Adage - Personification Flashcards
Active Voice - Definition
The subject of the sentence performs the action.
Active Voice - Example/Non-Example
Example - My friend cuts my hair.
Non-Example - My hair was cut by my friend.
Active Voice - Impact on text
Reinforces clarity by making it clear to the reader who is taking action in the sentence.
Allusion - Definition
An indirect reference to something.
Allusion - Example
She felt like she found the golden ticket (charlie and the chocolate factory)
Allusion - Impact on text
To better help a reader connect to the story by linking it to something else they know.
Anecdote - Definition
A brief recount of something that happened in the text.
Anecdote - Example
“My dog fell down the stairs this morning when he heard me filling his food bowl.”
Anecdote - impact on text
good for persuading a reader and can be used to pull on the readers emotion.
Antecedent - definition
A brief recounting of a relevant episode.
Antecedent - example
If I could command the wealth of all the world by lifting my finger, I would not pay such a price for it.
classicism - definition
Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional themes and structures.
classicism - example
Iliad and Odyssey by Homer.
comic relief - definition
when a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood
comic relief - example
two characters made a joke between themselves during a funeral, laughing together to provide relief from their grief.
comic relief - impact on text
provides contrast for the audience between the lighter moment and the darker scene.
diction - definition
Word choice, particularly as an element of style. Different types of words have significant effects on meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precise than street slang.
colloquial - definition
Ordinary or familiar type of conversation.
colloquial - example
“y’all” or “gonna” or “wanna”
colloquial - impact on text
create a sense of authenticity and informality and can enhance dialogue.
connotation - definition
Implied meaning rather than literal meaning.
denotation - definition
The literal, explicit meaning of a word.
jargon - definition
The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity.
jargon - example
camel case, swim lane, break-glass procedure, or out-of-the-box.
jargon - impact on text
Jargon, a specialised language used by a particular group, profession, or field, can be a double-edged sword when used in your writing. While it fosters precision and facilitates communication within specific communities, its overuse or misuse can alienate readers and hinder comprehension.
vernacular - definition
- Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or dialect of a regional clan or group. 3. Plain everyday speech
didactic - definition
A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
didactic - example
Aesop’s Fables. The tales end with important lessons that the characters learn in the story.
adage - definition
A folk saying with a lesson.
adage - example
“A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
adage - impact on text
can make the text relatable and can add a sense of wisdom
allegory - definition
A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth.
allegory - example
animal farm by george orvill
allegory - impact on text
allows the writer to tell two different, related stories at once.
aphorism - definition
A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle. An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author’s point.
aphorism - example
“God helps them that help themselves,”
aphorism - impact on text
to cleverly and concisely express observations or philosophical ideas.
ellipsis - definition
The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.
ellipsis - example
The whole day, rain, torrents of rain.”
ellipsis - impact on text
An ellipsis can also be used to depict a small pause or silence in text, which is ideal for a dramatic effect. Often, the ellipsis comes before an anticipated part, like the punchline of a joke. The idea is to build suspense before a big reveal.
euphemism - definition
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. Sometimes they are used for political correctness.
euphemism - example
“Physically challenged,” in place of “crippled.”
euphemism - impact on text
euphemisms can alter how people think and feel and open up dialogue on taboo topics, their overuse may lead to confusion and obscure meaning.
figurative language - definition
“Figurative Language” is the opposite of “Literal Language.” Literal language is writing that makes complete sense when you take it at face value. “Figurative Language” is the opposite: writing that is not meant to be taken literally.
analogy - definition
An analogy is a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables. When a writer uses an analogy, he or she argues that the relationship between the first pair of variables is the same as the relationship between the second pair of variables.
analogy - example
“America is to the world as the hippo is to the jungle.”
analogy - impact on text
give the reader a deeper understanding of a complicated or unfamiliar topic.
hyperbole - definition
Exaggeration.
hyperbole - example
“My mother will kill me if I am late.”
hyperbole - impact on text
This figure of speech creates emphasis and depending on the context, you can use it for comic or dramatic effect,
idiom - definition
A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.
idiom - example
“I got chewed out by my coach.”
idiom - impact on text
They are crucial in writing because they add color, depth, and emotion to the text, making it more engaging and memorable for readers.
metaphor - definition
Making an implied comparison, not using “like,” as,” or other such words.
metaphor - example
“My feet are popsicles.”
metaphor - non example
That car is like a rocket!
metaphor - impact on text
One effect of metaphor is to make writing memorable.
metonymy - definition
Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.
metonymy - example
“I could not understand his tongue,” means his language or his speech.
metonymy - impact on text
Metonymy has the effect of creating concrete and vivid images in place of generalities.
synecdoche - definition
A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its parts, or vice versa.
synecdoche - example
The cattle rancher owned 500 head.” “Check out my new wheels.”
synecdoche - impact on text
Often synecdoches can elevate language, making a sentence or phrase sound more interesting or more poetic.
simile - definition
Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very different things.
simile - example
“My feet are so cold they feel like popsicles.”
simile - non example
“My feet are popsicles.”
synesthesia - definition
a description involving a “crossing of the senses.”
synesthesia - example
“A purplish scent filled the room.” “I was deafened by his brightly-colored clothing.”
synesthesia - impact on text
In literature, synesthesia refers to an author’s blending of human senses to describe an object.
personification - definition
Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human.
personification - example
“The tired old truck groaned as it inched up the hill.”
personification - impact on text
It can help readers connect with the parts of a story or poem that aren’t the characters.
