Vocab 1-29

Question 1

Absolutes

Answer 1

Terms free from limitations or controls: all, best, everyone, unique

Question 2

Adage

Answer 2

A proverb or wise saying, aphorism, epigram

Question 3

Allegory

Answer 3

A literary work with two layers of meaning- literal and symbolic, used to teach morals or criticize society

Question 4

Allusion

Answer 4

A reference to a literary, religious, mythological, or historical work or person that the author assumes the reader will recognize

Question 5

Analogy

Answer 5

The extended comparison of two things that are not alike, like an extended metaphor/simile but used for an argument

Question 6

Anecdote

Answer 6

A brief narrative/retelling of a story/event based usually on a speakers own experience

Question 7

Antithesis

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Aphorism

Answer 8

A concisely phrased or pithy statement of truth or opinion, a saying/adage/epigram

Question 9

Apostrophe

Answer 9

The addressing of an inanimate object as though it were human

Question 10

Asyndeton

Answer 10

The omission of conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses: “he was smart, kind, handy, all around a great man”

Question 11

Balanced sentence

Answer 11

A sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set against each other to emphasize a contrast: light is faster but we are safer

Question 12

Chiasmus

Answer 12

A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed: Susan walked in, out rushed Mary

Question 13

Colloquialism

Answer 13

Informal words or expressions- slang- not appropriate in formal writing

Question 14

Complex sentence

Answer 14

A sentence with an independent and dependent clause: Even though he was rich, he was unhappy

Question 15

Compound sentence

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Cumulative sentence

Answer 16

A sentence where the main independent clause is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases

Question 17

Diction

Answer 17

Word choices by the speaker/writer

Question 18

Didactic

Answer 18

Intended to instruct/teach, often excessively

Question 19

Elegy

Answer 19

A thoughtful poem lamenting a death

Question 20

Epithet

Answer 20

Pointing out a characteristic of a person, Homeric become part of a name, can be offensive

Question 21

Epigram

Answer 21

A brief, pithy, or paradoxical saying, often in written form

Question 22

Eulogy

Answer 22

A speech praising a person who had died

Question 23

Euphemism

Answer 23

Polite phrase used in place of something vulgar

Question 24

Figurative launguage

Answer 24

Language employing one or more figures of speech

Question 25

Homily/sermon

Answer 25

A speech delivered at a religious gathering meant to instruct in doctrine and practices

Question 26

Hyperbole

Answer 26

An exaggeration or overstatement

Question 27

Irony

Answer 27

The use of words to convey their opposite meaning

Question 28

Isocolon

Answer 28

Use of parallel structures the same length in successive clauses

Question 29

Juxtaposition

Answer 29

Placing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast