Related to style, this refers to the writers word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. Examples: formal vs. informal, orante vs. plain
What is diction
100
Describes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.
What is tone
100
A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.
What is personification
100
A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. It is usually seen as a style of writing, rather than a purpose, and usually contains wit, irony, parody, caricature, hyperbole, understatement, and sarcasm.
What is satire
200
One of the major divisions of genre, this refers to ficiton and nonfiction, including all its forms.
What is prose
200
The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.
What is denotation
200
The telling of a story or an accout of an event, or series of events.
What is narrative
200
A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of the words.
What is onomatopoeia
200
Refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. The effect is to attract the reader's attention, add emphasis and organization, or provide musical rhythm.
What is parallelism (parallel structure)
300
Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginitve and vivid.
What is figurative language
300
The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning - may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes.
What is connotation
300
A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relatinoship between them. Can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar.
What is analogy
300
A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. Makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful.
What is metaphor
300
A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. It may be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical.
What is allusion
400
From the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.
What is rhetoric
400
The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable in formal writing, as they give writing a conversational, familiar tone. May include local or regional dialects.
What is colloquialism
400
Using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to literal meaning.
What is allegory
400
A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement, often used for comic or very serious effect, which often produces irony.
What is hyperbole
400
Literally means "teaching." These words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.
What is didactic
500
The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.
What is ambiguity
500
The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.
What is semantics
500
The opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.
What is antithesis
500
This figure of speech directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer. The effect is for familiarity or emotional intensity.
What is apostrophe
500
From the Greek "reckoning together." A deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion. Ex: All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is a mortal.