English Techniques Flashcards

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1
Q

Alliteration

A

Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in closely placed words, often used to create rhythm or emphasize phrases.

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2
Q

Allusion

A

Allusion is a brief reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of art, used to add meaning or context to a text.

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3
Q

Allegory

A

An allegory is a narrative in which characters, events, and settings symbolize deeper meanings or abstract ideas, often to convey moral, political, or philosophical messages.

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4
Q

Antonym

A

An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word.

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5
Q

Assonance

A

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within closely placed words to create internal rhyme or enhance mood.

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6
Q

Colloquialism

A

Colloquialism is the use of informal language or expressions that are specific to a region, culture, or group, often used to create a sense of realism in dialogue.

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7
Q

Simile

A

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using “like” or “as” to highlight similarities between them.

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7
Q

Colloquial voice

A

Colloquial voice is a style of writing or speaking that uses informal, conversational language, often to make the text feel more relatable or authentic.

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8
Q

Metaphor

A

A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things by stating that one is the other, thereby suggesting a deeper meaning or connection.

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9
Q

Personification

A

Personification is a literary technique in which human qualities or characteristics are attributed to non-human entities or abstract concepts, creating vivid imagery and emotional resonance.

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10
Q

Slang

A

Slang is informal language or expressions that are often specific to a particular group, culture, or subculture, typically used to convey a casual tone or to establish identity among peers.

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11
Q

Jargon

A

Jargon is specialized terminology or language used by a particular profession, group, or industry, often making it difficult for outsiders to understand.

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12
Q

Neologism

A

A neologism is a newly coined word, expression, or term that may be in the process of entering common usage, often reflecting changes in culture, technology, or social trends.

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13
Q

Anachronism

A

An anachronism is an element in a text or artwork that is out of its proper historical time period, often used deliberately for effect or to highlight contrasts between eras.

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14
Q

Cliché

A

A cliché is an overused expression or idea that has lost its original impact or meaning due to excessive repetition.

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15
Q

Oxymoron

A

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two contradictory or opposing terms to create a new, often paradoxical meaning.

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16
Q

Irony

A

Irony is a literary technique where the intended meaning of words or situations is opposite to their literal meaning, often highlighting contrasts between appearance and reality.

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17
Q

Paradox

A

A paradox is a statement or concept that appears self-contradictory or absurd but may reveal a deeper truth upon closer examination.

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18
Q

Rhetorical questions

A

A rhetorical question is a question posed for effect rather than to elicit an answer, often used to provoke thought or emphasize a point.

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19
Q

Satire

A

Satire is a literary technique that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or expose flaws in society, individuals, or institutions, often to provoke change or reflection.

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20
Q

Tone

A

Tone is the attitude or emotional quality conveyed by a writer toward a subject or audience, often reflected through word choice, style, and perspective.

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21
Q

Sensory language

A

Sensory language is descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell) to create vivid imagery and immerse the reader in the experience.

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22
Q

Epiphany

A

An epiphany is a sudden, profound realization or insight that changes a character’s understanding or perspective in a significant way.

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23
Q

Fable resolution

A

A fable resolution is the concluding part of a fable where the story’s moral lesson is revealed, often showing the consequences of characters’ actions and reinforcing the fable’s theme.

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24
Q

Symbolism

A

Symbolism is the use of objects, characters, colors, or events to represent deeper meanings or abstract ideas, adding layers of significance to a narrative.

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25
Q

Reflective

A

Reflective writing or tone involves a thoughtful consideration of events, emotions, or ideas, often revealing personal insights or deeper understanding.

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26
Q

Voice

A

Voice is the unique style and perspective through which a writer expresses themselves, shaped by tone, diction, and syntax, and giving the text a distinctive personality.

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27
Q

Anecdote

A

An anecdote is a brief, engaging story or account of a particular incident, often used to illustrate a point, convey a lesson, or provide insight into a character or situation.

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28
Q

Bias

A

Bias is a tendency or inclination to favor one perspective, opinion, or group over others, often leading to unfair or subjective judgments.

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29
Q

Argument

A

An argument is a set of statements or reasons presented to support a particular claim or viewpoint, often involving opposing perspectives to persuade or inform an audience.

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30
Q

Thesis

A

A thesis is a concise statement or central argument that outlines the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or scholarly work, guiding the direction of the writing.

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31
Q

Analogy

A

An analogy is a comparison between two different things that highlights their similarities, often used to clarify or explain a concept by relating it to something more familiar.

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32
Q

Factual evidence

A

Factual evidence consists of verifiable information or data that supports a claim or argument, often used to establish credibility and strengthen reasoning in writing or discourse.

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33
Q

Expert

A

An expert is a person who has extensive knowledge, skills, or experience in a particular field or subject, often recognized as a credible source of information or authority.

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34
Q

Statistics

A

Statistics are numerical data or mathematical calculations that summarize, analyze, and interpret information, often used to support arguments or provide insights into trends and patterns.

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35
Q

Point of view

A

Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told or a piece of writing is presented, influencing how events, characters, and themes are perceived by the audience.

36
Q

Argument

A

An argument is a set of statements or reasons presented to support a particular claim or viewpoint, often involving opposing perspectives to persuade or inform an audience.

37
Q

Discussion

A

A discussion is a conversation or exchange of ideas, opinions, or arguments about a specific topic, often involving multiple viewpoints and critical analysis.

38
Q

Connotations

A

Connotations are the implied or suggested meanings and associations that a word carries beyond its literal definition, influencing the emotional or cultural response it evokes.

39
Q

Emotive language

A

Emotive language is wording that is intended to evoke strong emotional responses in the audience, often used to persuade or influence feelings about a subject.

40
Q

Objective language

A

Objective language is factual and unbiased wording that presents information without personal feelings, opinions, or interpretations, aiming for clarity and neutrality.

41
Q

Subjective language

A

Subjective language is wording that reflects personal feelings, opinions, or interpretations, often influencing how information is perceived and interpreted by others.

42
Q

Humour

A

Humor is a literary or rhetorical device that aims to entertain or provoke laughter, often through the use of wit, irony, exaggeration, or absurdity.

43
Q

Parody

A

A parody is a humorous or satirical imitation of a particular genre, work, or style, often exaggerating its characteristics to create comedic effect or critique the original.

44
Q

Tone

A

Tone is the attitude or emotional quality conveyed by a writer toward a subject or audience, often reflected through word choice, style, and perspective.

45
Q

Satire

A

Satire is a literary technique that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or ridicule societal flaws, individuals, or institutions, often with the intent to provoke change or reflection.

46
Q

Hyperbole

A

Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect to create a strong impression.

47
Q

Meiosis

A

Meiosis is a figure of speech that intentionally understates or downplays a situation or concept, often for ironic or humorous effect.

48
Q

Allitration

A

Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in closely placed words, often used to create rhythm or emphasize phrases.

49
Q

Antonym

A

An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word.

50
Q

Assonance

A

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within closely placed words to create internal rhyme or enhance the musical quality of language.

51
Q

Colloquialism

A

Colloquialism is the use of informal language or expressions specific to a region or group, often used to create a sense of realism in dialogue or writing.

52
Q

Symbolism

A

Symbolism is the use of symbols—objects, characters, or colors—to represent larger ideas or concepts, adding deeper meaning to a narrative or work of art.

53
Q

Anachronism

A

An anachronism is an element in a story or artwork that is placed in a time period where it does not belong, often used to create contrast or highlight thematic elements.

54
Q

Oxymoron

A

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms to create a new, often paradoxical meaning.

55
Q

Irony

A

Irony is a literary technique where the intended meaning of words or situations is opposite to their literal meaning, often highlighting contrasts between expectation and reality.

56
Q

Paradox

A

A paradox is a statement or concept that appears self-contradictory or absurd but may reveal a deeper truth or insight upon closer examination.

57
Q

Rhetorical language

A

Rhetorical language refers to the use of language and techniques designed to persuade, inform, or evoke an emotional response from an audience, often employing figures of speech, style, and argumentative strategies.

58
Q

Sensory language

A

Sensory language is descriptive language that appeals to the senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—to create vivid imagery and enhance the reader’s experience.

59
Q

Accumulation

A

Accumulation is a rhetorical technique that involves the gathering and listing of details, examples, or ideas to build intensity or emphasize a point, often creating a cumulative effect in writing or speech.

60
Q

Anthropomorphism

A

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics, emotions, or behaviors to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or abstract concepts, often used to create relatability or engage the audience.

61
Q

Caesura

A

Caesura is a deliberate pause or break within a line of poetry or prose, often used to create rhythm, emphasize a point, or add dramatic effect.

62
Q

Epiphany

A

An epiphany is a moment of sudden revelation or insight, often experienced by a character in literature, that leads to a significant change in understanding or perspective.

63
Q

Asyndeton

A

Asyndeton is a rhetorical device that involves the omission of conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses, often used to create a rapid, impactful rhythm or to emphasize a series of ideas.

64
Q

Polysyndoten

A

Polysyndeton is a rhetorical device that involves the use of multiple conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses in close succession, often used to create a sense of abundance, emphasis, or a slower pace in writing.

65
Q

Pathos

A

Pathos is a rhetorical appeal that seeks to evoke emotions in the audience, aiming to persuade them by tapping into their feelings of sympathy, compassion, or anger.

66
Q

Amplification

A

Amplification is a rhetorical technique that involves expanding on a statement or idea by adding more detail, examples, or emphasis to enhance its meaning and impact.

67
Q

Anaphora

A

Anaphora is a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences, often used to create emphasis and rhythm in writing or speech.

68
Q

Antistrophe

A

Antistrophe is a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences, often used to create emphasis and a rhythmic effect.

69
Q

Cacophony

A

Cacophony is the use of harsh, discordant sounds in language, often employed in poetry or prose to create an unpleasant effect, emphasize a particular mood, or reflect chaos.

70
Q

Epithet

A

An epithet is a descriptive phrase or term used to characterize a person, place, or thing, often highlighting a notable quality or trait and frequently used in literature to convey deeper meaning or create imagery.

71
Q

Synecdoche

A

Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole, or vice versa, often used to create vivid imagery or emphasize a particular aspect of the subject.

72
Q

Accumulation

A

Accumulation is a rhetorical technique that involves the gathering and listing of details, examples, or ideas to build intensity or emphasize a point, often creating a cumulative effect in writing or speech.

73
Q

Anecdote

A

An anecdote is a short, engaging story about a specific incident or event, often used to illustrate a point, convey a lesson, or provide insight into a character or situation.

74
Q

Intertextuality

A

Intertextuality is the relationship between texts and how they reference or influence each other, often involving the incorporation of ideas, themes, or styles from one work into another, enriching meaning and context.

75
Q

Allusion

A

Allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of art, used to add depth or meaning to a text without providing detailed explanation.

76
Q

Quoting

A

Quoting is the act of directly reproducing someone else’s words or phrases in your own writing, often used to support an argument, provide evidence, or add authority to a point.

77
Q

Referencing

A

Referencing is the practice of acknowledging the sources of information, ideas, or quotations used in a text, providing credit to the original authors and allowing readers to locate the original material.

78
Q

Antithesis

A

Antithesis is a rhetorical device that juxtaposes contrasting ideas or opposing words in a balanced structure, often used to highlight differences and create emphasis in writing or speech.

79
Q

Apostrophe

A

Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which a speaker addresses an absent person, an abstract idea, or a thing, often used to express emotions or create a dramatic effect in literature.

80
Q

Analogy

A

An analogy is a comparison between two different things that highlights their similarities, often used to clarify or explain a concept by relating it to something more familiar.

81
Q

Enumeration

A

Enumeration is a rhetorical device that involves listing details, points, or steps in a systematic way, often used to create emphasis or clarity in writing or speech.

82
Q

Hyperbole

A

Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect to create a strong impression or to evoke humor.

83
Q

Understatment

A

Understatement is a rhetorical device that deliberately downplays a situation or concept, often used for ironic or humorous effect by presenting something as less significant than it actually is.

84
Q

Anaddiplosis

A

Anadiplosis is a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase at the end of one clause or sentence is repeated at the beginning of the next, creating a connection and enhancing the flow of ideas.

85
Q

Foreground

A

Foreground refers to the part of a visual composition or narrative that is closest to the viewer or reader, often highlighting important elements or themes that are meant to capture attention or convey significance.

86
Q

Backround

A

Background refers to the part of a visual composition or narrative that is situated behind the main subjects or elements, providing context, setting, or additional information that enhances understanding without drawing primary focus.

87
Q

Midground

A

Midground refers to the area in a visual composition or narrative that lies between the foreground and background, often used to create depth and perspective, and to highlight elements that are important but not the primary focus of attention.

88
Q

Centrality

A

Centrality refers to the quality of being central or of primary importance within a context, often indicating the significance of a concept, character, or theme in relation to the overall narrative or structure of a work.