Lit+Terms+1

1. ** allegory-- ** A narrative in which the characters, behavior, and even the setting demonstrate multiple levels of meaning and significance. Famous examples include Aesop's Fables and George Orwell's //Animal Farm//.

2. ** anaphora-- ** A figure of repetition, wherein words or phrases are repeated at the beginning of successive verses or clauses. "To raise a happy, healthful, and hopeful child, it takes family; it takes teachers; it takes clergy; it takes business people; it takes community leaders; it takes those who protect our health and safety; it takes all of us" (Hilary Clinton, National Convention Address, 1996).

3. ** aphorism-- ** A concise statement designed to make a point or illustrate a commonly held belief. One example: Spare the rod and spoil the child”. Here's another example from Oscar Wilde:“The pure and simple truth is never pure, and rarely simple."

4. ** attitude-- ** T he sense expressed by the tone of voice or the mood of a piece of writing; the author’s feelings toward his or her subject, characters, events or theme. It might even be his or her feelings for the reader.

5. ** chiasmus-- ** A  figure of speech and generally a syntactical structure wherein the order of the terms in the first half of a parallel clause is reversed on the second. For example, "He thinks I am but a fool. A fool, perhaps I am.”

6. ** connotation-- ** DENOTATION is the dictionary meaning of a word. Connotation is the implication of something more than the accepted or primary meaning, the association we make with the word.

7. ** deductive reasoning-- ** T he method of argument in which specific statements and conclusions are drawn from general principals: movement from the general to the specific, in contrast to inductive reasoning.

8. ** didactic-- ** I ntended to teach an instructive purpose or lesson.

9. ** epistrophe-- ** The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive lines or clauses. For example, “If women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish. If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in society, their families will flourish.”

10. ** ethos-- ** I n rhetoric, the appeal of the text to the credibility and character of the speaker, writer or narrator.

11. ** exposition-- ** The interpretation of a text.

12. ** figurative language-- ** The term is equivalent to metaphorical, and opposed to literal. Figurative language includes metaphor, simile, personification, metonymy, and synecdoche.

13. ** hyperbole-- ** Exaggeration, for the purpose of emphasis. For instance, saying, "I'm so embarrassed I could die."

14. ** imagery-- ** Pictures in words, usually presented by appealing to one or more of the five senses; oftentimes used in conjunction with figures of speech.

15. ** Inductive reasoning-- ** T he method of reasoning or argument in which general statements and conclusions are drawn from specific principals; movement from the specific to the general.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">16. ** juxtaposition-- ** A n act or instance of placing close together or side by side, esp. for comparison or contrast.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">17. ** logos-- ** T he rational principle that governs and develops the universe. An appeal to logic and reasoning.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">18. ** Loose sentence-- ** A long sentence that starts with a main clause, followed by several dependent clauses and modifying phrases. For example, “The child ran, frenzied and ignoring all hazards, as if being chased by demons.”

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">19. ** metaphor-- ** (Greek, //metaphora//, “transference”) The application of a name or a descriptive term to an object to which it is not literally applicable. An implied comparison not using 'like' or 'as.'

Be aware of the variants of this term. A __direct metaphor__ states that one thing is another, such as “the stars are icy diamonds” (“stars //like// icy diamonds is a SIMILE). Then there is the __implied__ __metaphor__ which suggests a comparison rather than blatantly stating it (“Against her formal black gown, she wore a constellation of diamonds” is an example). An __extended, or controlling metaphor__ is developed over several lines or even through an entire work or paragraph. Avoid the __mixed__ __metaphor__, which is the inconsistent mixture of two or more metaphors – often with absurd results (“The ship of state went into a tailspin”).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">20. ** mood-- ** A <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> feeling or ambience resulting from the tone of a piece as well as the writer/narrator’s point of view. It is a feeling that establishes the atmosphere in a work of literature.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">21. ** onomatopoeia-- ** (Greek, “making a name”) The formation of words from sounds which seem to suggest and reinforce the meaning. For example, murmur, sizzle, and buzz//.//

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">22. ** pathos-- ** (Greek, suffering, emotion) The quality in writing which evokes pity or sadness.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">23. ** Periodic sentence-- ** A long sentence in which the main clause is not completed until the end. For example, “Looking as if she were being chased by demons, ignoring all hazards, the child ran.”

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">24. ** rhetoric-- ** The art of using language, as in public speech, to persuade or influence others. Eloquent and often heightened use of words.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">25. ** syntax-- ** The arrangement and grammatical relation of words as parts of a sentence; the tactics of word order. Important in establishing tone and style.