English flashcards
Simile
A figure of speech that uses “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two unlike ideas.
Symbols
Objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
Hyperbole
A dramatic exaggeration or overstatement, either for comic effect or to express heightened emotion.
Repetition
The act of using words or phrases several times for effect
Metaphor
A figure of speech in which something is described as though it were something else without using “like” or “as.”
Extended Metaphor
Figure of speech used to draw a comparison between two subjects over several lines or or passages, not just in one line.
Personification
A figure of speech giving human qualities to something nonhuman.
Flashback
A device by which an event or scene taking place in the past of the narrative is inserted into the chronological structure of the story
Connotation
The ideas and emotions associated with a word
Denotation
Straightforward dictionary definition
Imagery
Language that creates a sensory impression within the reader’s mind
Idiom
Expressions that develop in a language, region, community, or class of people that cannot be understood literally. (He was saved at the eleventh hour)
Alliteration
The repetition of similar consonant sounds within a phrase or sentence.
Oxymoron
A phrase that consists of two or more contradictory words used together
Euphemism
Using a more socially acceptable word or phrase instead of word or phrase often considered inappropriate.
Juxtaposition
The side by side placement of two seemingly opposing concepts
Allusion
A reference to a well-known person, event, place, literary work, or work of art
Foreshadowing
Clues put into the text to alert the reader of what might happen next in plot
Mood
The general atmosphere created by the author’s words. it is the feeling the reader gets from author’s words.
Motif
Reoccurring subjects or ideas that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes. Think of them as the “building blocks” or “pieces” of themes.) Most often, motifs are universal. (Common motifs in literature: journey, love, regret, seasons, colors, trickery, miracles, madness, etc.)
Theme
The central message/idea about life revealed in literature. Themes must be universal statement/sentences. (theme of “The Cask of of Amontillado”: Be careful who you offend)
Tone
The writer’s attitude toward his/her subject. (The tone can often be playful, bitter or ironic)
Characterization
The act of creating and developing a character directly and indirectly.
Rhetoric
The art of using words to effectively persuade in writing or speaking.
Ethos
(sometimes called the appeal to ethics): a way of persuading an audience via the authority or credibility of the persuader, be it a notable or experienced figure in the field or a popular celebrity
Pathos
(appeal to emotion): a way of persuading an audience by creating an emotional response to an impassioned plea or convincing story
Logos
(appeal to logic): a way of persuading an audience with reason, using facts
Inference
logical conclusions made based on evidence from the text.
Context clues
words in sentences before and after an unknown word that help the reader discover what the unknown word means.
Dialect
A particular form of language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group. (Ex: “Y’all” is part of the Southern dialect)
Diction
an author’s specific word choice
Central Idea
the main point of a text (sometimes a text has more than 1); usually associated with informational texts
First person of view
A first-person narrative is a mode of storytelling in which a storyteller recounts events from their own point of view using the first person such as “I”, “us”, “our” and “ourselves”. It may be narrated by a first-person protagonist, first-person re-teller, first-person witness, or first-person peripheral.
second person point of view
The reader is part of the story
Third person limited point of view
where the narrator tells the story from the perspective of a single protagonist, referring to them by name or using a third person pronoun such as they/she/he.
Third person omniscient point of view
This is a common form of third-person narration in which the teller of the tale, who often appears to speak with the voice of the author himself, assumes an omniscient (all-knowing) perspective on the story being told: diving into private thoughts, narrating secret or hidden events
Bias
the action of supporting or opposing a particular person or thing in an unfair way
Thesis statement
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay
ambidextrous
Equally skillful with each hand
mundane
Found in the ordinary course of events
subordinate
An assistant subject subject to the authority or control of another
obligatory
required by compulsion or convention
Cull
remove something that has been rejected
subdued
Restrained in style or quality
terse
brief and to the point
impromptu
With little or no preparation of forethought
prodigious
great in size, force, extent, or degree
pragmatic
concerned with practical matters
slew
a large number or amount or extent
lavish
Very generous
