Vocab 1-29 Flashcards
Absolutes
Terms free from limitations or controls: all, best, everyone, unique
Adage
A proverb or wise saying, aphorism, epigram
Allegory
A literary work with two layers of meaning- literal and symbolic, used to teach morals or criticize society
Allusion
A reference to a literary, religious, mythological, or historical work or person that the author assumes the reader will recognize
Analogy
The extended comparison of two things that are not alike, like an extended metaphor/simile but used for an argument
Anecdote
A brief narrative/retelling of a story/event based usually on a speakers own experience
Antithesis
The contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses: we must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools
Aphorism
A concisely phrased or pithy statement of truth or opinion, a saying/adage/epigram
Apostrophe
The addressing of an inanimate object as though it were human
Asyndeton
The omission of conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses: “he was smart, kind, handy, all around a great man”
Balanced sentence
A sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set against each other to emphasize a contrast: light is faster but we are safer
Chiasmus
A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed: Susan walked in, out rushed Mary
Colloquialism
Informal words or expressions- slang- not appropriate in formal writing
Complex sentence
A sentence with an independent and dependent clause: Even though he was rich, he was unhappy
Compound sentence
A sentence with two or more coordinate independent clauses, often joined by a conjunction: I want to go to work but I am too sick to drive
Cumulative sentence
A sentence where the main independent clause is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases
Diction
Word choices by the speaker/writer
Didactic
Intended to instruct/teach, often excessively
Elegy
A thoughtful poem lamenting a death
Epithet
Pointing out a characteristic of a person, Homeric become part of a name, can be offensive
Epigram
A brief, pithy, or paradoxical saying, often in written form
Eulogy
A speech praising a person who had died
Euphemism
Polite phrase used in place of something vulgar
Figurative launguage
Language employing one or more figures of speech
Homily/sermon
A speech delivered at a religious gathering meant to instruct in doctrine and practices
Hyperbole
An exaggeration or overstatement
Irony
The use of words to convey their opposite meaning
Isocolon
Use of parallel structures the same length in successive clauses
Juxtaposition
Placing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast
