Vocab week 16-20

stylistic

The author creates purposeful literary effects on the reader using traditional literary elements to a very noticeable degree; for example, a heavy emphasis on imagery or irony Authors: Ian Mcewan and Stephen King sentence: On a starry winter night in Portugal Where the ocean kissed the southern shore There a dream I never thought would come to pass Came and went like time spent through an hourglass Features: a lot of descriptive language.

empathic

a direct style through which the author's strong feelings are very clear Authors: Anais Nin and Jennifer Niven Sentence: Susy was not empathic towards James and his situation. Features: direct, strong emotions.

Crisp

a direct, minimalist written style that is grammatically correct and light on emotion and flowery adjectives (often used in conjunction with "clean") Authors: Sally Potter and Jeffrey Toobin Sentence: His shirt was crisp white and long. Features: No added adjectives or descriptor words.

Chatty

a friendly, informal, casual style Authors: Bill Bryson and Jill N. Noble Sentence: We should hang out friday instead. Features: Slang and everyday language. Long or rambly sentences.

Inarticulate

a halting style in which the author does not express him- or herself clearly or carefully Authors: William Faulkner and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Sentence:I would describe her as, how do I put this, like, a thoughtful yet open person at the same time, and when you speak to them, or about them, they know how to react to the situation without being noticed by others, like, do you know what I mean? Features: confusing writing.

Idiomatic

a natural or casual style that incorporates local slang or idioms Authors: J.K Rowling and Carolyn Wilker Sentence: The relationship started out all lovey-dovey. Features: Slang and words that are familiar to the author.

Conversational

a style in which the author acts as though he or she is having an informal conversation with the reader, whom he or she knows well Authors: Jaylene Castro and Deborah Tannen Sentence: Babe can you get me taco bell on your way home? Features: Casual words and endearing terms

sententious

a style in which the writer is always commenting on morals, often self-righteously, intending to persuade the reader through an eloquent but moralistic argument Authors: Shaw Henry W. and Saul Bellow Sentence: Even though they may put their hatred towards you do not do the same treat them the opposite you're no better than they are if you do the same. Features: persuasive writing and writing about whats wrong and right.

satirical

a style in which the writer is commenting on society in some mocking but hidden way; the writer will set up situations that mimic but do not directly report what is being mocked Authors: Aldous Huxley and Joseph Heller Sentence:The county could save a lot of money by requiring homeowners to repaint any fire hydrants in front of their homes. Features: Talking about something important in a hidden way.

Elliptical

a style in which the writer suggests what he or she means, rather than stating it clearly Authors: David Levithan and Eric Larson Sentence: Reading eliptical writing is difficult for some because it requires a lot of assumptions and inferences. Features: May pose things in questions or hypothetical situations.

grandiloquent

a style in which the writer uses overly formal language to impress the readers, generally coming off sounding silly or pretentious Authors: Gustave Flaubert and Gwyneth Paltrow Sentence:"It was definitely another woman. I mean,face it Features: formal writing and trying to sound kind of posh in a way.

picturesque

a style in which the writer's command of imagery dominates his or her writing Authors: J. D. Harding and Cormac Mcarthy Sentence: And as we near the end of land And our ocean graves are just beyond the sand I ask myself the question "why I fall in line" And then out of the corner of my eye I see a spaceship in the sky And hear a voice inside my head Features: descriptive writing.

epistolary

a style of narrative in which much of the meaning is conveyed through letters Authors: Andrew Clements and Samuel Richardson Sentence: February 3rd 1944: "I've reached the point where I hardly care whether I live or die. The world will keep on turning without me, and I can't do anything to change events anyway. I'll just let matters take their course and concentrate on studying and hope that everything will be all right in the end." Features: dates, author's signature, and it could be short or long.

Declamatory

a style that expresses strong emotions with great force throughout the piece of writing or speech Authors: Shay Koyczan and Martin Luther King Jr Sentence: I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation Where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, I have a dream ... I have a dream that one day in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. Features: Confident writing with words that give a "punch."

rough

a style that indicates the writer is either uneducated or careless about perfecting syntax, diction, and structure Authors: Paula Cizmar and David Shannons Sentence: The cat fell from the tree with an apple that was big and red and had holes in it. Features: Lack of commas or periods. Bunched up writing or too many paragraphs.

gossipy

a style that is lively and newsy, talking about specific people and events in an informal, direct manner Authors: Walter Winchell and Madeline Roth Sentence:Did you hear what happened with Julie? I heard she cheated on her boyfriend and got pregnant! Features: personal and conversational.

pejorative

a style that is unusually negative or critical, always opinionated; often used with written criticism, literary or otherwise Authors: Jack thompson and Simon Cowell Sentence: This was the worst singing I have ever heard in my life. A hyena could produce better sound than whatever you call this mess. Features: a lot of critical comments.

eloquent

a style that uses clear and effective language; the author's meaning is not hidden, but fairly straightforward Authors: Bram Stoker and Hemingway Sentence: The teacher is very eloquent when she speaks to her students. Features: straightforward and clear.

tongue-in-check

a style with a subtext that the writer intends for the reader to pick up on; there are frequently word jokes and a subtle nudge-nudge-wink-wink from the author to careful readers Authors: Anthony Liccione and Tina Fey Sentence:Like they say, no point in rubbin' a turd. Features: The writing will refer to something in a lowkey way.

Circuitous

an indirect style, the author does not get straight to the point but rather wanders around it Authors: Eric Larsen and Claudia Rankine Sentence:It is a curious subject of observation and inquiry, whether hatred and love be not the same thing at bottom. Each, in its utmost development, supposes a high degree of intimacy and heart-knowledge; each renders one individual dependent for the food of his affections and spiritual life upon another; each leaves the passionate lover, or the no less passionate hater, forlorn and desolate by the withdrawal of his object. Features: Long explanations or other topics included in writing.

Journalistic

an informational or informative style of narrative; this may be identified by the use of interspersed quotes, or the use of the inverted triangle structure Authors: Jon Krakauer and Erick Larson Sentence:A lead engineer responsible for a pedestrian bridge that collapsed near Miami left a voice mail for a state transportation official warning of "some cracking" two days before the structure crashed, state officials said Friday night. Features: use of quotes and more personal writing.

Clean

an uncluttered, simpler style that may have complex vocabulary, yet still be easy to understand (often used in conjunction with "crisp") Authors: Ernest Hemingway and James Dobson Sentence:Boxer's face did not reappear at the window. Too late, someone thought of racing ahead and shutting the five-barred gate; but in another moment the van was through it and rapidly disappearing down the road. Boxer was never seen again. Features: No unnecessary dialogue or descriptions.

euphemistic

the author deals with unpleasant or potentially embarrassing subjects without referring to them directly (this can be sarcastic or satiric - think "A Modest Proposal") Authors: James Patterson and Ralph Keyes Sentence:"I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragout." Features: snarky and kind of making fun of something.

fluent

the author expresses him- or herself in a clear, confident, and seemingly effortless style Authors: Denise Leogrands and John le Carre Sentence: I love you with every fiber of my being and can't see myself ever living without you. Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me? Features: Confident voice and the words come out easily.

learned

the author sounds educated or academic in this style, though he or she may not necessarily be trying to teach his readers anything, just demonstrating his or her own knowledge Authors: Bill Bryson and Rick Riordan Sentence:Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited diseases in which the muscles that control movement (called voluntary muscles) progressively weaken. Features: knowledgable without showing off. Just stating things.

portentous

the author tries to seem serious and important, seeking to impress his or her readers with what is coming in the future Authors: Alfred Tennyson and George Orwell Sentence:It's still far too soon to be confident of the details, such as how much snow, rain or ice this storm may wring out in any area, nor can we completely rule out a storm won't occur at all. Features: Writing that shows off about the authors knowledge.

flowery

the author uses complicated or pretty-sounding words to make his or her writing more poetic, or more attractive or romantic Authors: Tyler Joseph and Charles Dickens Sentence: Is it wrong to feel it all unfold to want my tongue to peel off the words that have been foretold to let my chest burst open feel the nectar of flowers all find their place within My body's nothing more than a token caught in darkness for far too long my lively swarm has been Features: Pretty words that make the writing sound kind of soft and melodic. It may also rhyme.

turgid

the author uses language in a way that is convoluted, bloated with words, and potentially difficult for the reader to understand Authors:Emile Zola and William Faulkner Sentence: I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be. Features: Difficult vocabulary.

informal

the author uses language to sound as if he or she is writing with a friend as an audience, rather than a formal situation or an audience of strangers Authors: Jenny Shipley and Mark Twain Sentence:Sentence: Now as we all know school is pretty hard at times I have and you probably have had that bogus teacher that hates you. Features: casual words, almost conversational.

unprintable

the author uses offensive language or ideas throughout his writing Authors: D.H Lawrence and Nicholson Baker sentence: Don't you f*****g get it Michael your idea for interracial marriage is preposterous you don't see a pure bred dog with a low class one. Never have and never will. Features: cussing or talking about controversial topics.

polemical

the author uses or supports strong, possibly polarizing arguments in each piece of writing Authors: Richard Dawkins and Sharon Crowley Sentence: Features: a lot of evidence with controversial topics.

prolix

the author uses too many long words, rather than mixing up long and short, and the writing is stuffy and often boring Authors: William Temple and Charles Dickons Sentence:A person who deserves most pity is a lonesome one on a rainy day who doesn't know how to read. Features: Writing that seems to go on forever with long words.

epigrammatic

the author's meaning is expressed in a short, clever, or funny way Authors: Roland Barthes and Oscar Wilde Sentence: I cant resist anything except temptation. Features: short, clever writing.

succinct

the author's style is clear but generally short; no wasting of words Authors: Winston Churchill and Ernest Hemingway Sentence: Nobody wants to be here and nobody wants to leave. Features: short sentences and to the point.

literary

the author's style is clearly both thoughtful and meant for the reader to appreciate the care he or she took with diction and syntax Authors: Emily Dickinson and Wiliam Shakespeare Sentence: Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all Features: A lot of care went into the writing.

ponderous

the author's style is serious, thoughtful and (probably unintentionally) boring Authors: Jarod Kintz and Samuel Johnson Sentence:A story that grows and puts out flowers like a living thing! But look at the stories people press in books! They may last longer, yes, but they breathe only when someone opens the book. They are sound pressed between the pages, and only a voice can bring them back to life! Features: understandable language but boring.

lyrical

the author's writing in some way reminds the reader of music or poetry Authors: Edgar allen poe and Barbara kingsolver Sentence:angels beware of devils who tell lies in an honest tone Features:Flows easily and may rhyme.

rambling

the author's writing is long-winded and seems disorganized and unstructured Authors: Marcel Proust and Natalie Bina Sentence:You see this donut it is a green donut. I like green donuts you know what else is green the grass is green. Blood makes the grass grow and leprechauns love green donuts. Features: run on sentences and confusing.

verbose

the author's writing is long-winded and vocabulary-heavy; this style often is read as (unintentionally) boring Authors: George Eliot and Lewis Carroll Sentence:Even in that apex premises of education and learning led by the likes of Mr. Charlton and His majesty Mr. Williams, who were supposed to be living embodiments of knowledge and idolized by both contemporary youth and intellect alike, the new entrant who had expressed his inability to pay the requisite dues owing to the acute poverty of his pauper family, was denied a seat in the next course of the curriculum. Features: Lots of difficult vocab and long sentences.

punchy

the piece of writing has clear, simple language, few words, and an effective message (think of a slogan, or punch line) Authors: Thomas Paine and James Wolcott Sentence:Nationwide is on your side! Features: short and sweet. To the point.

vague

the piece of writing is purposefully unclear, forcing the reader to make many inferences and conclusions; the reader is left wondering if he or she is interpreting correctly Authors: Paulo Coelho and Gayle Forman Sentence: The gold is next to the tree with green leaves. Features: Unclear writing where the reader has to infer.

pithy

the piece of writing is short but effective, words chosen with care Authors: Oliver Herford and maria Popova sentence:A blank piece of paper is God's way of telling us how hard it is to be God Features: short and sweet.

Diffuse

the style is excessively wordy and difficult to understand Authors: James Joyce and Francis Parkman Sentence:We will live in this world, which for us has all the disquieting strangeness of the desert and of the simulacrum, with all the veracity of living phantoms, of wandering and simulating animals that capital, that the death of capital has made of us — because the desert of cities is equal to the desert of sand — the jungle of signs is equal to that of the forests—the vertigo of simulacra is equal to that of nature — only the vertiginous seduction of a dying system remains, in which work buries work, in which value buries value — leaving a virgin, sacred space without pathways, continuous as Bataille wished it, where only the wind lifts the sand, where only the wind watches over the sand. Features: Long sentences with unnecessary descriptor words.

Discursive

the writer strays from the main point, including irrelevant information Authors: David Nicholls and Alice Schultz Sentence: Sometimes the discursive information is more interesting then the actual topic being discussed. Features: Starts off on topic then talks about other things.

Economical

the writer uses only the words that he or she needs to communicate the idea, very few adjectives or adverbs, the minimum amount of words possible Authors: Winston Churchill and Bernard Branson Sentence: You forget what you want to remember and remember what you want to forget. Features: Short sentences and may come off as cold or rude. Little to no descriptor words.

formal

the writer uses standardized grammar, writes conservatively; noticeably used for official or serious occasions Authors: Toba Beta and Barack Obama Sentence: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. Features: serious and used to inform the reader.

ornate

the writer uses words unusual to a casual reader and complicated grammar Authors: William Caxton and Nathaniel Hawthorne Sentence:No country can be well governed unless its citizens as a body keep religiously before their minds that they are the guardians of the law, and that the law officers are only the machinery for its execution, nothing more. Features: more difficult language to read.

rhetorical

the writer's style is effective and clear and argumentative, yet intended to influence or persuade the readers Authors: Martin Luther King Jr. and Peter Hitchens sentence: We have a global warming problem that is affecting everything from humans to plants and animals. Features: persuasive writing with evidence.

sensationalist

the writer's style is exaggerated and dramatic; the author is looking for a gossipy response from the reader Authors: Eleanor Catton and Aimee Bender Sentence: Yes but didnt she get pregnant from a one night stand?! And I heard that her baby daddy's in jail now?! Features: Itll have exclamations and questions or comments that are trying to fish for a certain response.

sesquipedalian

the writing is deliberately designed for exhibiting the writer's vocabulary Authors: James Joyce and William Thackerey Sentence: I marvel thy master hath not eaten thee for a word; for thou art not so long by the head as honorificabilitudinitatibus. Features: difficult vocabulary