Terms In Quiz (Blue) Flashcards
Allusion
An indirect reference to something (usually a literary text, although it can be other things commonly known, such as plays, songs, historical events) with which the reader is supposed to be familiar.
Anecdote
A brief recounting of a relevant episode. Anecdotes are often inserted into fictional or non fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor. “when we were young” is a personal anecdote
Comic relief
when a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood somewhat. The “gatekeeper scene” in Macbeth is an example of comic relief.
Diction
Word choice, particularly as an element of style.
Diction- Colloquial
Ordinary or familiar type of conversation. A “colloquialism” is a common or familiar type of saying, similar to an adage or an aphorism.
Diction- Connotation
Rather than the dictionary definition (denotation), the associations suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning. (For example, “policeman,” “cop,” and “The Man” all denote the same literal meaning of police officer, but each has a different connotation.)
Diction- Jargon
The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity. Lawyers speak using particular jargon, as do soccer players.
Diction- Denotation
The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations. Dictionary Def.
Diction- Vernacular
- Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or dialect of a regional clan or group. 3. Plain everyday speech pronunciation/dialect
Didactic
A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking. - moral of the story is…
Didactic- Adage
A folk saying with a lesson. “A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Didactic- Allegory
A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth. Animal Farm, by George Orwell, is an allegory.
Didactic- Aphorism
A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle. An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author’s point. Ben Franklin wrote many of these in Poor Richard’s Almanac, such as “God helps them that help themselves,” and “A watched pot never boils.”
Euphemism
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. Sometimes they are used for political correctness or humor EX: She passed away instead of she died or physically challenged instead of short
Figurative Language
“Figurative Language” is the opposite of “Literal Language.” Literal language is writing that makes complete sense when you take it at face value. “Figurative Language” is the opposite: writing that is not meant to be taken literally.
Figurative Language- Analogy
An analogy is a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables. When a writer uses an analogy, he or she argues that the relationship between the first pair of variables is the same as the relationship between the second pair of variables. “America is to the world as the hippo is to the jungle.” Similes and metaphors are sometimes also analogies.
Figurative Language- Hyperbole
Exaggeration. “My mother will kill me if I am late.”
Figurative Language- Idiom
A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally. “I got chewed out by my coach.”
Figurative Language- Metaphor
Making an implied comparison, not using “like,” as,” or other such words. “My feet are popsicles.” An extended metaphor is when the metaphor is continued later in the written work. If I continued to call my feet “my popsicles” in later paragraphs, that would be an extended metaphor. A particularly elaborate extended metaphor is called using conceit.
Figurative Language- Metonymy
Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept. “Relations between London and Washington have been strained,” does not literally mean relations between the two cities, but between the leaders of The United States and England. Metonymy is often used with body parts: “I could not understand his tongue,” means his language or his speech.
Figurative Language- Synechdoche
A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its parts, or vice versa. “The cattle rancher owned 500 head.” “Check out my new wheels.”
Figurative Language- Simile
Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very different things. “My feet are so cold they feel like popsicles.”
Figurative Language- Synesthesia
a description involving a “crossing of the senses.” Examples: “A purplish scent filled the room.” “I was deafened by his brightly-colored clothing.”
Figurative Language- Personification
Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human. “The tired old truck groaned as it inched up the hill.”
