Summer Vocab

Question 0

Ad hominem

Answer 0

Writer argues by attacking his opponent personally instead of his argument

Question 1

Abstract language

Answer 1

Language describing ideas and qualities as opposed to specific, observable people, places or things

Question 2

Allegory

Answer 2

Using character and or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning

Question 3

Anaphora

Answer 3

Repetition that occurs when the first word or set of words in one sentence, clause, or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successful sentences clauses or phrases

Question 4

Anecdote

Answer 4

A brief recounting of a relevant story

Question 5

Antecedent

Answer 5

Word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers

Question 6

Antithesis

Answer 6

A contrast or opposition

Question 7

Aphorism

Answer 7

A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle

Question 8

Apostrophe

Answer 8

A figure of speech in which one directly addresses an imaginary person, or some abstraction

Question 9

Asyndeton

Answer 9

Sentence where commas are used with no conjunctions to separate a series of words

Question 10

Authority

Answer 10

Ethos writer used influence of an authority to strengthen his argument

Question 11

Backing

Answer 11

Another name for support of evidence used in an argument

Question 12

Balance

Answer 12

When both sides of a sentence are about the same length and importance

Question 13

Bathos

Answer 13

A sudden drop from the sublime or elevated to the ludicrous

Question 14

Begging the question

Answer 14

Circular reasoning, when believability of the evidence depends on the believability of the claim

Question 15

Bombast

Answer 15

Adopted to signify verbose and inflated diction disproportionate to the matter it expresses

Question 16

Casual relationship

Answer 16

When a writer proves that one thing causes another as part of his argument

Question 17

Chiasmus

Answer 17

Arrangement of repeated thoughts in the pattern x y y x

Question 18

Colloquialism

Answer 18

Informal words not usually acceptable in formal writing

Question 19

Concession

Answer 19

An argumentative strategy by which a speaker or writer acknowledges the validity of an opponents view

Question 20

Cumulative

Answer 20

A sentence which begins with the main idea and then expands on that idea with a series of details/particulars

Question 21

Consonance

Answer 21

The repetition of consonant sounds in neighboring words whose vowel sounds are different

Question 22

Denotation

Answer 22

Actual dictionary definition

Question 23

Dialect

Answer 23

Variety of speech characterized by own particular grammar or pronunciation, often associated with a particular geographical region

Question 24

Didactic

Answer 24

Works that have the primary aim of teaching or instructing especially moral or ethical principled

Question 25

Ellipsis

Answer 25

Sentence which leaves something out in the second half because it is understood

Question 26

Expletive

Answer 26

A syllable word or phrase inserted to fill a vacancy in a sentence without adding to the sense

Question 27

Euphemism

Answer 27

Use of unoffensive language in place of language that readers or listeners might find hurtful, distasteful, or objectionable

Question 28

Extended metaphor

Answer 28

Metaphor that is developed over a number of lines with several examples

Question 29

False analogy

Answer 29

The claim of persuasive likeness when no significant likeness occurs

Question 30

Hyperbole

Answer 30

Intentional exaggeration

Question 31

Invective

Answer 31

Emotionally violent verbal denunciation or attack using strong abusive language

Question 32

Inversion

Answer 32

A sentence which varies from the normal sentence pattern of of noun-verb-complement by putting a verb or modifier first

Question 33

Jargon

Answer 33

Specialized language or vocabulary of a particular group or profession

Question 34

Juxtaposition

Answer 34

Placing two elements side by side for effect

Question 35

Metonymy

Answer 35

Replacing a word with another word related to it or describing it

Question 36

Non- sequitur

Answer 36

A statement that is not logically connected to another

Question 37

Over-simplification

Answer 37

Writer obscures or denies the complexity of an issue

Question 38

Paradox

Answer 38

A statement or situation that seems to contradict itself but in essence is true

Question 39

Parallelism

Answer 39

Sentence construction which places in close proximity two or more sentence elements in equal grammatical constructions

Question 40

Pedantic

Answer 40

Narrow focus on or display of learning and essentially its trivial aspects

Question 41

Periodic

Answer 41

Sentence in which the main clause or its predicate is withheld until the end

Question 42

Passive voice

Answer 42

Form of the verb when the sentence subject is acted upon

Question 43

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc

Answer 43

Assuming that because B follows A, B was caused by A

Question 44

Red herring

Answer 44

Writer raises an irrelevant issue to draw attention away from the real issue

Question 45

Refutation

Answer 45

Mustering relevant opposing arguments, refutes through evidence a logical opposition

Question 46

Rhetoric

Answer 46

Principles governing the art of writing effectively eloquently and persuasively

Question 47

Satire

Answer 47

Use of humor to emphasize weakness or imperfections in social institutions

Question 48

Syllogism

Answer 48

Three step form of reasoning that employs deduction

Question 49

Synecdoche

Answer 49

Replacing something with part of that something

Question 50

Syntax

Answer 50

Authors chosen word order in a specific situation

Question 51

Tautology

Answer 51

Statement that is unconditionally true by virtue of its form alone

Question 52

Tone

Answer 52

Authors attitude

Question 53

Undertone

Answer 53

An attitude that may lie under the ostensible tone of the piece