English Flashcards 1st 9 Weeks
Absolute
A word free from limitations or qualification ("best", "all", "unique", "perfect")
Allusion
A reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize.
Analogy
A comparison of two different things that are similar in some way.
Anaphora
Repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses (Example from the greatest Richard D. Bury: "In books I find the dead as if they were alive; in books I foresee things to come; in books warlike affairs are set forth; from books come forth the laws of peace.
Anecdote
A brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event
Antithesis
A statement in which two opposing ideas are balanced in a parallel structure
Aphorism
A concise statement that expresses succinctly a general truth or idea, often using rhyme or balance
Attitude
The writer's personal views or feelings about the subject; (closely related to tone) attitude generally refers to the characteristics of the writer/speaker, whereas tone refers to characteristics of the text.
Audience
Refers to the listeners or spectators at a speech or performance, or the intended readership for a piece of writing. Must be considered by the speaker within the context of the rhetorical situation.
Cliché
An expression that has been used to the extent that its freshness has worn off ("the time of my life", "at the drop of a hat", etc.)
Colloquialism
Informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing
Complex Sentence
A sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause
Compound Sentence
A sentence with two or more coordinate independent clauses, often joined by one or more conjunctions.
Compound-Complex Sentence
A sentence with two or more principal clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.
Concrete Details
Details that relate to or describe actual, specific things or events
Connotation
The implied or associative meaning of a word (slender vs. skinny; cheap vs. thrifty)
Declarative sentence
A sentence that makes a statement or declaration
Denotation
The literal meaning of a word
Dialect
A variety of speech characterized by its own particular grammar or pronunciation, often associated with a particular geographical region (Y'all = Southern dialect)
Diction
The word choices made by a writer (diction can be described as formal, semi-formal, ornate, informal, technical, etc.)
Ethos
The persuasive appeal of one's character or credibility
Euphemism
An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant.
Exclamatory Sentence
A sentence expressing strong feeling, usually punctuated with an exclamation mark.
Exigence
An issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak.
Idiom
An expression in a given language that cannot be understood from the literal meaning of the words in expression; or, a regional speech or dialect ("fly on the wall", "cut to the chase", etc.)
Imagery
The use of figures of speech to create vivid images that appeal to one of the senses
Imperative Sentence
A sentence that gives a command
Implication
A suggestion an author or speaker makes (implies) without stating it directly. NOTE: The author/speaker implies; the reader/audience infers.
Inference
A conclusion based on-premises or evidence.
Interrogative Sentence
A sentence that asks a question.
Irony
The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; or, incongruity between what is expected and what actually occurs (situational, verbal, dramatic)
Jargon
The specialized language or vocabulary of a particular group or profession.
Juxtaposition
Placing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast.
Logical Fallacy
Common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument. Fallacies can be either illegitimate arguments or irrelevant points and are often identified because they lack evidence that supports their claim.
Logos
Appeal to reason or logic
Metaphor
A direct comparison of two different things
Mood
The emotional atmosphere of a work
Motif
A standard theme, element, or dramatic situation that recurs in various works.
Paradox
An apparently contradictory statement that actually contains some truth ("Whoever loses his life, shall find it.")
Parallelism
The use of corresponding grammatical or syntactical forms.
Parody
A humorous imitation of a serious work (Weird AI Yankovich's songs and the Scary Movie series are examples)
Parenthetical
A comment that interrupts the immediate subject, often to qualify or explain
Pathos
The quality in a work that prompts the reader to feel pity.
Personification
Endowing non-human objects or creatures with human qualities or characteristics
Perspective
Why an author believes their position is correct. May be based on background, interests, expertise, etc.
Position
The stance taken on an issue; may support, refute, or qualify a claim.
Purpose
What the speaker is hoping to accomplish by putting the text out into the world. Remember, the message itself does not equal the purpose. Examples: To inform, to persuade, to inspire, to convince
Qualifying Thesis Statement
Shows there could be more than one perspective on an issue. Often uses qualifying words like if, when, somewhat, etc.
Rhetoric
The art of presenting ideas in a clear, effective, and persuasive manner
Rhetorical Question
A question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer
Rhetorical Devices
Literary techniques used to heighten the effectiveness of expression
Sarcasm
Harsh, cutting language or tone intended to ridicule; verbal irony
Satire
The use of humor to emphasize human weaknesses or imperfections in social institutions (Jonathon Swift's Gulliver's Travels, The Simpsons, etc.)
Simile
A comparison of two things using "like", "As", or other specifically comparative words
Simple Sentence
A sentence consisting of one independent clause and no dependent clause
Speaker
The voice behind the work. Does NOT have to be the author.
Structure
The arrangement or framework of a sentence, paragraph, or entire work
Style
The choices a writer makes; the combination of distinctive features of a literary work (when analyzing style, one may consider diction, figurative language, sentence structure, etc.)
Subject
1. The word or phrase which controls the verb in the clause; what does the action of the 2. What a work is mostly about
Synesthesia
Describing one kind of sensation in terms of another ("a loud color", "a sweet sound")
Syntax
The manner in which words are arranged into sentences, sentence structure.
Theme
The underlying message(s) that an author is trying to convey
Tone
The attitude of a writer, usually implied toward subject or audience
Understatement
The deliberate representation of something as lesser in magnitude (smaller, worse, or less important) than it is.
Vernacular
The everyday speech of a particular country or region, often involving nonstandard usage.