Vocab Test #2

Question 1

Denotation

Answer 1

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.

Question 2

Diacope

Answer 2

Repetition of a word or phrase after an intervening word or phrase.

Word/phrase, . . ., word/phrase

Question 3

Diction

Answer 3

Related to style, diction refers to the writers word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

Question 4

Didactic

Answer 4

From the Greek, didactic literally means “teaching”. Didactic works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

Question 5

Enumeratio

Answer 5

Figure of amplification in which a subject is divided into constituent parts or details, and may include a listing of causes, effects, problems, solutions, conditions, and consequences; the listing or detailing of the parts of something.

Question 6

Expletive

Answer 6

Figure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase, usually interrupting normal speech, is used to lend emphasis to the words on either side of the expletive.

Question 7

Euphemism

Answer 7

From the Greek for ‘good speech”, euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept. The euphemism may be sued to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatement.

Question 8

Exposition

Answer 8

In essays, one of the four chief types of composition, the others being argumentation, description, and narration. The purpose of exposition is to explain something. In drama, the exposition is the introductory material, which creates the tone, gives the setting, and introduces the characters and conflict.

Question 9

Extended Metaphor

Answer 9

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout the work.

Question 10

Figurative Language

Answer 10

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

Question 11

Figure of speech

Answer 11

A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. figures of speech include apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.

Question 12

Generic conventions

Answer 12

This terms describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for example, they differentiate an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing.

Question 13

Genre

Answer 13

The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama. However, genre is a flexible term; within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called genres themselves.

Question 14

Homily

Answer 14

This term literally means “sermon”, but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

Question 15

Hyperbole

Answer 15

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, hyperbole produces irony.

Question 16

Hypophora

Answer 16

Figure of reasoning in which one or more questions is/are asked and then answered, often at length, by one and the same speaker; raising and responding to one’s own question(s). A common usage is to ask the question at the beginning of a paragraph and then us the paragraph to answer it. You can use the hypophora to raise questions in which you think the reader obviously has on his/her mind and would like to see formulated and answered.

Question 17

Imagery

Answer 17

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, imagery uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, or olfactory imagery. On a broader and deeper level, however, one image can represent more than one thing.