Summer Vocab pt. 1 Flashcards
Metaphor
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable; an implied comparison not using “like” or “as”.
ex. It is raining cats and dogs.
Alliteration
Literary device that reflects repetition in two or more nearby words of initial consonant sound.
ex. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Pun
A joking phrase exploiting the different possible meanings of a word.
ex. You insisted on being right so I decided to go left.
Personification
Giving human-like qualities or personal nature to something not human.
ex. The lightning danced across the night sky.
Simile
A figure of speech comparing two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.”
ex. Your eyes are as green as the grass.
Hyperbole
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
ex. I would never do that, go jump off a cliff.
Onomatopoeia
The creation of a word that phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the sound that it describes.
ex. buzz, meow, snap.
Assonance
The repetition of identical, similar vowel sounds, or stressed syllables near enough to echo; create internal rhyming.
ex. Who knows why the cold wind blows or where it goes, or what it knows.
Oxymoron
Rhetorical device when two unlike terms are grouped together to suggest a paradox.
ex. Deafening silence
Paradox
A statement that self-contradicts itself, but when explained may prove to be true.
ex. Less is more.
Allusion
An indirect reference designed to call something to the reader’s mind without mentioning anything explicitly.
ex. Everyone refers to Cathy as another Mother Teresa in the making.
Imagery
Visually descriptive language used to create “mental images” for the reader.
ex. The trees rustled as the wind whistled gently through the leaves.
Irony
The literal meaning of the word is different than the implied meaning given by the sentence.
ex. The police officer getting arrested.
Satire
Use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to reveal a critical attitude toward some element of life; intended for some humorous effect.
ex. Most political cartoons.
Symbol
A mark or character used to represent something else entirely.
ex. Nike ‘swoosh’ symbol resembling the brand
Symbolism
The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
ex. Piggy’s glasses in LOTF are a symbol of wisdom.
Litotes
Ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary.
ex. He’s not that old, he only turned 99.
Paraphrase
To formulate another’s words or ideas in your own words.
ex. the text saying “Oh Lord, please help me!” -> paraphrase - He asked the Lord to help him.
Prosody
The patterns of rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech or sounds within poetry or language.
ex. She is a great singer (can be spoken either with conviction believable or sarcastically as if she is not).
Euphemism
The substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for an expression that would otherwise be offensive or unpleasant.
ex. Late grandparent/ passed away - rather than died
Colloquialism
Local dialect expression; common saying in specific region that is not formal.
ex. aint (American), bloody hell (British), blunger (Australian)
Anaphora
Repetition of a word or expression at the beginning or phrases or clauses in a row.
ex. You cannot begin, You cannot understand, You cannot even believe.
Asyndeton
Eliminating conjunctions like “and” or “but.” This rhetorical device works to make a speech more dramatic and effective by speeding up its rhythm and pace.
ex. I came. I saw. I conquered.
Metonymy
A figure of speech that uses an attribute of a related word or object to replace the actual word or object.
ex. She fought for her right at the crown.
Characterization
A process through which an author reveals a character’s personality.
ex. Getting to know the main characters through what they do, say, look like.
Parallelism
A component of literary style in both prose and poetry, in which coordinate ideas are arranged in phrases, sentences, and paragraphs that balance one element with another of equal importance and similar wording.
ex. I like to jog, bake, paint, and watch movies.
Parody
A literary or musical work in which the style of the author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule.
ex. Shrek, Austin Powers
Fable
A short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral.
ex. The Tortoise and the Hare, the Lorax
Anecdote
Short accounts of a real event told in the form of a very brief story; Their effect is often to create an emotional or sympathetic response.
ex. We have all had embarrassing moments - one time I accidentally ___ - story is illustrating the point.
Archetypical
Representing an original type after which all things of the same type are copies of.
ex. The lover
Apostrophes
(‘) Marks to indicate possession or omission of letters or numbers.
ex. Jim’s bright eyes, the 80’s
Infer
To derive a conclusion from evidence and reasoning rather than facts and statements.
ex. The dog was put outside because he was the only one home when the bed was torn to shreds.
Interpret
To explain or tell the meaning of actions or behaviors; have significant meaning.
ex. The mother interpreted the child’s lack of interest in the outdoors that he would never be a camping expert.
Summarize
Giving a brief statement of key points.
ex. The summary of a text.
Analysis
Examination or interpretation of elements.
ex. The lab analysis concluded his fingerprints were at the scene of the crime.
Syntax
The set of rules that determines the arrangement of words in a sentence; used to convey meaning of a text.
ex. subject + verb + direct object formula “Jillian hit the ball.”
Prose
Ordinary spoken or written language without meter.
ex. it was great, it was wonderful
Tragic Flaw
The flaw of a character that leads to the downfall of the hero.
ex. Achilles’ heel
