English Technical Terms

anecdote

a very short revealing story used as an illustration in exposition or persuasion

paradox

an apparent contraditioction that nevertheless turns out to be fundamentally true

simile

an explicit comparison between two items essentially unalike, but alike in a particular way in which the writer is interested

allusion

an explicit or implicit reference to characters, places, events in history of literature

symbol

an object/ person/ situation/ object that has a meaning in addition to its literal meaning

antithesis

contrasting ideas where the contrasst is often emphasized by a balanced grammatical structure

juxtaposition

contrasting items are placed against one another and often presented without authorial comment. the reader understands each item better by thinking about the contrast

atmosphere

really another term for mood

rhetorical devices

sometimes the term stylistic devices is used. these are language tools deliberatley chosen by the writer as parts of the strategy to accomplish the purpose of his/ her writing. diction, figurative language, selection of detail, repetition, use of allusions, syntax are all examples of the kinds of devices you need to consider

sarcasm

speech that may be funny but that is always intended to hurt

analogy

term used when an argument is based upon an elleged likeness

Rhetoric

the art and logic of a written or spoken argument

tone

the attitude of the writer or speaker towards the subject, the audience, him/ herself

diction

the choice of specific words and levels of language

narrative

writing that tells a story. among narrative devices you may notice methods like a flashback or a letter or a story within a story or multiple voices recounting the same event

exposition

writing which is a detailed explanation

repetition

this term is obvious in meaning, but always significatnt- watch for different effects: straightforward emphasis or ironic shifts

pun

words play- words that have a double meaning

parallelism

words/ phrases are presented in balanced, grammatically similar ways

satire

writing etc. product that ridicules human foolishness or evil to keep other from this or bring about reform

hyperbole

overstatement or exaggeration

metaphor

a figure of pseech that makes an implicit comparison by describing one thing in terms of another. unlike a simile there is no use of like or as to make the comparison

personification

a figure of speech in which the qualities of a human are attributed to animals, inamnimate objects, abstract ideas

Allegory

a narratice or a paiting with two levels of meaning

appositive

a phrase set off by commas and modifying the noun that immediatley precedes or follows it

Rhetorical Question

a question that provokes the answer in the listener's mind but is asked for dramatic effecr rather than to hear an answer

tension

a sense of expectation and excitement because of the conflict and the mood

argument

the form of writing that appeals to readers reason and emotions in order to win

description

the form of writing that conveys the perception of the senses to make the person object or state of mind, more concrete

mood

the general emotional atmosphere created by a combination of characters, setting, languages- a suspensful mood, an eerie mood

antecedent

the grammatical term for a noun or pronoun to which another pronoun refers back

parody

the imitation of the content of an authors work or style for the purpose of ridicule or satire

audience

the intended readers, hearers, viewers

understatement

the opposite of hyperbole. the effect of emphasis is achieed by playing down the size or the significance or the importance of somthing

syntax

the order in which words are arranged in a sentence

evocation

the production of a vivd impression of reality through the use of language

pathos

the qualities of a piece of writing that evoke emotional feelings

imagery

the representation through words and their connotations of sense experience

persona

the speaker of a text. readers encounter the voice of the persona created by the author

pacing

the speed of the narration or exposition

euphemism

the use of a pleasant sounding word or phrase to avoid mentioning what is seen as an unpleasant reality

figurative language

this is the opposite of literal language. it is a broad term for language used imaginatively, for example, metaphors etc.

irony

three kinds; irony of situation- situation is different then expected- dramatic iron- the audience knows more than the speaker- verbal irony- the statement means the opposite or something every diffferent that what seems to be said

onomatopoeia

use of words that mimic their meanings in their sound