Notes Set 3 (41-60)

Question 1

Adage

Answer 1

An adage is a short, pointed and memorable saying based on facts, and is considered a veritable truth by the majority of people. Famous adages become popular due to their usage over a long period of time. In fact, an adage expresses a general fact or truth about life. As it becomes
popular, it is then accepted as a universal truth. For instance, “God helps those who help themselves” is now considered a universal truth because of its usage throughout the human history. Often repeated sayings and quotes become adages that pass on to many generations.

Question 2

Pedantic

Answer 2

Pedantic comes from a French word, pedant, means “to teach or to act as pedagogue.” A pedantic is someone who is concerned with precision, formalism, accuracy, minute details in order to make an arrogant and ostentatious show of learning. He could be a writer, a character, feelings, tone or words. Sigmund Freud defines pedantic as, “The pedant is he who finds it impossible to read criticism of himself without immediately reaching for his pen and replying to the effect that the accusation is a gross insult to his person.”A pedant often corrects small
mistakes that are not very important in grand matters and, therefore, may annoy others around him.

Question 3

Flippant

Answer 3

lacking proper respect or seriousness. This is often associated with the impatience of yout

Question 4

Evocative

Answer 4

the use of language that “suggests” meanings other than the denotative. Language that connects with emotions or feelings not associated with the actual meaning of a word.

Question 5

Syntactical Inversion

Answer 5

inversion, also called anastrophe, in literary style and rhetoric, the syntactic reversal of the normal order of the words and phrases in a sentence, as, in English, the placing of an adjective after the noun it modifies (“the form divine”), a verb before its subject (“Came the dawn”).

Question 6

Appostion

Answer 6

is a grammatical construction in which two elements, normally noun phrases, are placed side by side, with one element serving to identify the other in a different way. The two elements are said to be in apposition

Question 7

Didactic

Answer 7

The word didactic is frequently used for those literary texts which are overloaded with informative or realistic matter and are marked by the omission of graceful and pleasing details. Didactic, therefore, becomes a derogatory term referring to the forms of literature that are ostentatiously dull and erudite. However, some literary texts are entertaining as well as didactic.

Question 8

Conceit

Answer 8

Conceit is a figure of speech in which two vastly different objects are likened together with the help of similes or metaphors. Thus, conceit examples have a surprising or shocking effect on the readers because they are novel comparisons unlike the conventional comparisons made in similes and metaphors.

Question 9

Periodic Sentence

Answer 9

A periodic sentence has the main clause or predicate at the end. This is used for emphasis and can be persuasive by putting reasons for something at the beginning before the final point is made. It can also create suspense or interest for the reader. Here are some examples for reference. Consider what the strength of this type of sentence might be. In spite of heavy snow and cold temperatures, the game continued.

Question 10

Paradox

Answer 10

It is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly but may include a latent truth. It is also used to illustrate an opinion or statement contrary to accepted traditional ideas. A paradox is often used to make a reader think over an idea in innovative way. Some memorable examples are: “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”.

Question 11

Irony

Answer 11

Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. It may also be a situation that may end up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple words, it is a difference between the appearance and the reality.

Question 12

Parenthesis

Answer 12

Parenthesis is a stylistic device that comes from a Greek word, meaning to place or alongside. Parenthesis is a qualifying or explanatory sentence, clause or word that writers insert into a paragraph or passage. However, if they leave it out, even then grammatically it does not affect the text that is correct without it. Writers mark them off by round and square brackets or by commas, dashes, little lines and brackets. As far as its purpose is concerned, this verbal unit provides extra information, interrupts syntactic flow of words, and allows the readers to pay attention on explanation. However, the overuse of parenthesis may make sentences look ambiguous and poorly structured.

Question 13

Sardonic

Answer 13

grimly mocking, sarcastic, satirical, mocking in a humorous manner. This is one of those “TONE” words that describe writing that fits the meaning.

Question 14

Satire

Answer 14

Satire is a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule. It intends to improve humanity by criticizing its follies and foibles. A writer in a satire uses fictional characters, which stand for real people, to expose and condemn their corruption. One current example at this writing was something spoken by Steven Colbert the other night on his show: “If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn’t help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we’ve got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don’t want to do it.”

Question 15

Polemical

Answer 15

relating to or involving strongly critical, controversial, or disputatious writing or speech. “a polemical essay” could be any of the following (synonyms) critical, hostile, bitter, polemic, virulent, vitriolic, venomous, caustic, trenchant, cutting, acerbic, sardoni c, sarcastic, scathing, sharp, incisive, devastating

Question 16

Ambiguity

Answer 16

Ambiguity or fallacy of ambiguity is a word, phrase, or statement which contains more than one meaning. Skilled writers use ambiguity with purpose and intent. HOWEVER…most students who are just learning about language use it without thought and it detracts from their writing. Here is a good example of purposeful use to “tag” a teenager speaking…what is ambiguous in this sentence? Examples follow… “I ran all the way to the main gate, and then I waited a second till I got my breath. I have no wind, if you want to know the truth. I’m quite a heavy smoker, for one thing—that is, I used to be. They made me cut it out. Another thing, I grew six and a half inches last year. That’s also how I practically got T.B. and came out here for all these g- -dam checkups and stuff. I’m pretty healthy though.”

Question 17

Achetype

Answer 17

An archetype, also known as universal symbol, may be a character, a theme, a symbol or even a setting. Many literary critics are of the opinion that archetypes, which have a common and recurring representation in a particular human culture or entire human race, shape the structure and function of a literary work.

Question 18

Function Of Archetype

Answer 18

The use of archetypical characters and situations gives a literary work a universal acceptance, as readers identify the characters and situations in their social and cultural context. By using common archetype, the writers attempt to impart realism to their works, as the situations and characters are drawn from the experiences of the world.

Question 19

Tragic Flaw

Answer 19

is a literary device that can be defined as a trait in a character leading to his downfall and the character is often the hero of the literary piece. This trait could be the lack of self-knowledge, lack of judgement and often it is hubris (pride). Can you ascertain what the tragic flaw of this character might be from his monologue? “To be, or not to be-that is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer…..”

Question 20

Assertion

Answer 20

When someone makes a statement investing his strong belief in it, as if it is true though it may not be, he is making an assertion. Assertion is a stylistic approach or technique involving a strong declaration, a forceful or confident and positive statement regarding a belief or a fact. Often, it is without a proof or any support. Its purpose is to express ideas or feelings directly, for instance, “I have put my every effort to complete this task today.”