Reading and Writing Vocabulary Notes

Vocabulary Words and Definitions

Depict

  • v. to represent something as a picture or in words.

Phenomenon

  • n. An occurrence, situation, or fact that is or can be observed.

Rhetoric

  • n. persuasive or artful use of language

Evoke

  • v. to bring an image, a feeling, a memory, etc. into one's mind

Inherent

  • adj. naturally present as a feature or quality of something or someone

Qualify

  • v. to modify a previous statement by making the meaning weaker or less general

Conviction

  • n. a strong belief or opinion

Devise

  • v. to invent something new or a new way of doing something

Undermine

  • v. (1) to make something, especially someone's confidence or authority, gradually weaker or less effective; (2) to make something weaker at the base, for example by digging under it

Recount

  • v. to tell a story

Foster

  • v. to help the development of someone or something

Refute

  • v. to disprove

Paradox

  • n. a statement containing opposite ideas that make it seem absurd or unlikely, although it is or may be true

Tentative

  • adj. done or said without certainty that it is right, definite, or final; not confident

Anecdote

  • n. a brief story, often humorous

Motif

  • n. (1) a design or a pattern used as a decoration (2) a subject, an idea or a phrase that is repeated and developed in a work of literature or a piece of music

Abstract

  • adj. existing in thought or as an idea but not having physical or practical existence

Meticulous

  • adj. paying careful attention to every detail

Erroneous

  • adj. not correct; wrong

Oblivious

  • adj. lacking awareness

Convey

  • v. (1) to make ideas, feelings, etc. known to someone (2) to take, carry, or transport someone or something from one place to another
  • adj. showing lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment; foolishly ready to believe what one is told

Genre

  • n. a particular type or style of literature, art, film, or music recognizable because of its special features

Inhibit

  • v. (1) to make someone too nervous or embarrassed to do something; (2) to hold back or prevent a process or action

Induce

  • v. to persuade or influence.

Persist

  • v. to continue despite difficulty

Discourse

  • n. spoken or written language, especially a long and serious treatment or discussion of a subject

Aesthetic

  • adj. relating to beauty

Sublime

  • adj. (1) of the best or most excellent kind; inspiring awe; (2) extreme, especially in a way that shows one is not aware of one's actions

Conception

  • n. (1) the formation of a basic idea; (2) an idea, a plan, or an intention

Eccentric

  • adj. (of people or their behavior) unusual; unconventional; odd

Futile

  • adj. useless; having no purpose

Mundane

  • adj. not interesting or exciting

Magnitude

  • n. the great size or importance of something; the degree to which something is large or important

Exemplify

  • v. to illustrate by example