Definitions
A direct or indirect reference to something which is commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.
What is allusion?
Diction
What is word choice?
She sells sea shells by the seashore.
What is alliteration?
Feelings evoked in the audience through words and descriptions; the atmosphere of a literary piece, as it creates an emotional setting that surrounds the reader.
What is mood?
The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events or anecdotes.
What is narrative?
A figure of speech in which the speaker poses a question but no answer is sought.
What is rhetorical question?
Multiple meanings, either intentional or not, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.
What is ambiguity?
Jumbo shrimp
What is oxymoron?
Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.
What is figurative language?
A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.
What is onomatopoeia?
The contrast between what is stated and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.
What is irony?
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.
What is euphemism?
The sound of wind was howling in my ears and the sea, a deep blue, waving back and forth.
What is imagery?
A figure of speech in which the name of one object is substitutes for that of another closely associated with it.
What is metonymy?
The major category into which a literary work fits.
What is genre?
The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.
What is syntax?
The use of slang or informal language in speech or writing.
What is colloquial?
"That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind," said Neil Armstrong.
What is antithesis?
A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.
What is parody?
To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.
What is inference?
A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout the work.
What is extended metaphor?
The central idea or message of a work.
What is theme?
Just as the sword is a warrior's weapon, the pen is a writer's weapon.
What is analogy?
A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.
What is paradox?
An adjective that describes words, phrases or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.
What is pedantic?