explored in order to develop an argument.

Exophoric reference

When a word refers to something outside a text for its meaning, typically as a consequence of a writer or speaker’s expectations as to the knowledge already possessed by the text’s intended audience. (EX: “Germany surrendered to the Allied Forces”; “allied forces” is the reference. In “Look over there!”; “there” is the reference).

First person narrative

Where a character in a story narrates the events that they are experiencing. Recognised by the use of I, we, us, our.

Formality

The extent to which spoken or written texts either conform to standard conventions or employ more personal language strategies.

Foregrounding

Using grammatical or syntactic devices to draw attention to a particular idea in a text

Genre

A subdivision of textual form determined by the text’s content (EX: fantasy novel, tragic play, ballad, online review, television commerical, formal report)

In media res

Beginning a narrative in the middle of the events without any build-up or initial explanation

Inference

The act of deducing implied meanings

Intertextuality

Where a text produces additional meaning by referring in some way to another text (EX: “Love Story” by Taylor Swift refers to Romeo and Juliet)

Metalanguage

Language which is used to describe or comment on language (EX: This translates as…, I meant to say…)

Narrative structure

The way in which a story is constructed

Anaphora

When the same expression (words or words) is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences (EX: I Have a Dream speech)

Antithesis

In which two contrasting ideas or intentionally juxtaposed, usually through parallel structure (EX: “To be or not to be…”)

Appeal

The three main persuasive rhetorical strategies. Logos (logic), pathos (emotions), ethos (credibility).

Aphorism

A short often whitty statement articulating a principle or a truth about life (EX: “A penny saved is a penny earned”)

Apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly adresses an absent or imaginary person or a peronsified abstraction, such as liberty love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer. (EX: “O Death, where is thy sting?”

Asyndeton

Consists of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses. (EX: “They spent the day wondering, searching, thinking, understanding”)

Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitue for a generally unplesant word or concept (EX: “passed” for “died”)

Hypophora

Figure of reasoning in which the speaker raises and responds to their own question(s).

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated wit it. (EX: “The pen is mightier than the sword”; pen = thoughts, sword = military action)

Oversimplification

A logical fallacy by which the reason obscures or denies the complexity of the issues in an argument.

Paradox

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory but has some degree of truth.

Parody

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

Rhetorical question

A question that does not anticipate an explicit answer.

Understatement

The ironic minimizing of fact (EX: “The 1906 San Francisco earthquake interrupted business somewhat in the downtown area”)

Antecedent

Word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

Dialect

The language of a particular district, class, or group of persons. Includes sounds, spelling, grammar, and diction.