Term
|
Definition
| The repetition of initial consonant sounds or any vowel sounds within a formal grouping, such as a poetic line or stanza, or in close proximity in prose (ex: Together we have been through thick and thin) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The juxtaposition of sharply contrasting ideas in balanced or parallel words or phrases |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The regular repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses. It is a common element in the most famous speeches (“Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” JFK) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A moral fable, especially one with animals as characters |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Figure of speech by which the order of the terms in the first of parallel clauses is reversed in the second. (ex: “Has the Church failed mankind, or has mankind failed the Church?”-- T.S. Eliot) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An unexpected power or event saving a seemingly hopeless situation, especially as a contrived plot device in a play or novel (ex: the hero shows up at the last moment to save the day) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The audience knows or understands something that a character does not |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A rhetorical appeal to reason |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A rhetorical appeal to show the writer's credibility |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A rhetorical appeal to audience emotion |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing (exs: passed away, laid off) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A narrative technique in which a story is surrounded ("framed") by a secondary story, creating a story within a story |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Placing of two items side by side to create a certain effect, reveal an attitude, or accomplish some other purpose |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Hints or clues as to what could come next in a text or story |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An expression not to be taken literally (similes, metaphors, personification, and oxymoron are examples) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A comparison of two unlike things without using like or as |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A comparison that extends over several lines of a poem or prose text |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A newly coined word or expression |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A phrase or subordinate clause that is NOT essential to the meaning of sentence (ex: Grandpa Hank, who worked his whole life as a mail carrier, saved my life.) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A phrase or subordinate clause that is essential to the meaning of sentence (ex: The man who saved my life was my Grandpa Hank.) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A contradiction in terms (ex: jumbo shrimp; clearly confused) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A list of items connected by conjunctions (ex: We need guns and ships and men.) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A list of items without conjunctions (ex: We need guns, ships, men.) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Two or more adjectives used to describe a noun or pronoun (ex: Sandra was smart, brave, and able.) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A sentence that makes a statement (ex: Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water.) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A sentence that asks a question (ex: Who was the second president of the United States?) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A sentence that expresses strong emotion (ex: We won!) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A sentence that gives a command (ex: Leave us alone.) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Recurrent syntactical similarity where several parts of a sentence or several sentences are expressed in the same structure to show that the ideas in the parts or sentences equal in importance. It also adds balance, rhythm, and clarity to the sentence. (ex: "I have always searched for, but have never found, the perfect painting for that wall.") |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A sentence construction in which the subject does not perform the action (ex: The book was written by Stephen King.) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A sentence containing one independent (or main) clause. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A sentence that contains two or more independent (or main) clauses |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A sentence that contains one independent (or main) and at least one subordinate clause |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A group of words with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone as its own sentence; it is dependent on an independent (or main) clause. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A part of speech that shows the emotion or feeling of the author |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A conclusion based on textual evidence |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The attitude of the author towards his or her subject |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A logical fallacy that is also called circular reasoning: an argument's premise assumes the truth of the conclusion, instead of supporting it. In other words, you assume without proof a stand/position. |
|
|
