Reshan Abraha - Language Features Glossary Flashcards
What is alliteration?
The repetition of the same sound at the beginning of the words in a sentence.
It creates rhythm and emphasis.
Provide an example of alliteration from literature.
“sloe black, slow, black, crow black, fishing boat-bobbing sea.”
This example from “Under Milk Wood” illustrates the use of the ‘b’ sound.
What is anaphora?
The repetition of a phrase or word at the beginning of multiple sentences.
It emphasizes connections and themes.
Give an example of anaphora.
“It will be a skyscraper…/ It will be the smallest, most picturesque cottage….”
Wei Wei Lo’s “Home” uses anaphora to highlight the dream of a perfect home.
Define anecdote.
A personal story used in writing to give insight and evoke pathos.
It often helps create a personal connection.
Provide an example of an anecdote.
“In 1952, when I was nine and my name was Helen Ford…”
Garner uses personal anecdotes to reflect on time and illness.
What is assonance?
The repetition of vowel sounds in a sentence.
It creates a soft resonance.
Give an example of assonance.
“Full of sour marsh and broken boughs.”
Slessor’s “Wild Graphs” uses assonance to evoke a sense of emptiness.
What is atmosphere in literature?
The mood of a piece, described using words of feeling and created by techniques like sensory imagery.
It sets the emotional tone for the audience.
Provide an example of atmosphere.
“Its contours remind you of love / That soft roundness / The comfort of ocean and landmass.”
Kae Tempest’s “Picture a Vacuum” creates a gentle atmosphere.
What is characterisation?
The qualities and actions of characters in a text, fleshed out through various techniques.
It helps convey their motivations and traits.
Give an example of characterisation.
Caliban in “The Tempest” is characterised as ‘savage’ but reveals depth through his own dialogue.
Shakespeare uses poetry to add complexity to Caliban’s character.
What are collective pronouns?
The use of ‘we’, ‘us’ to create a sense of unity.
They can emphasize shared experiences or perspectives.
Provide an example of collective pronouns.
Pearson in “Eulogy for Gough Whitlam” uses collective pronouns to represent First Nations people.
This emphasizes the impact of Whitlam’s work on entire populations.
What are connotations?
The associations with a word beyond its literal definition, categorized as positive or negative.
They influence audience perception.
Provide an example of negative connotation.
In “The Surfer,” Wright describes the sea as ‘snarling.’
This evokes anger and malice.
What is contrast in literature?
Putting two things side by side to reinforce their differences.
It highlights themes or messages.
Give an example of contrast.
Eliot’s “The Journey of the Magi” contrasts birth and death.
This emphasizes the painful nature of spiritual rebirth.
What is cumulative listing?
The use of three or more verbs, nouns, or adjectives in a row to emphasize diversity.
It creates vivid imagery.
Provide an example of cumulative listing.
Pham in “Mother” lists: “The soothing aromas / of Pho and lychee tea; that familiar / crescendo of rickshaws / bicycles and scooters.”
This evokes sharp images of Vietnam.
What does derogatory language mean?
Language used to hurt and abuse, often directed at a specific group.
It reflects societal attitudes.
Provide an example of derogatory language.
In “The Drover’s Wife,” ‘Black Mary’ is referred to as ‘the whitest gin in all the land.’
This reflects racist attitudes of the time.
What is dialogue in literature?
The exchange between two or more people, represented by quotation marks.
It reveals relationships and character.
Give an example of dialogue.
Tommy says, ‘If yer bit, you’ll swell up, an smell…’
Lawson captures Tommy’s voice and knowledge of snake bites.
What is diction?
Word choice that creates tone and context.
It includes connotations, slang, and jargon.
Provide an example of diction.
Smith in “That Crafty Feeling” combines formal tone with distinct diction.
The contrast highlights her point.
What is direct address?
Use of second person pronouns ‘you’ to speak directly to the audience.
It creates immediate connection.
Give an example of direct address.
Rowling states, ‘You will never truly know yourself…’
This directly engages the audience.
What is emotive language?
Words that capture emotions, often used with pathos.
It evokes strong feelings.
Provide an example of emotive language.
Wright uses ‘joy’ and ‘delight’ in “The Surfer.”
This captures the mood of an afternoon surfing.
What is enjambment?
A poetic technique where a sentence runs over two lines.
It breaks the rhythm of a regular clause.
Give an example of enjambment.
Yu’s poem uses enjambment to create broken rhythm.
It reflects the speaker’s language challenges.
What is ethos?
A rhetorical appeal that establishes the credibility of the author.
It builds a bond with the audience.
Provide an example of ethos.
Rowling relates her experiences during her commencement address.
This connects her to her audience.
What is a flashback?
A shift in time to the past to provide context.
It creates depth in character development.
Give an example of flashback.
In “The Drover’s Wife,” the protagonist recalls her trials.
This emphasizes the severity of her conditions.
What is foreshadowing?
Preempting what will happen through inferences and tone.
It creates suspense for the reader.
Provide an example of foreshadowing.
Richard III describes himself as ‘a villain.’
This hints at his future actions.
What is hyperbole?
Exaggeration used to emphasize feelings or situations.
It often employs metaphor.
Give an example of hyperbole.
Vuong states, ‘She smiles an eternal smile.’
This emphasizes the lasting impact of his mother.
What is internal dialogue?
The thoughts inside a character’s head.
It provides insight into their feelings.
Provide an example of internal dialogue.
Kafka’s protagonist reflects, ‘Oh god! What a strenuous career…’
This captures his discontent.
What is jargon?
Words specific to a profession or field.
It denotes specialized knowledge.
Give an example of jargon.
Terms like ‘drovers’ and ‘swagmen’ in Lawson’s stories.
These reflect the life in 19th century Australia.
What is juxtaposition?
Placing two things side by side to emphasize differences.
It highlights contrasting themes.
Provide an example of juxtaposition.
Eliot’s line ‘Not with a bang but with a whimper.’
This contrasts expectations of an apocalypse.
What is a metaphor?
Comparing two things by saying one is another.
It conveys abstract ideas.
Give an example of a metaphor.
Eckerman states, ‘Let’s dig up the soil and excavate the past.’
This explores the impact of history.
What is modality?
The confidence of language, categorized as high or low.
It affects the strength of statements.
Provide an example of high modality.
Jobs states, ‘your time is limited, so don’t waste it…’
This demonstrates strong, confident advice.
What is a motif?
A repeated symbol throughout a text that reinforces ideas.
It deepens thematic exploration.
Give an example of a motif.
Geraldine Brooks’ speech uses the motif of a home.
This represents her identity as a writer.
What is natural imagery?
Descriptive language that evokes the natural world.
It can symbolize key ideas.
Provide an example of natural imagery.
Shakespeare conjures images of nature in “The Tempest.”
This contrasts humanity with elemental powers.
What is onomatopoeia?
Words that represent sounds they make.
It enhances auditory imagery.
Give an example of onomatopoeia.
Dobson’s phrase ‘foam and splash of departure.’
This conveys the sounds of waves.
What is an oxymoron?
Two contradictory words creating a new meaning.
It evokes complex ideas.
Provide an example of an oxymoron.
Slessor’s phrase ‘harsh sweetness.’
This captures a tumultuous relationship.
What is a paradox?
The connection of two contradictory ideas to create a new understanding.
It challenges perceptions.
Give an example of a paradox.
Shakespeare’s line ‘Fair is foul / and foul is fair.’
This explores moral ambiguity.
What is personification?
Giving human qualities to objects or animals.
It fosters empathy.
Provide an example of personification.
Noonuccal describes China as a pregnant woman.
This symbolizes hope and possibility.
What are plosives?
Explosive consonant sounds created by rapid air release.
They add auditory impact.
Give an example of plosives.
Thomas’ phrase ‘sloe black, slow, black, crow black.’
The plosive ‘b’ creates rhythm.
What is a pun?
A play on words with double meanings.
It often adds humor.
Provide an example of a pun.
Yu’s phrase ‘with their English, / And my Anguish.’
It highlights language barriers.
What is repetition in literature?
Repeating a word or phrase for emphasis.
It can enhance rhythm.
Give an example of repetition.
Eliot’s line ‘There will be time, there will be time…’
This creates a distinct rhythm.
What is the effect of the term ‘anguish’ used to say ‘english’?
Captures pronunciation difficulties of non-native speakers and barriers of fluency
Highlights the challenges of adapting to a new language in a foreign environment.
What is repetition in literature?
Repeating a word or phrase two or more times for emphasis
Used to create rhythm and emphasize key ideas.
What is a rhetorical question?
A question asked without the expectation of an answer, to provoke thought
Example: Margaret Atwood’s question on the existence of bad females in literature.
What are the five types of sensory imagery?
- Auditory
- Gustatory
- Olfactory
- Visual
- Tactile
These enhance the reader’s understanding of the text’s world.
What is sibilance?
Repetition of the ‘s’ consonant to create a smooth sound
Example: Dobson’s use of ‘s’ in ‘Summer’s End’ evokes a summer atmosphere.
What is a simile?
Comparing two things using ‘like’ or ‘as’
Example: ‘The houses are blind as moles’ evokes humor and imagery.
What is slang in literature?
Informal language specific to a group or demographic
Lawson’s stories use Australian slang to convey character and setting.
What is a superlative?
A description that takes something to its furthest extreme
Example: Elliot’s use of ‘infinitely’ emphasizes extremes of industrialization.
What is symbolism?
When an object or character represents an abstract idea
Ted Hughes uses a ‘high velocity bullet’ to symbolize emotional force.
What is tone in literature?
The relationship with the audience, described as formal or informal
Established through diction, as seen in Hadden’s work.
What are truncated sentences?
Short sentences that emphasize high emotion or create rhythm
Lohrey uses this technique to convey a character’s internal dialogue.
What is zoomorphism?
Assigning animal attributes to a human or object
Kafka’s protagonist in ‘Metamorphosis’ is transformed into vermin.
What is an allegory?
A text representing another story through an extended metaphor
Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ represents Stalinist Russia.
What is an allusion?
A reference to religion, history, or culture to enhance meaning
Plath’s ‘Lady Lazarus’ utilizes various allusions to strengthen its themes.
What is anadiplosis?
Repeating the last word of one sentence at the beginning of the next
Keat’s use in ‘The Eve of St Agnes’ connects ideas powerfully.
What is asyndeton?
Omission of conjunctions replaced by commas for conciseness
Shakespeare uses this to build momentum in Iago’s speech.
What is a character foil?
Two characters who serve as opposites to strengthen characterization
Caliban and Ariel in ‘The Tempest’ exemplify this device.
What is a circular structure in narrative?
When a narrative begins and ends at the same point
‘Waiting for Godot’ emphasizes themes of time and fate.
What is a counter argument?
Presenting the other side of an argument to strengthen one’s position
Keating’s acknowledgment of war’s brutalities enhances his argument.
What is an epigraph?
A short quotation at the beginning of a book or chapter reflecting its themes
Atwood’s ‘Hag-Seed’ includes quotes that provoke thematic contemplation.
What is epistolary form?
A text constructed from letters to provide different perspectives
Haddon includes letters to give insight into characters’ voices.
What is epistrophe?
Repetition at the end of successive sentences or clauses
Lincoln’s Gettysburg address is a famous example.
What is genre in literature?
The style and conventions a text is written in
‘The Pedestrian’ exemplifies science fiction conventions.
What is hyperbaton?
Inverting the normal order of words for emphasis
Shakespeare employs this technique extensively.
What is hypophora?
A rhetorical device where a question is posed and then answered
Falstaff’s musings in ‘Henry IV’ exemplify this technique.
What does ‘in media res’ mean?
Beginning in the middle of the action
‘The Tempest’ starts amid a storm, bypassing exposition.
What is intertextual reference?
Referencing another text to enhance meaning
Pearson’s eulogy humorously references Monty Python.
What is metonymy?
Using a related term in place of something else
‘English tongue’ represents the whole of the language.
What is multimodal?
Using multiple modes to create layers of meaning
Haddon’s use of graphics in ‘The Curious Incident’ adds visual depth.
What is parody?
Imitating a style to satirize it, often humorously
Orwell’s fictional text critiques revolutionary manifestos.
What is pathetic fallacy?
Using weather to reflect characters’ moods
Parrett uses ocean imagery to mirror emotional states.
What is polysyndeton?
Using multiple conjunctions in place of commas for emphasis
Shakespeare’s use in ‘Othello’ emphasizes each harmful item.
What is a sonnet?
A poem of fourteen lines with various rhyme schemes
Shakespeare is known for his well-crafted sonnets.
What is synesthesia?
Describing one sense using the language of another
Wilde’s simile makes words tactile by comparing them to a dagger.
What is synecdoche?
Using a part to represent the whole
‘Tongue’ in ‘Speak an unbroken English tongue’ represents language.
What is synecdoche?
A form of metonymy where part of something is used to represent its whole.
Example: “Speak an unbroken English tongue” uses ‘tongue’ to represent the entire spoken language.
What is a tricolon?
A rhetorical device for a series of three parallel words, phrases, or clauses.
Also known as the rule of threes, it is considered satisfying and complete in rhetoric.
How did Jobs use tricolon in his speech?
He emphasized the importance of calligraphy by stating, ‘It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture.’
What defines an unreliable narrator?
A narrative voice that is purposefully inconsistent in details and presentation of the plot.
It creates uncertainty about what is true and reveals the character’s stake in events.
Which novel features a distinct unreliable narrator?
An Artist of the Floating World by Ishiguro.
The narrative explores how the human psyche deals with dramatic events and reconstructs timelines.
Fill in the blank: A classic simile employing synesthesia can make words feel _______.
[tactile]
True or False: Tricolon is also known as the rule of twos.
[False]
