Vocab 5

1. Understatement (n):  ironic minimalizing of fact presenting something as less than it is

Ex. “‘Tis but a scratch” (Mercutio when receiving a fatal wound)

2. Hyperbole (n): exaggeration not meant to be taken literally

Ex. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.” 

3. Satire (n): a literary genre that attempts to expose humanity’s vice and folly through criticism and ridicule, with hopes for reform  

(ex: The Onion, Saturday Night Live, The Dictator, “A Modest Proposal”)

4. Amplify (v):   In general, to make something stronger or louder.  In writing,  to embellish a statement in order to draw more attention to it, usually by means of  figurative language

5. Pun (n): the usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings or the meaning of another word similar in sound.

Ex. “If you look for me tomorrow you will find me a grave man” (Mercutio, while dying)

6. Statistic (n): facts expressed in numbers that are obtained from analyzing information.
Example: 1 in 3 students; 75 percent of Americans, $33 million per year, $7 per unit

7. Antithesis (n):  the rhetorical contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words, clauses, or sentences
Ex. “Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”

8. Phrase (n): In grammar, 2 or more words acting as a single unit. (Types include prepositional, noun, verb, adverbial, appositive, etc.) 

9. Clause  (n): a grammatical unit that has both a subject and a verb. (2 types: independent and dependent/subordinate)
10. antecedent   (n):  In grammar, the word or group of words a pronoun replaces or refers to  

ex. The truth has many filters and depends on which lens you view it from.  The antecedent of it is truth.  

Tier 2 Words
11. lampoon  (v, n): publicly criticize (someone or something) by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm; a text or speech in this manner                                                          

12. contention  (n):  a struggling together in opposition; strife.                                                    

13. dissident   (n, adj): Disagreeing in opinion or attitude; a person who dissents                                                        

14. Epitome (n): a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class                                          

15.  eclectic  (adj):  selecting or choosing from various sources.

16. impasse (n):  A road or passage having no exit; a cul-de-sac; A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made; a deadlock or a stalemate                                                     

17. inconsequential  (adj):  lacking importance; trivial                                   

18. viable (adj): practical, workable; capable of living or developing                                                       

19. conjecture (n): the formation or expression of an opinion or theory without sufficient evidence for proof; an opinion or theory not based on evidence                                                 

20. consensus (n):  majority opinion; general agreement or concord