AICE English Language Midterm Study Guide

Context

The situation or background to a text or its writer (times/circumstance)

Audience

The reader(s) of or listener(s) to a text. This can apply to an individual or group

Purpose

The reason why a text has been written and what the writer wants to achieve.

Form

genre

Structure

about the sequence of events

Language

methods that writers use to create effective themes

Asyndeton

removes conjunctions between words

Polysyndeton

adds conjunctions between words and phrases

Juxtaposition

literary device that involves placing two contrasting or seemingly contradictory elements side by side to draw attention to their differences. It is used to create dramatic or ironic contrast in writing

Triadic Structure

A sentence containing a series of three words

Syntax

the arrangement of words and phrases in a specific order

Repetition

repeating specific words or phrases

Anaphora

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

Epiphora

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

Hypophora

when the speaker asks a question and immediately follows with an answer

Hyperbole

refers to the deliberate exaggeration of a truth or point for emphasis or dramatic effect

Alliteration

a literary device that repeats initial consonant sounds in nearby words, creating rhythm and melody.

Chiasmus

inverts phrases

Denotation

refers to the literal dictionary definition of a word

Connotation

refers to the feeling or emotion with a word

Bias

being heavily in favor or heavily opposed to an idea

diction

refers to the choice and use of words that authors use in their writing

tone

refers to the overall attitude of a text that reflects the writer's feelings

Mood

the emotional atmosphere created within a text

imagery

refers to the use of vivid and descriptive language to create mental picture. imagery often refers to the 5 senses

Irony

refers to a contradiction or disconnect between what is expected and what happens

register

The level of formality of a text

Symbolism

the use of symbols or objects used to represent ideas

Rhetoric

the art of using language effectively to communicate and influence an audience

Metaphor

A comparison without using like or as

Declarative

a sentence that makes a statement

Interrogative

A sentence that asks a question

Imperative

a sentence that gives a command

Exclamatory

a sentence that shows a lot of emotion

email

Purpose - to inform or persuade tone - dependent on recipient

To: CC* or BCC*

From:

Subject:

Greeting

Body of Email

Salutation

article (newspaper)

purpose - to discuss new/current events or general interest or of a specific interest
Headline - only 5 or 6 words
Byline - tells who it was published by
Dateline: when it was published
Introduction: sets the scene about the news story is about
Following paragraphs: writer must decide what other details the audience must know
may include statistics or interviews
varying levels of formality
- NOT making an argument unless stated otherwise and is unbiased as possible

Speech

purpose - depends on topic
audience - usually addressed in beginning of speech but is whoever is listening
- verbal/vocal
- spoken in first person
introduction - greet audience, list main points, core message that will be represented throughout
use of conversational language but will still carry a formal tone
bulk done in paragraphs
Conclusion - recap main points, summarize core message
ending salutation

blog

tone - opinionated, usually including facts but are mostly driven by emotions
context/audience - presenting one side of an argument and is directed towards one side of an argument
purpose - to discuss/present a given topic by opinion and emotion
headline/subheading - meant to draw attention of specific audience
author/posted date
short paragraphs
usually directly addresses the audience, has lots of figurative language and descriptive language

leaflet

purpose - informational text meant to inform or persuade/give advice
tone/register - written in 2nd/3rd person, informational and conversational
headline/title - creative headline meant to draw in attention of audience
Intro paragraph - brief section introducing the topic to your reader
subheadings- usually 3 or 4 of them, paragraph in length, include a section with bullet points
concluding ideas - call to action, contact information at end

voiceover

voiceovers explain what is occurring either on screen or over an audio message
purpose - to provide more context, detail, or information about a given topic
POV depends on the topic
written in paragraphs
tone/register dependent on the prompt
descriptive/emotive language

letter

purpose - to inform/persuade
pov - 1st, 2nd when necessary
Date
name of recipient (first and last name)
address of recipient
re: brief summary of what summary is about
dear,

diary entry

purpose - to inform your future self, or to reflect on specific event
always uses 1st person
register is impacted by use of 1st person
Date(MM/DD/YY)
dear diary,
then follow same format as email
no salutation

script

purpose - to develop character and plot through dialogue and stage directions
includes name, stage directions, and italicized directions in parentheses

advertisement

purpose - to persuade its audience to do something and is usually informational
uses 2nd pov
enticing title
loaded language, rhetoric, and imagery
call to action
slogan

travelogue

purpose - to inform about a travel location usually in 1st person but sometimes includes 2nd person

focuses on a location

informational/ conversational tone

vivid sensory details includes all aspects of travel specific attention to the audience

Podcast

purpose - to entertain or inform

1st person pov

intro tag

intro monologue

full script of main content

finishes w a closing music jingle usually ends with a call to action that invites listeners to come back for more

autobiography

purpose - to inform readers of a personal story, can also be entertaining
1st person for memoir
3rd person for autobiography
usually in chronological order
memoirs focus on specific events

Narrative

to entertain, can sometimes have secondary purposes depending on the topic
any POV
needs a title
commonly used tools - plot, imagery, theme, flashback, foreshadowing, tone/mood
often uses dialogue or internal thoughts

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, event, or pop icon

dramatic irony

when a reader is aware of something that a character isn't

article (magazine)

purpose - to discuss general interest or of a specific interest

Headline -large and fonted headline

Byline - tells who it was published by

Dateline: when it was published

Introduction: short summary or hook as a headline Following paragraphs: writer must decide what other details the audience must know audience is whoever is interested sub-headings are there.

more playful than a newspaper article