A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite
What is litotes?
100
A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified object that cannot answer; it may add familiarity or emotional intensity
What is apostrophe?
100
A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb
What is a clause?
100
The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true; used to create poignancy or humor; three major types
What is irony?
100
A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them; can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar
What is analogy?
200
A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things; include: apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, oxymoron, paradox, personification, etc.
What is a figure of speech?
200
The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions
What is imagery?
200
A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects; displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual comparison being made
What is conceit?
200
This term describes traditions for each genre; they help to define each genre
What are generic conventions?
200
A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art; it can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical
What is an allusion?
300
The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words
What is an alliteration?
300
The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, or a word, phrase, sentence, or passage
What is ambiguity?
300
The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition the the literal meaning; in some, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom
What is an allegory?
300
The opposite or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite
What is antithesis?
300
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept; may be used to adhere to standards or social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatement
What is an euphemism?
400
A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement; often have a comic effect; often produces irony
What is hyperbole?
400
The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing
What is colloquial?
400
Related to style, it refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness
What is diction?
400
The emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the author’s choice of objects that are described; frequently used to foreshadow events
What is the atmosphere?
400
The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning, may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes
What is the connotation
500
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 major category into which a literary work fits; can be subdivided within these broad categories
What is genre?
500
The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color
What is the denotation?
500
Any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice
What is a homily?
500
An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language