Pearson Literature 10, Unit 2, Part 2
Simile
A direct comparison that contains the words like or as: My little brother is as annoying and tenacious as a swarm of mosquitos
Address
A formal, prepared speech that is usually delivered by someone of importance
Direct objects
A noun or pronoun that receives the action of an action verb
Presentation
A prepared speech about a topic; may include visual aids
Sermon
A prepared, often formal speech intended to teach or inspire
Lecture
A prepared, often formal speech that informs or instructs an audience
Extemporaneous Speech
A speech delivered without preparation, usually in a conversational style.
Action verb
A verb that shows physical or mental action
Analytic essay
A writer explores an idea by breaking it into parts
Interpretive essay
A writer presents his or her understanding of an issue or topic
Understatement
A writer speaks of people, things, or events as if they were less important than they are
Talk
An informal speech delivered in a conversational style
Personification
Assigns human characteristics to a nonhuman subject: The old car coughed, wheezed, and refused to move.
Persuasive essay or argument
Attempts to convince readers to accept the writer's point of view on an issue or to take a particular course of action
Appeals to Emotions
Calls upon feelings like fear, sympathy, or pride
Appeals to Reason
Calls upon logic
Appeals to Shared Values
Calls upon shared beliefs about what is good, right, or fair
Appeals to authority
Calls upon the opinions of experts
Analogies
Comparisons that show similarities between things that are otherwise not alike Example: Our belief in this mission is a fire that keeps us warm.
Metaphor
Described one thing as if it were another: Each day is a gift
Descriptions
Details that tell what something looks like, sounds like, and so on
Connotations
Emotional associations
Hyperbole
Exaggeration
Expository essay
Explains a topic by providing information about it or by exploring an idea related to it
Linking verb
Expresses state of being or tells what the subject is by linking it to one or more words in the predicate
Comparison-and-contrast organization
Groups ideas according to their similarities and differences
Problem-and-solution organization
Identified a problem, and then presents ways to solve it.
Imagery
Includes vivid details that appeal to the five senses of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell
Rhetorical question
Inquiries that have obvious answers and that are asked for effect Examples: Do you really need to talk on your cell phone while you drive? Can't that call wait?
Figured of speech
Makes unexpected comparisons or describes and explains in fresh, imaginative ways. Three common figures of speech are simile, metaphor and personification.
Statistics
Numerical data that presents important information on a subject
Rhetorical devices
Patterns of word choice, syntax, and meaning used to emphasize ideas, including parallelism, the use of simulase grammatical structures to express related ideas.
List organization
Presents connected details consecutively or sorts them into categories
Spatial order
Presents details from left to right, bottom to top, near to far, and so on
Chronological order
Presents events in the order in which they happen
Reflective essay
Presents experiences that inspired the writers thoughts or feelings about a topic
Descriptive essay
Provides specific details to create an impression of a person, an object, or an experience.
Repetition
Reuse of a key word, phrase or idea Example: we will play with pride. We will play with sportsmanship. We will play to win.
Cause-and-effect organization
Shows how one event causes another
Examples
Specific cases that illustrate an idea
Expert opinions
Statements made by people who have special knowledge of a topic
Facts
Statements that can be proved true
Reasons
Statements that justify or explain a belief
Narrative essay
Tells the story of real events or experiences
Style
The authors distinct approach to writing; stylistic events include authors syntax (sentence structure, length, and variety) and diction (word choice)
Tone
The authors emotional attitude toward his or her subject and audience
Author's purpose
The authors main reason for writing
Central idea
The authors main, or central, point
Point of view
The authors overall stance on the subject; an authors point of view reflects his or her beliefs, experiences, and values
Restatement
The expression of the same idea in different words to strengthen a point Example: we won't give up. Quitting is not an option
Structure
The organizational pattern the author uses to develop and present his or her ideas
Parallel structure
The use of similar grammatical structures to express related ideas. Example: They will walk out of the darkness, into the light, beyond limitations.
What is the purpose of narrative writing?
To entertain by telling a story.
What is the main purpose of an expository essay?
To inform or explain
What is the purpose of argumentative writing?
To persuade or convice readers to believe or to do something
Indirect object
Used with a direct object and named the person or thing that something is given to or done for
Satire
When a writer uses humor to point out the foolishness of a particular type of human behavior or of a particular institution.
Passive voice (verb)
When the action is performed on the subject
Active voice (verb)
When the subject performs the action
Figurative language
Writing or speech that is not meant to be interpreted literally.
