Lang Terms Flashcards
Alliteration
Same sound beginning several words
Allusion
Reference to something else
Analogy
Comparison between dissimilar things, usually to simplify ideas
Anaphora
Repetition of word or phrases at the beginning of a line
anecdote
Brief story to illustrate a point
antimetabole
repetition of words in reverse order
antithesis
Opposition or contrast of ideas or words in parallel construction. Ex: One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind
Arhcaic diction
Old fashioned use of words
asyndeton
Omission of conjunction between phrases (like and)
Audience
Listener, reader or viewer of text
Complex sentence
includes one independent clause and one dependent clause
Compound sentence
two independent clauses
concession
Opposing argument may be true/reasonable
connotation
Meaning of words beyond dictionary definition. Ex: slim vs. skinny
context
Circumstances of the speech/paper
counterargument
Opposing argument
cumulative sentence
Completes main idea of sentence then builds/adds on
diction
Speakers choice of words to add to the message
ethos
Character, demonstrate credibility
figurative language
nonliteral language
hortative sentence
Urges, implores, or calls to action
hyperbole
Exaggeration or overstatement to make a point
imagery
describing how something looks, feels, tastes
imperative sentence
sentence to command or enjoin, necessary action
inversion
inverted order of words in a sentence. Change in subject verb order. Scarcely I have got out of bed vs I had scarcely got out of bed
irony
figure of speech where speaker says one thing but means something else
juxtaposition
two things close together to emphasize similarities and differences
logos
Logical reason
metaphor
compares two things using like or as
metonymy
something is represented by another thing related to it (hand is help)
modifier
adverb/clause that modifies a noun
mood
feeling or atmosphere in a text
nominalization
Changing verb into noun (discuss into disscussion)
occasion
time and place speech is ocurring
Oxymoron
Paradox of two seemingly contradicting words ex: sweet sorrow
Parallelism
Similarity of structure in a series of related words/phrases
pathos
appealing to emotion
periodic sentence
Dependent clause in front of independent clause
persona
face or character of speaker
personification
human qualities to inanimate things
polysyndeton
Use of conjunctions continuously between phrases and clauses
purpose/intention
goal of speaker to achieve
refutation
denial of opposing argument
rhetorical appeals
techniques used to persuade an audience (ethos, logos, pathos)
rhetorical question
Question for affect rather then getting an answer
rhetorical triangle
illustrates relationship between speaker, audience, and subject
simile
Figure of speech to explain an idea using like or as
SOAPS
Subject, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Speaker
synedoche
figure of speech that uses parts to represent a whole (Ex: you citizens will rest the final success of failure)
syntax
arrangement of words into phrases
tone
attitude toward subject
Understatement
presented as less often for satiric and comic affect
zeugma
two different meanings of the same word (I held my breath and the car door)
Active voice
Whoever does the action is the subject
anadiplosis
repetition of last word of one clause at the beginning of next phrase
anglo saxon dixon
words in less formal writing
appositive
two elements are set side by side, the second explains/modifies the first (the living room, the biggest room in the house…)
Assonance
repetition of vowel sounds in two adjacent words ex: great flakes
Climax
Repetition of words in order of increasing importance
Denotation
Literal definition of a word
Jargon
Diction used by a specific group
Latinate diction
more formal words
litotes
instead of saying something directly, yo say it indirectly ex: It’s not rocket science
narrative
larger story line
