Terminology (pg.1)

Question 1

Absolute

Answer 1

a word free from limitations or qualifications (“best,” “all”, “unique,” “perfect”).

Question 2

Ad hominem argument

Answer 2

an argument attacking an individual’s character rather than his or her position on an issue.

Question 3

Allusion

Answer 3

a reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize.

Question 4

Analogy

Answer 4

a comparison of two different things that are similar in some way.

Question 5

Anaphora

Answer 5

repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses

Question 6

Anecdote

Answer 6

a brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event

Question 7

Antecedent

Answer 7

the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers

Question 8

Antithesis

Answer 8

a statement in which two opposing ideas are balanced

Question 9

Aphorism

Answer 9

a concise, statement that expresses succinctly a general truth or idea, often using rhyme or balance

Question 10

Asyndeton

Answer 10

a construction in which elements are presented in a series without conjunctions

Question 11

Balanced sentence

Answer 11

a sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set off against each other to emphasize a contrast

Question 12

Chiasmus

Answer 12

a statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed

Question 13

Cliché

Answer 13

an expression that has been overused to the extent that its freshness has worn off

Question 14

Climax

Answer 14

generally, the arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of increasing importance, often in parallel structure

Question 15

Colloquialism

Answer 15

informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing

Question 16

Complex sentence

Answer 16

a sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause

Question 17

Compound sentence

Answer 17

a sentence with two or more coordinate independent clauses, often joined by one or more conjunctions

Question 18

Compound-complex sentence

Answer 18

a sentence with two or more principal clauses and one or more subordinate clauses

Question 19

Concrete details

Answer 19

details that relate to or describe actual, specific things or events

Question 20

Connotation

Answer 20

the implied or associative meaning of a word

Question 21

Cumulative sentence (loose sentence)

Answer 21

a sentence in which the main independent clause is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases

Question 22

Declarative sentence

Answer 22

a sentence that makes a statement or declaration

Question 23

Deductive reasoning

Answer 23

reasoning in which a conclusion is reached by stating a general principle and then applying that principle to a specific case

Question 24

Denotation

Answer 24

the literal meaning of a word

Question 25

Dialect

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Diction

Answer 26

the word choices made by a writer

Question 27

Didactic

Answer 27

having the primary purpose of teaching or instructing

Question 28

Ellipsis

Answer 28

three dots

Question 29

Epigram

Answer 29

a brief, pithy, and often paradoxical saying

Question 30

Ethos

Answer 30

the persuasive appeal of one’s character, or credibility

Question 31

Euphemism

Answer 31

an indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant

Question 32

Exclamatory sentence

Answer 32

a sentence expressing strong feeling, usually punctuated with an exclamation mark