Definitions
a short and interesting story relevant to the topic at hand, often an amusing event, often used to support or demonstrate some point, and may be used to make an audience laugh
Anecdote
A writer's attitude toward his subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language and organization. To identify, consider how the piece would sound if read aloud (or how the author wanted it to sound aloud). Can be: playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, somber, etc.
Tone
Word choice, particularly as an element of style. Different types of words have significant effects on meaning.
Diction
“I was so tired I could sleep for a thousand years!” is an example of ______, where exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect.
Hyperbole
After studying all night for her math test, Tina overslept and missed it entirely. That unexpected outcome is a perfect example of ______, when the opposite of what you expect actually happens.
Situational Irony
an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference
Allusion
When the opposite of what you expect to happen does.
Irony
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally
Hyperbole
“The lawyer objected using complex legal terms that only the judge seemed to understand.” The specialized language used here is best described as ______.
Jargon
The line “I have a dream that one day...” repeated throughout Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech is an example of ______, where a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses.
Anaphora
Two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect
Juxtaposition
is a figure of speech in which two or more elements of a sentence (or series of sentences) have the same grammatical structure.
Parallelism
The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity. Lawyers speak using particular words, as do soccer players.
Jargon
After spending all day preparing a surprise party, Jamie walked in and shouted “Wow, I definitely didn’t see this coming!” — her tone and expression made it clear she knew all along. This is an example of ______, where the speaker says the opposite of what they actually mean.
Verbal Irony
Referring to someone’s death as them having “passed away” is an example of a ______, which softens the impact of an unpleasant reality.
Euphemism
repetition at the beginning of a sentence or clauses that follow one another
Anaphora
a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing
Euphemism
device that involves intentionally using a word or phrase for effect, two or more times in a speech or written work
Repetition
The phrase “deafening silence” is an example of an ______, where two contradictory words are combined to create a striking expression.
Oxymoron
In his essay, the author compares government surveillance to Big Brother, a clear ______ to George Orwell’s 1984.
Allusion
figure of speech in which two contradictory words are put side by side to form a phrase
Oxymoron
repetition at the end of a sentence or clause
Epistrophe
1. Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or dialect of a regional clan or group. 3. Plain everyday speech
Vernacular
“‘Ello guv’nor! Fancy a cuppa before the ol’ chimney sweep?” This cheerful, informal speech is an example of ______, or the everyday language of a particular region or group.
Vernacular
“The calm lake mirrored the chaos in my mind” is a clear example of a ______, where two contrasting ideas are placed next to each other for effect.
Juxtaposition