A short or terse statement of truth or principle. Words of wit or wisdom. "Men seldom make passes at women who were glasses."
What is Aphorism?
100
The interpretive level (implied meaning) of a word based on its associated images rather than its literal meaning.
What is Connotation?
100
Writing or speech (language) that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative or vivid.
What is Figurative Language?
100
The art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.
What is Rhetoric?
100
The contrast between what is explicitly stated and what is actually meant. Used to create poignancy or humor.
What is Irony?
200
A work that uses characters or story elements to symbolically represent ideas like hope or freedom; they usually deal with moral truths about the human condition.
What is Allegory?
200
A metaphor developed at length or one that occurs frequently in a work.
What is Extended Metaphor?
200
An extreme exaggeration.
What is Hyperbole?
200
Explaining something, giving a clear explanation.
What is Exposition?
200
The words literally state the opposite of the speaker's meaning. (Sarcasm is a notable example.)
What is Verbal Irony?
300
A reference to another literary work.
What is Allusion?
300
This rhetorical strategy refers to a writer's word choices and helps to create tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning.
What is Diction?
300
Sensory details in figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.
What is Imagery?
300
This appeal deals with the process of reasoning.
What is Logic or Logos?
300
Events turn out the opposite of what was expected.
What is Situational Irony?
400
The presentation of two contrasting images.
Hint: The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs.
What is Antithesis?
400
A piece of writing whose purpose is to instruct or to teach.
Hint: A ______________ work is usually formal and focuses on moral or ethical concerns.
What is Didactic?
400
A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person, or a personified abstraction like death or love.
What is Apostrophe?
400
This appeal makes a claim about the author's authority, values, or expertise.
What is ethos?
400
Facts or events are known to the audience or reader that are not known to the characters of a work.
What is Dramatic Irony?
500
Something that is unclear due to multiple meanings or interpretations.
What is Ambiguity?
500
A more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something.
Hint: It's not a jail. It's a "correctional facility."
What is Euphemism?
500
Part of something is used to represent the whole. Example: referring to the violins and cellos in an orchestra as the "string section."
What is Synedoche?
500
This appeal draws on the audience's emotion or shared values.
What is pathos?
500
A form of understatement that gives a truth by denying the opposite. (The opposite of hyperbole.)
Hint: When Mercutio is mortally wounded, but tells Romeo "It's just a scratch."