General Terms D-I

Question 1

Diction

Answer 1

Related to style, diction refers to the writer’s word choice, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

Question 2

Didactic

Answer 2

Designed or intended to teach people something

Question 3

Euphemism

Answer 3

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word of concept.

Question 4

What is an example of an euphemism?

Answer 4

Saying “earthly remains” rather than “corpse”

Question 5

Exposition

Answer 5

In essays, one of the four chief types of composition; the purpose of exposition is to explain something.

Question 6

What are the four chief types of composition?

Answer 6

1. Argumentation
2. Exposition
3. Description
4. Narration

Question 7

Extended Metaphor

Answer 7

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.

Question 8

Figurative Language

Answer 8

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

Question 9

Figure of Speech

Answer 9

A device that produces figurative language. (figures of sleep include: apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, and metaphor.)

Question 10

Generic Conventions

Answer 10

The term describes traditions for each genre; these conventions help to define each genre

Question 11

Denotation

Answer 11

The strict, liberal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotions, attitude, or color.

Question 12

Homily

Answer 12

This term means “sermon,” but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

Question 13

Genre

Answer 13

The major category into which a literary work fits.

Question 14

What are the basic divisions of literature?

Answer 14

Prose, poetry, and drama

Question 15

Hyperbole

Answer 15

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (produces irony + often has a comic effect - but not always).

Question 16

Imagery

Answer 16

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.

Question 17

Inference/Infer

Answer 17

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.

Question 18

Invective

Answer 18

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language

Question 19

Irony/Ironic

Answer 19

The contrast between what is stared explicitly and what is really meant.

Question 20

What is verbal irony?

Answer 20

The words literally state the opposite of the writer’s (or speaker’s) true meaning.

Question 21

What is situational irony?

Answer 21

Events turn out the opposite of what was expected. (What the characters and readers think ought to happen is not what does happen).

Question 22

What is dramatic irony?

Answer 22

Facts or events unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but know to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work.