lang vocab 1
Rhetorical Devices:
Absolute: a word free from limitations or qualifications (“best,” “all”, “unique,” “perfect”).
Allusion: a reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize.
Amplification: repeating a word or expression while adding more detail to emphasize it.
Analogy: a comparison of two different things that are similar in some way.
Anaphora: repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses
Anecdote: a brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event
Antithesis: a statement in which two opposing ideas are balanced
Aphorism: a concise, statement that expresses succinctly a general truth or idea, often using rhyme or balance
Asyndeton: a construction in which elements are presented in a series without conjunctions
Balanced sentence: a sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set off against each other to emphasize a contrast
Chiasmus: a statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed (“Susan walked in, and out rushed Mary.”)
Cliché: an expression that has been overused to the extent that its freshness has worn off
Colloquialism: informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing
Connotation: the implied or associative meaning of a word (slender vs. skinny; cheap vs. thrifty)
Deductive reasoning: reasoning in which a conclusion is reached by stating a general principle and then applying that principle to a specific case (The sun rises every morning; therefore, the sun will rise on Tuesday morning.)
Denotation: the literal meaning of a word
Diction: the word choices made by a writer (diction can be described as formal, semi-formal, ornate, informal, technical, etc.)
Didactic: having the primary purpose of teaching or instructing
Epigram: a brief, pithy, and often paradoxical saying
Epistrophe: repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses (e.g., “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”).
Ethos: the persuasive appeal of one’s character, or credibility
Euphemism: an indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant
Hyperbole: intentional exaggeration to create an effect
Hypophora: Asking a question and immediately answering it (e.g., “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!”).
Imagery: the use of figures of speech to create vivid images that appeal to one of the 5 senses
Implication: a suggestion an author or speaker makes (implies) without stating it directly. NOTE: the author/speaker implies; the reader/audience infers.
Inductive reasoning: deriving general principles from particular facts or instances (“Every cat I have ever seen has four legs; cats are four-legged animals.)
Invective: an intensely vehement, highly emotional verbal attack
Inverted syntax: a sentence constructed so that the predicate comes before the subject (ex: In the woods, I am walking.)
Irony: the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; or, incongruity between what is expected and what actually occurs (situational, verbal, dramatic)
Juxtaposition: placing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast
Litotes: a type of understatement in which an idea is expressed by negating its opposite (describing a particularly horrific scene by saying, “It was not a pretty picture.”)
Logos: appeal to reason or logic
Metaphor: a direct comparison of two different things
Metonymy: substituting the name of one thing with something closely related (e.g., “The crown” for monarchy).
Mood: the emotional atmosphere of a work
Parallelism: the use of corresponding grammatical or syntactical forms
Parody: a humorous imitation of a serious work (Weird Al Yankovic’s songs, and the Scary Movie series are examples)
Pathos: an appeal to emotion
Personification: giving non-human objects or creatures with human qualities or characteristics
Polysyndeton: the use, for rhetorical effect, of more conjunctions than is necessary or natural
Rhetorical question: a question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer
Satire: the use of humor to emphasize human weaknesses or imperfections in social institutions (Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, The Simpsons, etc.)
Simile: a comparison of two things using “like,” “as,” or other specifically comparative words
Solecism: non standard grammatical usage; a violation of grammatical rules (ex: unflammable; they was)
Structure: the arrangement or framework of a sentence, paragraph, or entire work
Style: the choices a writer makes; the combination of distinctive features of a literary work (when analyzing style, consider diction, figurative language, sentence structure, etc.)
Syntax: the manner in which words are arranged into sentences
Tone: the attitude of a writer, usually implied, toward the subject or audience
Understatement: the deliberate representation of something as lesser in magnitude than it
Vocabulary Terms:
Abate (Verb): To reduce in amount, degree, or intensity
Aberration (Noun): A departure from what is normal or expected
Abhor (Verb): To regard with disgust; to hate
Acrimony (Noun): Bitterness or ill feeling
Adulation (Noun): Excessive praise or flattery\
Aesthetic (Adjective): Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty
Alacrity (Noun): Cheerful readiness or eagerness
Ambivalent (Adjective): Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas
Anachronistic (Adjective): Belonging to a period other than that being portrayed
Anomaly (Noun): Something that deviates from the norm
Apathy (Noun): Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern
Arbitrary (Adjective): Based on random choice rather than reason
Arduous (Adjective): Involving or requiring strenuous effort
Assiduous (Adjective): Showing great care and perseverance
Astute (Adjective): Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations
Audacious (Adjective): Showing a willingness to take bold risks
Austere (Adjective): Severe or strict in manner; plain and simple
Banal (Adjective): Lacking originality; boring
Bellicose (Adjective): Demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight
Benign (Adjective): Gentle; kindly; not harmful
Bombastic (Adjective): High-sounding but with little meaning
Cacophony (Noun): A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds
Cajole (Verb): To persuade someone by flattery or coaxing
Candor (Noun): The quality of being open and honest
Ephemeral (Adjective): Lasting for a very short time
Esoteric (Adjective): Intended for or understood by a small group
Facetious (Adjective): Treating serious issues with inappropriate humor
Fallacious (Adjective): Based on a mistaken belief
Fastidious (Adjective): Very attentive to detail
Fatuous (Adjective): Silly and pointless
Feasible (Adjective): Possible to do easily or conveniently
Fervent (Adjective): Having or displaying passionate intensity
Flippant (Adjective): Not showing a serious or respectful attitude
Fortuitous (Adjective): Happening by chance rather than intention
Fractious (Adjective): Irritable and quarrelsome
Garrulous (Adjective): Excessively talkative
Grandiose (Adjective): Impressive or magnificent in appearance or style
Hackneyed (Adjective): Lacking significance through having been overused
Harangue (Noun): A lengthy and aggressive speech
Hedonistic (Adjective): Engaged in the pursuit of pleasure
Iconoclast (Noun): A person who attacks cherished beliefs
Idiosyncratic (Adjective): Peculiar or individual
Impetuous (Adjective): Acting quickly without thought
Inchoate (Adjective): Just begun and not fully formed
Ineffable (Adjective): Too great to be expressed in words
Laconic (Adjective): Using very few words
Lethargic (Adjective): Sluggish and apathetic
Magnanimous (Adjective): Generous or forgiving
Malevolent (Adjective): Having or showing a wish to do evil
Mendacious (Adjective): Not telling the truth; lying