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Simile

A comparison of two unlike things using "like" or "as"

Metaphor

A comparison without using like or as a kind of analogy that uses figurative language connecting one thing to another to highlight how they're alike

Allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

Euphemism

An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant

Thesis

Focus statement of an essay; premise statement upon which the point of view or discussion in the essay is based.

dramatic irony

Irony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.

cliche

a worn-out idea or overused expression

What is the first step in evaluating reasoning in an essay or article? Identify the conclusion. Identify the premise. Evaluate the information. Reject or accept the conclusion. Begin with a counter argument.

answer: Identify the conclusion. Explanation Our first step (when evaluating reasoning) is to identify the conclusion.

Which of the following is NOT a motif from Sense and Sensibility? Marriage mismatches Weather Long walks Green light

answer: green light Explanation A motif that is NOT found in 'Sense and Sensibility' is a green light. Jane Austen took a much more subtle approach with her motifs, such as marriage mismatches, weather and long walks.

deductive reasoning

general to specific

Denotation

the literal meaning of a word

gist

the main point

deductive validity

true, true or false, false

illusion

(n.) a false idea; something that one seems to see or to be aware that really does not exist

Synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole (as hand for sailor), the whole for a part (as the law for police officer), the specific for the general (as cutthroat for assassin), the general for the specific (as thief for pickpocket), or the material for the thing made from it (as steel for sword).

onomatopoeia

A word that imitates the sound it represents. ex. Bang! The plate crashed to the floor

Motif

An object that is placed several times throughout a piece of literature

situational irony

An outcome that turns out to be very different from what was expected

At the beginning of The Raven, the narrator hears a tapping at the door. Who does he think it is? a. the Raven b. Lenore c. a ghost d. his child

Answer: Lenore Explanation The narrator thinks that the tapping on the door he hears is Lenore. He opens it to see that she is not there.

4 Why does the narrator of The Raven call the bird ''a thing of evil''? a. The bird has made him realize he will never reunite with his love. b. The bird is bothering the narrator by repeating itself over and over again. c. The bird will not leave. d. The bird is physically hurting the narrator.

Answer: The bird has made him realize he will never reunite with his love. Explanation The narrator has realized that he will never reunite again with his love. The bird has made him realize this and he is angry.

Indirectly referring to another work or Greek character such as 'Pallas' is known as: a. an illusion b. an allusion c. an equivocation d. a paradox

Answer: an allusion Explanation Indirectly referring to another work is known as an allusion. In The Raven, the author mentions 'Pallas', who is the Greek Goddess of Wisdom. Allusions can help a reader to make connections with the story.

This type of literary device compares two things using 'like' or 'as', and can be found within the first sentence of the passage from The Jungle Book: a. metaphor b. simile c. euphemism d. onomatopoeia

Answer: simile Explanation A simile is found in the second part of the first sentence, 'the steady wolf's trot that eats up the long miles like fire'. A comparison is made between the wolf's trot and fire. He is covering a lot of ground as he walks.

Paradox

Something that seems to make sense at first, but does not upon further investigation and seems contradictory

Equivocation

When a writer uses the same term in two different senses in an argument.

In the following sentence, which word serves as a definition of 'transient'? 'Her transient thoughts of quitting her dead-end job are fleeting, lasting only as long as the weekly meeting she abhors.' Fleeting Abhors Thoughts Quitting dead-end

answer fleeting Explanation Transient can best be described as not lasting, or fleeting.

Which statement best describes what we can learn about themes from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet? A story's lasting power depends on a simple, singular theme. A story about romantic love or war is almost always powerful and relatable. A story's subject is its theme. A story can contain multiple themes. Wealth and power

answer: A story can contain multiple themes. Explanation Romeo and Juliet has multiple themes, including not only love, but loyalty, family obligations and passion.

Which of the following does NOT describe a theme? A theme may be interpreted differently by different authors. A theme can be separated into major and minor ideas. A theme can be carried throughout a work of literature. A theme is the subject of a piece of literature.

answer: A theme is the subject of a piece of literature. Explanation A theme is NOT the subject of a piece of literature. Instead, it is an underlying message that can be carried throughout the literature. It is the central idea of a story that can be separated into ideas and interpreted in different ways.

Consider the following paragraph: I always vote for the National Party candidate in gubernatorial elections. This year, Sally Smith is the National Party candidate for governor, so I will vote for Sally Smith for governor this year. Which type of reasoning is displayed in this paragraph? Deductive reasoning Inductive reasoning Flawed reasoning Illogical reasoning Emotional appeal

answer: Deductive reasoning Explanation In the above paragraph, the writer has moved from the general to the specific; therefore, we can conclude that deductive reasoning is displayed.

In Robert Frost's 'Mending Wall', what is the denotation of walking the line? The practice of securing a property line Something that keeps two people apart Following the rules and doing what is socially expected When people are distant from one another emotionally when people are separated from one another emotionally

answer: The practice of securing a property line Explanation Since we are looking for denotation, it refers to the actual practice of securing a property line.

inductive reasoning

specific to general

Metonymy

substituting the name of one object for another object closely associated with it

transient

temporary, fleeting

Foreshadowing

the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot

What is the purpose of foreshadowing in literature? Authors use it to hint toward future events, it also helps build suspense and develop the plot. It is used by authors to keep readers from predicting the how the story will end. Its purpose is to link characters together throughout the plot so readers are not confused It is used as a way to conceal future events in a story in order to build suspense for the reader. a red herring

answer: Authors use it to hint toward future events, it also helps build suspense and develop the plot. Explanation The purpose of foreshadowing in literature is to hint toward future events, build suspense, and develop the plot. Foreshadowing can be direct or subtle. This device adds dimension to the overall story.

What is deductive validity? a. We should divide information into reasonable examples. b. It is impossible for the conclusion to be true if the premise is false c. We should multiple by 2 or deuce. d. If a premise is true, the conclusion must be false. e. if the conclusion is true, the premise must be false.

answer: It is impossible for the conclusion to be true if the premise is false Explanation Deductive validity states that it is impossible for the conclusion to be true if the premise is false. In other words, if the premise cannot stand on its own, the conclusion has no chance of being true.

What should you be able to do once you've finished interpreting a piece of literature? a. Understand how the story would continue if the plot went longer. b. Understand the characters so that you know them better than the author does. c. Understand why the author wrote the story. d. State the theme of the story and see how it relates to the story elements and your own experiences. e. State the theme of the story and see how it relates to the elements and your experiences

answer: State the theme of the story and see how it relates to the story elements and your own experiences. Explanation By asking questions in each of the story elements, you are starting to make connections to the text. When we take this final step, we have interpreted the writing. We are now able to see how our own experiences, the author's story and its elements, and the theme relate to each other.

Identify the synecdoche or metonym in this sentence: While the suits in Congress debate and Wall Street asks for another bailout, America waits for good news. Synecdoche: America; Metonymy: Wall Street, suits Synecdoche: suits; Metonymy: Wall Street, America Synecdoche: suits, Congress; Metonymy: Wall Street, America Synecdoche: Wall Street, America; Metonymy: suits Synecdoche - Wall Street, suits; Metonymy - America

answer: Synecdoche: America; Metonymy: Wall Street, suits Explanation America here is synecdoche for members of the United States of America, not all members of North and South America. Hence, the whole refers to the part. Wall Street is a metonym for the banking sector (not actually all on Wall Street, but the word is closely associated with banking), while suits in this case is a metonym for politicians (Congressmen, specifically).

Why do mystery writers use red herrings? They are fake clues to lead the reader away from the real answer to the mystery. They are symbols that hint about what is in store for a character. These are specific clues for the reader to help them solve the mystery. They are ambiguous clues for careful readers to use in solving the mystery. symbolic foreshadowing

answer: They are fake clues to lead the reader away from the real answer to the mystery. Explanation Mystery writers use red herrings, which are fake clues, to throw the reader off, leading them away from the real answer to the mystery. Red herrings are deliberately placed clues that a reader may later go back and find. They are a form of foreshadowing.

Writers use metaphors for all of the following reasons EXCEPT: a. To force the reader to consider the subject of the metaphor from a new angle. b. To make the reader confused, therefore requiring the reader to think harder. c. To make the writing more interesting and effective. d. To make an equivalency between one thing and another to highlight how they're similar.

answer: To make the reader confused, therefore requiring the reader to think harder. Explanation Metaphors are used to highlight how two things are similar, to make the writing interesting, and to assist the reader in considering a new angle. A metaphor should not confuse a reader, but instead, be used as a tool to provide clarity through comparison.

In this passage from The Jungle Book, the horrified villagers see Mowgli with two wolves at his heels and a bundle on his head. The reader is already aware and understands the presence of the wolves. An ironic situation that only a reader or audience member knows about is referred to as: dramatic irony situational irony verbal irony emotional irony

answer: dramatic irony Explanation An ironic situation that only a reader or audience member knows about is referred to as dramatic irony. The characters are not yet aware of the situation, but it is eventually revealed.

in Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, the literature takes place in two cities and there are two opposing female characters, Lucie and Madame Defarge. These examples, and any object that is placed several times throughout a piece of literature, are known as a: motif theme metaphor paradox

answer: motif Explanation An object that is placed several times throughout a piece of literature is known as a motif. Motifs can help to contribute to the theme that the author has suggested, as mentioned with the given Charles Dickens examples.

In Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, the phrase 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' is an example of a: cliché equivocation allusion paradox

answer: paradox Explanation Something that seems to make sense at first, but does not upon further investigation, is known as a paradox. A paradox is a contradiction.

Inductive reasoning involves _____ starting with specific details and moving to a larger concluding point or generalization. starting with a generalization and moving to specific details. applying your thesis statement directly to your concluding idea. beginning with transitional sentences and ending with your thesis. presenting only examples and details instead of main ideas. Explanation Inductive reasoning involves starting with specific details and moving to a larger concluding point or generalization.

answer: starting with specific details and moving to a larger concluding point or generalization. Explanation Inductive reasoning involves starting with specific details and moving to a larger concluding point or generalization.

What are the two types of premises an argument can have? Stated and implied. Simple and complex. Spoken and mimed. Covered and hidden. Stated and repeated.

answer: stated and implied Explanation When we evaluate the reasoning behind an argument, we look at the argument presented and find both the conclusion and the stated premise, as well as any implied premise.

2. Which of the following terms is most closely related to the word 'motif'? Personification Practicality Narration Symbolism

answer: symbolism Explanation A motif can be as overt as caged birds, or symbolic such as complex as changing weather.

If the premise is untrue, what does that mean for the conclusion? The conclusion must be rejected. The conclusion is more probable. The conclusion must be the premise. The conclusion is probably still true. We just have to keep looking. The conclusion can still be considered true, just unsupported.

answer: the conclusion must be rejected Explanation If the premise is true and a good predictor of the stated conclusion, we can accept the conclusion. If our premise is false, we must reject the conclusion.

Denotation and Connotation

denotation is the specific, exact meaning of a word Connotation is the words underlying meanings; all the stuff we associate with the word .

walk the line denotes

practice of walking along and securing a property line.

verbal irony

sarcasm