Words of the week #1

Question 1

refers to language that describes concepts rather than the concrete images (Ideas and qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places). The observable or “physical” is usually described in concrete language

Answer 1

Abstract

Question 2

In an argument, this is an attack on the person rather than on the opponent’s ideas. It comes from the Latin meaning “against the man”.

Answer 2

Ad Hominem

Question 3

an extended narrative in prose or verse in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract qualities and in which the writer intends a second meaning to be read beneath the surface of the story ; the underlying meaning may be moral, religious, political, social, or satiric.

Answer 3

Allegory

Question 4

repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close to one another: Micky Mouse; Donald Duck.

Answer 4

Alliteration

Question 5

a reference to a well known person, place, or thing from literature, history, etc. Ex. Eden

Answer 5

Allusion

Question 6

Comparison of two similar but different things, usually to clarify an action or a relationship, such as comparing the work of a heart to that of a pump. An analogy is a comparison to a directly parallel case.

Answer 6

Analogy

Question 7

Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer’s point more coherent. (Ex. “There was the delight I caught in seeing long straight rows. There was the faint, cool kiss of sensuality, There was the vague sense of the infinite…”)

Answer 7

Anaphora

Question 8

a short, simple narrative of an incident; often used for humorous effect or to make a point.

Answer 8

Anecdote

Question 9

Explanatory notes added to a text to explain, cite sources, or give bibliographical data.

Answer 9

Annotation

Question 10

the presentation of two contrasting images, The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs. “To be or not to be…”

Answer 10

Antithesis

Question 11

a short, often witty statement of a principal or a truth about life “Early bird gets the worm”

Answer 11

Aphorism

Question 12

usually in poetry but sometimes in prose; the device of calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person, or to a place, thing, or personified abstraction

Answer 12

Apostrophe

Question 13

use of an older or obsolete form.

Answer 13

Archaism

Question 14

writing that attempts to prove the validity of a point of view or an idea by presenting examples.

Answer 14

Argumentation

Question 15

repetition of vowel sounds between different consonants, such as in neigh/fade

Answer 15

Assonance

Question 16

harsh, awkward, or dissonant sounds used deliberately in poetry or prose; the opposite of euphony.

Answer 16

Cacophony

Question 17

a word or phrase (including slang) used in everyday conversation and informal writing but that is often inappropriate in formal writing (y’all, ain’t).

Answer 17

Colloquialism

Question 18

quality of a piece of writing which all of the parts contribute to the development of the central idea, theme, or organizing principal.

Answer 18

Coherence

Question 19

language that describes specific, observable things, people, or places, rather than ideas or qualities

Answer 19

Concrete language

Question 20

implied or suggested meaning of a word because of its association in the reader’s mind.

Answer 20

Connotation

Question 21

repetition of identical consonants sounds within two or more words in close proximity, as in boost/best; it can also be seen within several compound words, such as fulfill and ping-pong.

Answer 21

Consonance

Question 22

the process of moving from general rule to specific example

Answer 22

Deduction

Question 23

literal meaning of a word as defined

Answer 23

Denotation

Question 24

the picturing in words of something or someone through detailed observation of color, motion, sound, taste, smell, and touch; one of the four modes or discourse.

Answer 24

Description

Question 25

word choice, an element of style; diction creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning. Different types and arrangements of words have significant effects on meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precise than street slang.

Answer 25

Diction