APLA Vocab Satire-Wit

transition

A word or phrase that links different ideas. Used especially in expository and argumentative writing, effectively signal a shift from one idea to another. Ex: furthermore, consequently, nevertheless, etc.

unreliable narrator

An untrustworthy or naïve commentator on events and characters in a story. Huck Finn is on of American literature's most famous of this type.

syllogism

From the Greek for "reckoning together," is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called "major" and the second, "minor") that lead to a sound conclusion. Ex: major Premise: All men are mortal. minor premise: Socrates is a man. conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal. [...] conclusion is valid only if each of the two premises is valid. may present the specific idea first ("Socrates") and the general second ("All men").

thesis

In expository writing, the [...] statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position. Expository writing is usually judged by analyzing how accurately, effectively ,and throughly a writer has proved the [...]

wit

In modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. is humorous, while suggesting the speaker's verbal power in creating ingenious and perceptive remarks. usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement. wit originally meant basic understanding. Its meaning evolved to include speed of understanding, and finally (in the early 17th century), it grew to mean quick perception including creative fancy and a quick tongue to articulate an answer that demanded the same quick perception.

tone

Similar to mood, describes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both. easier to determine in spoken language than in written language. Considering how a work would sound if it were read aloud can help in identifying an author's tone. Some words describing tone are playful, serious, businesslike, etc.

theme

The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life. Usually unstated in fictional works, but in nonfiction, the theme may be directly stated, especially in expository or argumentative writing.

understatement

The ironic minimizing of fact, presents something as less significant than it is. effect can be humorous and emphatic.

syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. similar to diction can differentiate them--think of [...] as the groups of words while diction refers to the individual words

subject complement

The word (with any accompanying phrases) or clauses that follows a linking verb and completes the subject of the sentence by either (1) renaming it (technically a predicate nominative) (2) describing it. (technically a predicate adjective)

style

Two purposes (1) evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending figurative language, and other literary devices. Some authors' styles are so idiosyncratic so are easily recognized Ex: compare Jonathan Swift to George Orwell Styles can be called flowery, explicit, succinct, rambling, etc. (2) Classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors. can see how an author's style reflects and helps to define a historical period, (ex. Renaissance) or a literary movement (ex. romantic movement)

zeugma

a trope, one word (usually a noun or main verb) governs two other words not related in meaning. Ex: "He maintained a business and his innocence."

subordinate clause

aka dependent clause Like all clauses, this word group contains both a subject and a verb (plus any accompanying phrases or modifiers unlike the independent clause, the subordinate clause cannot stand alone depends on a main clause to complete its meaning. Easily recognized key words and phrases usually begin these clauses ex: although, because, unless, etc.

trope

an artful variation from expected modes of expression of thoughts and ideas., a figure of speech involving a "turn" or change of sense—a use of the word in a sense other than its proper or literal one. Common types include: metaphor, synecdoche, metonymy, personification, hyperbole

undertone

an attitude that may lie under the ostensible tone of the piece. Ex: Under a cheery surface, a work may have threatening undertones. William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper" from the Songs of Innocence has a grim undertone.

symbol

anything that represents itself and stands for something else. Usually is something concrete--such as an object, or character--that represents something more abstract. three categories: (1) Natural symbols represent ideas commonly associated with them (dawn symbolizing hope or a new beginning, a rose symbolizing love). (2) Conventional symbols are those that have been invested with meaning by a group (religious symbols--cross; national--flag or an eagle; group symbols--skull and crossbones for pirates). (3) are sometimes also conventional--are found in a variety of works and are generally recognized. may be more complicated as is the whale in Moby Dick

semantics

branch of linguistics--studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.

satire

targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing. can be recognized by use of irony, wit, parody, caricature, hyperbole, understatement, and sarcasm. good satire=thought provoking and insightful about the human condition.