MC
the central idea or message of a work, the insight if offers into life
theme
Sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position. You need this in all essays.
thesis statement
the way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.
syntax
similar to mood, this describes the author's attitude toward his/her material, audience, or both.
tone
amusing language that surprises and delights
wit
the ironic minimalizing of fact
understatement
a word or phrase that links different ideas, for example, furthermore, consequently, nevertheless, in addition, and the list goes on
transitions
anything that represents itself and stands for something else
symbol/symbolism
the perspective from which a story is told
point of view
when one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another, ex. the sight of red ants makes you itchy
synesthesia
a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole, boat=sail, car=wheels
synecdoche
sin-ec-da-key
use of slang in speech or writing, reflects local or regional dialects
colloquial
studies the meaning of words, connotations and relation to one another
semantics
types of evidence needed for the argument essay
historical, books, personal
Bitter, caustic language meant to hurt or ridicule
sarcasm
a humorous work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform
satire
draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented
inference
an evaluation of the choices an author makes in diction, syntax, figurative language and other literary devices
style
the major category into which a literary work fits
genre
a form of deductive reasoning
major premise: All men are mortal.
minor premise: Socrates is a man.
Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is a mortal.
syllogism
contains both a subject and a verb, this clause cannot stand alone, opposite of independent clause
subordinate clause
exposition, argumentation, description, narration
rhetorical modes
the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively
rhetoric
taking a favorable view of events or conditions and expect the best outcome, how you will do on the exam
optimistic
Do this the night before the exam.
nothing, see you at 7:30 AM on Wednesday