List 1-20

Question 1

Absolute

Answer 1

A word free from limitations or qualifications; argument - a statement of the meaning or main point of a literary work
Ex. Truth, the value of love vs class and reputation, “only”, “always”, “never”

Question 2

Adage

Answer 2

A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language
Ex. A penny saved is a penny earned, Proverbs

Question 3

Ad hominem

Answer 3

An argument addressing the person instead of the issue
Ex. How can you argue your case for vegetarianism when you are enjoying your steak?

Question 4

Allegory

Answer 4

An expressive style that uses fictional characters and events to describe some subject by suggestive resemblances
Ex. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Question 5

Alliteration

Answer 5

The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in poetry or prose
Ex. Her lackluster laugh had somehow lost its lilt

Question 6

Allusion

Answer 6

A reference to a person, place, or event (well-known to the audience) meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea
Ex. Chocolate was her Achilles’ heel

Question 7

Ambiguity

Answer 7

A vagueness of meaning to evoke multiple earnings and interpretation
Ex. Each of us saw her duck

Question 8

Anadiplosis

Answer 8

The repetition of a word or words in successive clauses in such a way that the second clause starts with the same word which marks the end of the previous clause (may be separated by a conjunction or an article)
Ex. “I am Sam; Sam I am.” - Dr. Seuss

Question 9

Analogy

Answer 9

A comparison that points out similarities between two contrasting things, typically extended further than a simple statement.
Ex. You are as annoying as nails on a chalkboard (this is also a simile)

Question 10

Anaphora

Answer 10

The repetition at the beginning of clauses for emphasis
Ex. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” (Great Expectations, Dickens)

Question 11

Anecdote

Answer 11

A very short tale told by a character in a literary work
Ex. A mother tells her son about a family vacation when she was growing up

Question 12

Antagonist

Answer 12

A character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist, produces tension or conflict
Ex. The Joker in Batman

Question 13

Antecedent

Answer 13

The noun that a pronoun replaces
Ex. Lila = she

Question 14

Antithesis

Answer 14

Contrasting ideas or images through the use of parallel structure
Ex. Many are called, but few are chosen

Question 15

Aphorism

Answer 15

Brief saying embodying a moral, concise, statement or a principle or precept given in pointed words
Ex. The simplest questions are the hardest to answer, tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.

Question 16

Apostrophe

Answer 16

When an ambient person, abstract concept, or object is directly addressed
Ex. Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are.

Question 17

Archetype

Answer 17

Usage of any object or situation as it was originally made - big cliche, but one that never dies
Ex. The hero

Question 18

Argument

Answer 18

A form of writing that makes a claim for a particular opinion or idea and supports it with evidence
“Social media has bettered society”

Question 19

Aside

Answer 19

A device in which a character in a drama makes a short speech which is heard by the audience, but not by other characters
Ex. Ferris Bueller

Question 20

Assonance

Answer 20

The repetition of vowel sounds in a literary work
Ex. “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary” (“The Raven”, Poe)