Lang Vocab

Lists 1 & 2

Absolute

A word, phrase, or clause that implies total certainty.

Adage

Short, memorable, traditional saying that expresses a well-kown truth or common experience.

Ad Hominem Argument

A logical fallacy where a speaker ignores the substance of an opponent’s argument and instead attacks their character, motive, or personal attributes.

Alliteration

The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a series of words in close proximity.

Allusion

A brief, indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or piece of art.

Analogy

A rhetorical device that creates a comparison between two different things to highlight a shared relationship.

Anaphora

A rhetorical device involving the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of phrases.

Anecdote

A short, engaging, and often personal narrative to support an argument.

Antecedent

The specific word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers.

Antithesis

A rhetorical device that pairs two opposing or contrasting ideas to highlight differences.

Aphorism

A short, concise, and memorable statement that expresses a general truth.

Apostrophe

Figure of speech where an author addresses something absent as if it was present.

Argument

A persuasive presentation of ideas.

Asyndeton

A rhetorical device where conjunctions (and, but, or) are omitted.

Balanced Sentence

A sentence with two or more clauses or phrases that are parallel in structure, and length.

Bathos

Abrupt, often humorous transition from a serious tone to the humorous, often used in anticlimactic moments.

Chiasmus

A rhetorical device where words or grammatical structures are repeated in reverse order.

Cliché

An overused expression or phrase that has lost its original impact.

Colloquialism

The use of informal words, phrases, or slang in writing or speech, reflecting casual everyday conversation.

Complex Sentence

A sentence that consists of one complete thought with one dependant clause using conjunctions like although, because, while, or since.

Compound Sentence

A sentence that consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a comma and a FANBOYS, semicolon, or an adverb.

Concrete Details

Specific, tangible facts, data, or sensory details used to support an argument.

Connotation

Word choices that reveal an author’s attitude.

Cumulative Sentence

Sentence structure that places the main independent clause at the beginning, followed by other phrases for explanation.

Declarative Sentence

A foundation sentence type that makes a statement, asserts a fact, or expresses an opinion.

Deductive Reasoning

A logical process used to reach a specific, guaranteed conclusion.

Denotation

The strict, literal definition of a word.

Dialect

A regional or social variation of a language.

Dialogue

Written or spoken exchange between characters.

Diction

An author’s deliberate choice of words and phrases to convey a specific tone.

Didactic

Describes literature, speeches, or art, specifically intended to teach a lesson.

Epigram

A short, witty statement that expresses a clever thought or a simple truth.

Epigraph

A short quotation, poem, or sentence placed at the beginning of a text to suggest its theme, tone, or context.

Epiphany

A sudden, profound moment or realization, insight, or clarity.

Epitaph

A short written tribute in prose or verse that summarizes a life or a final statement.

Epithet

A descriptive word or phrase added to a person’s name to highlight a key characteristics “Alexander the Great”

Compound Adjectives

Tow or more words joined by a hyphen that act as a single unit “part-time job”

Eulogy

A formal speech or piece of writing that praises and honors a person, typically someone who has died.

Euphemism

A mild, indirect, or vague expression substituted for one considered too harsh. “passed away”

Exclamatory Sentence

A type of sentence that expresses strong emotion, surprise of intense feeling concluded with an exclamation mark.

Expletive

A figure of speech comprising a word or short phrase, often interrupting a sentence to add emphasis.