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
