RA Terms #3

Metaphor – A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. It makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought-provoking, and meaningful.

Metonymy (mi-tun-uh-mee) – A figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.

Mood – In literature, mood is the atmosphere of the narrative, which is established to affect the reader emotionally and psychologically and to provide a feeling for the narrative. It is created by means of setting, diction, tone or attitude (of the narrator and of the characters), and descriptions (imagery, figurative language, vivid language, etc.).

Narrative – The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.

Onomatopoeia (on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh) – A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur.

Oxymoron – From the Greek for "pointedly foolish," a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

Paradox – A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense, but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity. It is used to point out an apparent contradiction.

Parallelism – AKA parallel construction or parallel structure. It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. This can involve, but is not limited to, repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase. The effects of parallelism are numerous, but frequently they act as an organizing force to attract the reader's attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm.

Parody – A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

Pedantic (puh-dan-tik) – An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.

Periodic sentence – A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. This independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone.

Personification – A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions. Personification is used to make these abstractions, animals, or objects appear more vivid to the reader.

Polysyndeton (poly-sin-dih-ton) – Figure of addition and emphasis which employs a series of conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) not normally found in successive words, phrases or clauses; the deliberate use of excessive conjunctions in successive words or clauses.

First person POV -tells the story with the first person pronoun, “I.” This narrator can be the protagonist, a participant (character in a secondary role), or an observer (a character who merely watches the action).

Second person POV -addresses the reader with the second person pronoun, “you,” as part of the text.

third person omniscient - the narrator, with godlike knowledge, presents the thoughts and actions of any or all characters. This all-knowing narrator can reveal what each character feels and thinks at any given moment.
third person limited omniscient - presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character, presenting only the actions of all remaining characters. This definition applies in question in the multiple-choice section.

Prose – Prose refers to fiction and non-fiction texts that are not verse/poetry. The printer determines the length of the line, as opposed to poetry, in which the poet determines the length of the line.

Repetition – The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.

Rhetoric – The art or skill of speaking or writing formally and effectively, especially as a way to persuade or influence people.

Rhetorical modes – This flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and purposes of the major kinds of writing. The four most common rhetorical modes, often referred to as modes of discourse, are the following:

exposition -(or expository writing) is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.

argumentation -is to prove the validity of an idea or point of view by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader. Persuasive writing is a type of argumentation having an additional aim of urging some form of action.

description -is to recreate, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so that the reader can picture it. Sometimes an author engages all five senses in description. Descriptive writing may be straightforward and objective or highly emotional and subjective.

narration - is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events. This writing mode frequently uses the tools of descriptive writing.