Prose Words 📚📖

🔍 ANALYTICAL & REASONING TERMS

Term	Definition	Example Usage
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Analyze	Break down a text into parts to understand it better	The student analyzed the poem to uncover its deeper meaning.
Argument / Argue / Argumentative	A set of reasons presented to persuade or support a claim	Her argumentative essay defended the benefits of universal healthcare.
Assess / Assessment	Evaluate the nature or ability of something	The teacher assessed the effectiveness of the student's thesis.
Categorize / Categorization	Group items based on shared traits	The historian categorized the documents by decade.
Characterize / Characterization	Describe or depict qualities or traits	The author characterizes the protagonist as both stubborn and brave.
Claim / Posit	To assert as true without proof	The writer posited that economic inequality was the root of unrest.
Compare / Contrast	Note similarities and/or differences	The student compared the themes of justice in both novels.
Differentiate / Distinguish / Draw a Distinction	Identify differences	The essay distinguishes between literal and figurative language.
Interpret / Interpretation / Interpretative	Explain the meaning or significance	She interpreted the character’s silence as an act of resistance.
Reason / Reasoning / Reasonable	Logic used to form conclusions	His reasoning led him to reject the misleading evidence.
Suggest / Suggestion	Propose an idea for consideration	The author suggests a connection between memory and identity.
Speculate / Speculation	Form a theory without firm evidence	Scholars speculated about the true authorship of the manuscript.
Theorize / Theory	Create an explanatory idea based on evidence	Freud theorized that unconscious desires shape behavior.

🧠 COGNITIVE / VERBAL GESTURES

Term	Definition	Example Usage
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Conceive	Form an idea or concept	She conceived a plan to unify the two arguments.
Consider	Think about with care	He considered the opposing viewpoint before writing his rebuttal.
Imagine	Form a mental image or concept	The reader is invited to imagine a world without social barriers.
Intuit / Intuition	Instinctive knowing without reasoning	She intuited the character’s motives before they were revealed.
Reflect / Reflection	Think deeply or carefully	The essay reflects on the consequences of the war.
Suppress / Suppression / Withhold / Withholding	Intentionally prevent or restrain expression or information	The narrator withholds key facts to build suspense.
Adduce	Cite as evidence	He adduced several historical documents to support his claim.
Implore / Beseech / Entreat	Beg earnestly	The speaker implored the audience to take immediate action.
Espouse	Adopt or support an idea	The writer espouses a radical approach to climate reform.
Inveigh against / Lambaste	Criticize harshly	The critic lambasted the novel for its outdated stereotypes.
Equivocate / Obfuscate / Obfuscation	Use ambiguous language to conceal truth	The spokesperson obfuscated the details of the policy failure.

🗣 COMMUNICATION & PRESENTATION

Term	Definition	Example Usage
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Communicate	Share or exchange information	The speaker communicated her vision clearly to the audience.
Convey	Make an idea or feeling known	The imagery conveys a sense of isolation.
Express / Expression of	Show thoughts or feelings	The poet expresses his longing through vivid metaphors.
Declare / Pronounce / Pronouncement / Declaration	Formally announce or proclaim	The president declared the initiative a success.
Report / Reporting	Give an account of events or information	The article reports on recent developments in the case.
Illustrate / Illustration	Explain using examples or images	The author illustrates the theme of freedom with historical anecdotes.
Narrate / Narration / Recount / Account	Tell a story or describe events	The narrator recounts his childhood experiences with clarity.
Note / Commentary / Comment	Observe and remark	The editor’s commentary clarifies the author’s main point.
Reveal / Revelation / Disclose / Disclosure	Make known or visible	The letter reveals her true feelings.
Indicate / Indication / Signal	Show or suggest indirectly	His hesitation indicates uncertainty.
Announce / Proclaim / Admit / Acknowledge / Concede / Concession	Formally state or recognize something	She conceded that her first impression was incorrect.
Appeal / Encouragement / Encourage	Attempt to persuade or support	The advertisement appeals to viewers' sense of nostalgia.

🧩 STRUCTURE & ORGANIZATION

Term	Definition	Example Usage
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Arrange / Arrangement	Organize elements methodically	The essay is arranged chronologically to reflect the character’s growth.
Sequence / Sequencing / Progression	Order of events or steps	The narrative’s sequence mirrors the protagonist’s emotional unraveling.
Structure / Structuring	Framework or form of a work	The structure of the novel shifts between past and present timelines.
Prioritize / Prioritization	Place in order of importance	The writer prioritizes ethical concerns over practical ones.
Placement / Place	Position within a text	The placement of the quote at the beginning sets the tone for the essay.
Emphasize / Emphasis / Stress	Highlight something for importance	The repetition emphasizes the urgency of the speaker’s message.
Juxtapose / Juxtaposition	Place side by side for contrast	The poet juxtaposes love and loss to heighten emotional tension.
Transition / Shift / Shifting / Switch / Switching / Alternate	Move from one idea or section to another	The paragraph shifts from personal anecdote to critical analysis.
Repetition / Repeat / Reiteration	Restate for emphasis	The chorus repeats a line to reinforce the central theme.
Elaborate / Elaboration / Extend / Extension / Dilation / Dilate upon / Prolong / Prolongation	Expand upon or develop in detail	The author elaborates on her argument with statistical evidence.
Downplay / Understatement / Undermine / Undercut	Make something seem less significant	He downplays the conflict to maintain a neutral tone.
Exaggerate / Overstate / Overstatement	Represent as more extreme than it is	The satirist exaggerates the politician’s mannerisms for effect.

🎭 RHETORICAL DEVICES & LITERARY FEATURES

Term	Definition	Example Usage
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Allude / Allusion	Refer indirectly to something	The poem alludes to classical mythology to elevate the narrative.
Invoke / Invocation	Call forth or appeal to	The speaker invokes the Constitution to support her argument.
Evoke / Evocation	Bring to mind or elicit feelings	The description evokes a sense of nostalgia for childhood.
Simulate / Simulation / Imitate / Imitation / Mirror / Mirroring	Reproduce or replicate something	The dialogue imitates real speech to enhance realism.
Symbol / Symbolize / Symbolism	Object representing an idea	The raven symbolizes death and mystery in Poe’s poem.
Metaphor / Metaphorical / Extended Metaphor	Figurative comparison between two things	Her heart is a locked room—an extended metaphor for emotional guardedness.
Analogy / Analogous	Comparison to clarify	The essay uses an analogy between war and chess to illustrate strategy.
Irony / Ironic / Paradox / Paradoxical	Contradiction between appearance and reality	It is ironic that the fire station burned down.
Personification	Human qualities given to non-human things	The wind whispered secrets through the trees.
Hyperbole / Understatement	Exaggeration / Minimization	Saying “I’ve told you a million times” is a classic hyperbole.
Satire / Satirical / Sarcasm / Sarcastic / Cynicism / Cynical / Mock / Mocking	Use of ridicule to criticize	The cartoon mocks political leaders through biting satire.
Allegory / Allegorize / Fable / Parable / Anecdote / Aphorism / Epigram	Narrative forms that teach, illustrate, or moralize	Orwell’s Animal Farm is an allegory of Soviet communism.
Euphemism / Euphemistic	Mild term for something harsh	“Passed away” is a euphemism for “died.”
Foreshadow	Hint at future events	The cracked mirror foreshadows the breakdown of the protagonist’s identity.
Echo / Echoing	Repetition or reflection of earlier elements	Her final line echoes the opening, creating a circular structure.

📘 STYLE, DICTION & TONE

Term	Definition	Usage Example
Tone	Author’s approach or emotional stance	The tone of the poem is melancholic and reflective.
Attitude	The author's emotional or intellectual stance	The author’s attitude toward the subject is both critical and compassionate.
Diction	Author’s vocabulary and choice of words	The author’s diction is formal and precise throughout the essay.
Word Choice	The selection of specific words to convey meaning	Word choice such as “lament” rather than “complain” deepens the emotional impact.
Type of Word	The category or kind of word used (noun, verb, adjective)	The use of abstract nouns adds philosophical depth.
Phraseology	The manner or style of phrasing	The phraseology is ornate, with complex clauses.
Syntax	The arrangement of words and phrases	The complex syntax reflects the character’s chaotic thoughts.
Syntactic	Pertaining to syntax; how words are ordered	The syntactic structure varies to mirror emotional shifts.
Sentence Structure	The construction of sentences	Short sentences increase the pace and tension.
Sentence Length	The number of words in a sentence	Lengthy sentences slow the narrative’s momentum.
Complex	Intricate or complicated in form	The author’s style is complex but rewarding.
Simple	Easy to understand; not complicated	The simple language makes the story accessible.
Pithy	Concise and forcefully expressive	The pithy remarks convey sharp wit.
Convoluted	Extremely complex and difficult to follow	The convoluted syntax reflects confusion.
Concise	Expressing much in few words	The argument is concise and to the point.
Succinct	Brief and clearly expressed	The summary is succinct without losing meaning.
Elaborate	Involving many careful details	The elaborate descriptions create vivid imagery.
Register	Level of formality in language	The poem uses a high register to convey seriousness.
Point of View	The narrative perspective	The story is told from a first-person point of view.
Perspective	A particular attitude or way of viewing something	The novel explores multiple perspectives on justice.
Orientation	The position or stance taken	The narrative’s orientation shifts between optimism and despair.
Pacing	The speed of the narrative	The pacing slows during moments of introspection.
Rhythm	The pattern of sounds in language	The poem’s rhythm mimics a heartbeat.
Scope	The breadth or range of content	The story’s scope spans decades.
Degree of Focus	The intensity or narrowness of attention	The narrative has a narrow degree of focus on one character.
Modulation	The variation in tone or pitch	The author modulates the tone to match the changing mood.
Adjustment	A small change to adapt tone or style	The speaker makes a subtle adjustment in tone halfway through.
Monosyllabic	Words with one syllable	Monosyllabic words create a blunt, direct effect.
Polysyllabic	Words with multiple syllables	Polysyllabic vocabulary lends sophistication.
Fragment	An incomplete sentence used for effect	The poem’s fragmented sentences convey confusion and urgency.
Run-on	Sentences improperly joined	The run-on sentences suggest breathlessness.
Alliteration	Repetition of initial consonant sounds	The use of alliteration enhances the poem’s musicality.
Rhyme	Correspondence of sounds at the end of lines	The rhyme scheme provides structural unity.
Internal Rhyme	Rhyme within a single line	Internal rhyme gives a playful sound.
Consistency	Uniformity in style or tone	The author maintains consistency in tone throughout.
Variety	Diversity in expression or structure	The author employs a variety of sentence lengths for rhythm.
Mixed Diction	Combining different styles of language	The dialogue features mixed diction to capture class differences.
Dialect	Regional or social variety of language	The use of dialect grounds the story in a specific region.
Idiom	A phrase with a figurative meaning	Idiomatic expressions give cultural flavor.
Jargon	Specialized terminology	The technical jargon makes the text challenging for outsiders.
Terminology	Set of terms used in a particular field	Precise terminology establishes academic authority.

🧠 CHARACTERIZING QUALITIES & CONCEPTS

Term	Definition	Usage Example
Implicit	Suggested though not directly expressed	The implicit message is that change is inevitable.
Explicit	Stated clearly and directly	The author is explicit about the consequences of war.
Direct	Straightforward and clear	The narrative uses direct language to confront injustice.
Indirect	Not stated plainly; suggested	Indirect references allow for multiple interpretations.
Ambiguous	Open to more than one interpretation	The ambiguous ending invites debate.
Ambiguity	The quality of being unclear or inexact	Ambiguity creates suspense in the plot.
Obscure	Not clearly understood or expressed	Some references are intentionally obscure.
Obscurity	The state of being unknown or unclear	The poem’s obscurity challenges readers.
Profound	Very deep or insightful	Her profound insights reshape how we view identity.
Superficial	Shallow or lacking depth	The critique was superficial, lacking depth.
Authentic	Genuine and real	The dialogue feels authentic and true to life.
Fake	Not genuine or real	The villain’s charm is ultimately revealed as fake.
Sincere	Genuine in feeling	His sincere apology moved the audience.
Insincere	Not expressing genuine feelings	The politician’s insincere promises drew criticism.
Genuine	Truly what something is said to be	The genuine emotion in the poem is palpable.
Fraudulent	Deceptive and dishonest	The fraudulent narrator manipulates readers’ trust.
Pedantic	Overly concerned with minor details	The pedantic tone annoyed many readers.
Erudite	Having or showing great knowledge	The essay’s erudite style reveals deep scholarship.
Sophisticated	Complex or refined	The sophisticated argument challenges conventional wisdom.
Naïve	Lacking experience or wisdom	The naïve protagonist learns harsh lessons.
Elegant	Graceful and refined	The author’s elegant prose enchants the reader.
Crude	Lacking refinement or subtlety	The crude humor contrasts with the serious themes.
Vulgar	Offensive or coarse	The vulgar language shocks some readers.
Harsh	Severe or unkind in tone	The harsh diction underlines the narrator’s anger.
Smooth	Having a pleasingly even quality	The smooth flow of sentences creates calm.
Rough	Having an uneven or coarse quality	The rough narrative style reflects the protagonist’s turmoil.
Dense	Compact and hard to penetrate	The dense text requires careful reading.
Loose	Not tightly structured	The loose structure reflects the character’s wandering mind.
Bland	Lacking strong features or characteristics	The bland tone fails to engage the audience.
Salient	Most noticeable or important	The salient points are emphasized through repetition.
Pertinent	Relevant and applicable	Only pertinent details are included in the report.
Significant	Important and meaningful	The significant themes are woven throughout.
Emphatic	Showing emphasis or importance	The speaker’s emphatic tone commands attention.
Optimism	Hopefulness and confidence about the future	The story is filled with optimism for the future.
Optimistic	Expecting positive outcomes	The optimistic narrator sees hope everywhere.
Pessimism	Tendency to see the worst	Pessimism pervades the novel’s worldview.
Pessimistic	Expecting negative outcomes	The pessimistic tone dampens the mood.
Skepticism	Doubt about accepted beliefs	Skepticism toward authority is a central theme.
Skeptical	Doubting or questioning	The character remains skeptical of promises.
Reverence	Deep respect or awe	The poem expresses reverence for nature.
Irreverence	Lack of respect for things usually taken seriously	The irreverence challenges traditional values.
Fatalistic	Belief that all events are predetermined	A fatalistic attitude colors the story’s ending.
Notorious	Famous for a negative reason	The figure is notorious for corrupt practices.
Controversial	Giving rise to public disagreement	The book’s controversial ideas sparked debate.
Popular	Widely liked or appreciated	The novel remains popular among young adults.
Elite	Select and superior group	Elite audiences may appreciate the subtle references.
Populist	Appealing to ordinary people	The populist rhetoric appeals to everyday people.
Academic	Related to scholarly pursuits	The academic article uses technical language.
Journalistic	Related to reporting facts	The journalistic style focuses on facts.
Scientific	Based on science and evidence	The scientific tone emphasizes evidence and logic.
Intellectual	Related to intellect or reasoning	The intellectual arguments appeal to specialists.

🧠 GENRE, DEVICE & STRUCTURAL TERMS

Term	Definition	Usage Example
Dialogue	Conversation between characters	The dialogue reveals character dynamics clearly.
Monologue	Extended speech by one character	The monologue exposes the protagonist’s inner thoughts.
Dream Vision	Narrative involving a dream revealing truths	The dream vision symbolizes the character’s fears.
Episode	A distinct event or scene in a narrative	Each episode builds tension in the serialized story.
Episodic	Consisting of loosely connected episodes	The novel has an episodic structure with loosely connected parts.
Memoir	A personal narrative about one’s life	The memoir reflects on the author’s youth.
Journalistic	Related to news reporting	The journalistic tone presents the facts objectively.
Treatise	Formal written work on a subject	The treatise argues for reform in education.
Sermon	Religious or moral speech	The sermon urges moral reform through passionate rhetoric.
Tirade	Long angry speech	The character’s tirade criticizes societal corruption.
Diatribe	Bitter verbal attack	The diatribe attacks the hypocrisy of politicians.
Valediction	Farewell speech or statement	The valediction concludes the speech on a hopeful note.
Ode	Poem praising a subject	The ode celebrates the beauty of nature.
Pastiche	Work imitating another style	The novel is a pastiche of detective and horror genres.
History	Account of past events	The history traces the rise of industrialization.
Homage	Respectful tribute	The poem is an homage to classical literature.
Jeremiad	Prolonged lamentation or complaint	The jeremiad warns of impending doom if society fails.
Revelation	Surprising disclosure	The revelation changes the course of the plot.
Philosophy	Study of fundamental nature of knowledge	The philosophy underlying the text questions human nature.
Riddle	Puzzle or problem to solve	The riddle challenges the protagonist’s intellect.
Romance	Narrative focused on love	The romance subplot adds emotional depth.
Precept	Principle or rule of conduct	The story teaches a moral precept about honesty.
Cautionary Tale	Story warning of danger	The cautionary tale warns of the dangers of greed.