Literature and Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
Active Voice: Definition
A
The subject of the sentence performs the action.
2
Q
Allusion: Definition
A
An indirect reference to something with which the reader is supposed to be familiar.
3
Q
Alter-ego: Definition
A
A character that is used by the author to speak the author’s own thoughts; when an author
speaks directly to the audience through a character.
4
Q
Anecdote: Definition
A
A brief recounting of a relevant episode.
5
Q
Antecedent: Definition
A
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.
6
Q
Classicism: Definition
A
Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world
7
Q
Comic Relief: Definition
A
When a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story
8
Q
Diction: Definition
A
Word choice, particularly as an element of style.
9
Q
Didactic: Definition
A
A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or
provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
10
Q
Ellipsis: Definition
A
The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.
11
Q
Euphemism: Definition
A
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts.
12
Q
Figurative Language: Definition
A
Writing that is not meant to be taken literally.
13
Q
Foreshadowing: Definition
A
When an author gives hints about what will occur later in a story.
14
Q
Genre: Definition
A
The major category into which a literary work fits.
15
Q
Gothic: Definition
A
Writing characterized by gloom, mystery, fear and/or death. Also refers to an architectural style
of the middle ages, often seen in cathedrals of this period.
16
Q
Imagery: Definition
A
Word or words that create a picture in the reader’s mind.
17
Q
Invective: Definition
A
A long, emotionally violent, attack using strong, abusive language.
18
Q
Irony: Definition
A
When the opposite of what you expect to happen does.
19
Q
Juxtaposition: Definition
A
Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison.
20
Q
Mood: Definition
A
The atmosphere created by the literature and accomplished through word choice (diction).
21
Q
Motif: Definition
A
a recurring idea in a piece of literature.
22
Q
Oxymoron: Definition
A
When apparently contradictory terms are grouped together and suggest a paradox
23
Q
Pacing: Definition
A
The speed or tempo of an author’s writing.
24
Q
Paradox: Definition
A
A seemingly contradictory situation which is actually true.
25
Parallelism: Definition
Sentence construction which
| places equal grammatical constructions near each other, or repeats identical grammatical patterns.
26
Parenthetical Idea: Definition
Parentheses are used to set off an idea from the rest of the sentence.
27
Parody: Definition
An exaggerated imitation of a serious work for humorous purposes.
28
Persona: Definition
The fictional mask or narrator that tells a story.
29
Poetic device: Definition
A device used in poetry to manipulate the sound of words, sentences or lines.
30
Polysyndeton: Definition
When a writer creates a list of items which are all separated by conjunctions.
31
Pun: Definition
When a word that has two or more meanings is used in a humorous way.
32
Rhetoric: Definition
The art of effective communication.
33
Rhetorical Question: Definition
Question not asked for information but for effect.
34
Romanticism: Definition
Art or literature characterized by an idealistic, perhaps unrealistic view of people and the
world, and an emphasis on nature.
35
Sarcasm: Definition
A generally bitter comment that is ironically or satirically worded.
36
Satire: Definition
A work that reveals a critical attitude toward some element of life to a humorous effect.
37
Sentence: Definition
A sentence is group of words (including subject and verb) that expresses a complete thought.
38
Style: Definition
The choices in diction, tone, and syntax that a writer makes.
39
Symbol: Definition
Anything that represents or stands for something else.
40
Syntax/sentence variety: Definition
Grammatical arrangement of words.
41
Theme: Definition
The central idea or message of a work.
42
Thesis: Definition
The sentence or groups of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning,
or proposition.
43
Tone: Definition
A writer's attitude toward his subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language and
organization.
44
Understatement: Definition
The ironic minimizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant
than it is.
45
Argument: Definition
An argument is a piece of reasoning with one or more premises and a conclusion.
46
Aristotle’s appeals: Definition
The goal of argumentative writing is to persuade an audience that one’s ideas are valid, or more
valid than someone else's. The Greek philosopher Aristotle divided all means of persuasion
(appeals) into three categories - ethos, pathos, and logos.
47
Concession: Definition
Accepting at least part or all of an opposing viewpoint.
48
Conditional Statement: Definition
A conditional statement is an if-then statement and consists of two parts, an antecedent and a
consequent.
49
Contradiction: Definition
A contradiction occurs when one asserts two mutually exclusive propositions
50
Counterexample: Definition
A counterexample is an example that runs counter to (opposes) a generalization, thus falsifying it.
51
Deductive argument: Definition
An argument in which it is thought that the premises provide a guarantee of the truth of the
conclusion.
52
Fallacy: Definition
A fallacy is an attractive but unreliable piece of reasoning.
53
Inductive argument: Definition
An argument in which it is thought that the premises provide reasons supporting the probable truth
of the conclusion.
54
Sound argument: Definition
A deductive argument is said to be sound if it meets two conditions: First, that the line of
reasoning from the premises to the conclusion is valid. Second, that the premises are true.
55
Unstated premises: Definition
Not every argument is fully expressed. Sometimes premises or even conclusions are left
unexpressed.
56
Valid argument: Definition
An argument is valid if the conclusion logically follows from the premises.
57
Colloquial: Definition
Ordinary or familiar type of conversation.
58
Connotation: Definition
Rather than the dictionary definition (denotation), the associations suggested by a
word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning.
59
Denotation: Definition
The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.
60
Jargon: Definition
The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity.
61
Vernacular: Definition
Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or dialect of a regional
clan or group. 3. Plain everyday speech
62
Adage: Definition
A folk saying with a lesson.
63
Allegory: Definition
A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent
qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an
abstraction or a truth.
64
Aphorism: Definition
A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle. An aphorism
can be a memorable summation of the author's point.
65
Analogy: Definition
An analogy is a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables.
66
Hyperbole: Definition
Exaggeration
67
Idiom: Definition
A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.
68
Metaphor: Definition
Making an implied comparison, not using “like,” as,” or other such words.
69
Metonymy: Definition
Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.
70
Synecdoche: Definition
A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its
parts, or vice versa.
71
Simile: Definition
Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very
different things.
72
Synesthesia: Definition
a description involving a “crossing of the senses.”
73
Personification: Definition
Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human.
74
Verbal Irony: Definition
When you say something and mean the opposite/something different.
75
Dramatic Irony: Definition
When the audience of a drama, play, movie, etc. knows something that the
character doesn't and would be surprised to find out.
76
Situational Irony: Definition
Found in the plot (or story line) of a book, story, or movie.
77
Anaphora: Definition
Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences or
clauses in a row.
78
Chiasmus: Definition
When the same words are used twice in succession, but the second time, the order of
the words is reversed.
79
Antithesis: Definition
Two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses, or even ideas, with parallel
structure.
80
Zuegma (Syllepsis): Definition
When a single word governs or modifies two or more other words, and the
meaning of the first word must change for each of the other words it governs or modifies.
81
Alliteration: Definition
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words.
82
Assonance: Definition
The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds.
83
Consonance: Definition
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the end of words or within words.
84
Onomatopoeia: Definition
The use of a word which imitates or suggests the sound that the thing makes.
85
Internal Rhyme: Definition
When a line of poetry contains a rhyme within a single line.
86
Slant Rhyme: Definition
When a poet creates a rhyme, but the two words do not rhyme exactly – they are merely similar.
87
End Rhyme: Definition
When the last word of two different lines of poetry rhyme.
88
Rhyme Scheme: Definition
The pattern of a poem’s end rhymes.
89
Stressed and unstressed syllables: Definition
In every word of more than one syllable, one of the syllables is stressed, or said with more force
than the other syllable(s).
90
Meter: Definition
A regular pattern to the syllables in lines of poetry.
91
Free Verse: Definition
Poetry that doesn’t have much meter or rhyme.
92
Iambic Pentameter: Definition
Poetry that is written in lines of 10 syllables, alternating stressed and unstressed syllables.
93
Sonnet: Definition
A 14 line poem written in iambic pentameter. Usually divided into three quatrains and a couplet.
94
Aristotle's Rhetorical Triangle: Definition
The relationships, in any piece of writing,
between the writer, the audience, and the
subject.
95
Appositive: Definition
A word or group of words placed beside a noun or noun substitute to supplement its
meaning.
96
Clause: Definition
A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.
97
Balanced Sentence: Definition
A sentence in which two parallel elements are set off against each
other like equal weights on a scale. Both parts are parallel grammatically.
98
Compound Sentence: Definition
Contains at least two independent clauses but no dependent
| clauses.
99
Complex Sentence: Definition
Contains only one independent clause and at least one dependent
clause.
100
Cumulative Sentence: Definition
When the writer begins with an
| independent clause, then adds subordinate elements.
101
Periodic Sentence: Definition
When the main idea is not completed until the end of the sentence.
102
Simple Sentence: Definition
Contains only one independent clause
103
Declarative Sentence: Definition
Sentence that states an idea.
104
Imperative Sentence: Definition
Sentence that issues a command
105
Interrogative Sentence: Definition
Sentences incorporating interrogative pronouns (what, which,
| who, whom, and whose).
106
Litotes: Definition
a particular form of understatement, generated by denying the opposite of the statement
which otherwise would be used.
107
Premises: Definition
Statements offered as reasons to support a conclusion
108
Conclusion: Definition
End result of the argument – the main point being made.
109
Ethos (credibility): Definition
Being convinced by the credibility of the author.
110
Pathos (emotional): Definition
Persuading by appealing to the reader's emotions.
111
Logos (logical): Definition
persuading by the use of reasoning, using true premises and valid arguments.
112
Ad Hominem: Definition
Personally attacking your opponents instead of their
| arguments.
113
Appeal to Authority: Definition
The claim that because somebody famous supports an idea, the idea must be right.
114
Appeal to the Bandwagon: Definition
The claim, as evidence for an idea, that many people believe it, or used to believe it, or do it.
115
Appeal to Emotion: Definition
An attempt to replace a logical argument with an appeal to the audience’s emotions.
116
Bad Analogy: Definition
Claiming that two situations are highly similar, when they aren't.
117
Cliche Thinking: Definition
Using as evidence a well-known saying, as if it is proven, or as if it has no exceptions.
118
False Cause: Definition
Assuming that because two things happened, the first one caused the second one.
119
Hasty Generalization: Definition
A generalization based on too little or unrepresentative data.
120
Non Sequitur: Definition
A conclusion that does not follow from its premises; an invalid argument.
121
Slippery Slope: Definition
The assumption that once started, a situation will continue to its most extreme possible outcome.
122
Active Voice: Effect
This is a more direct and preferred style of
| writing
123
Allusion: Effect
Can provide further meaning to a text or make an iconic comment
124
Alter-ego: Effect
Allows the author to speak their thoughts
125
Anecdote: Effect
inserted into fictional or non
| fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.
126
Antecedent: Effect
Allows the reader to know what pronouns are reffering to
127
Classicism: Effect
Text focuses more on science and reason
128
Comic Relief: Effect
Lightens the mood in a serious story
129
Diction: Effect
Word choices can have an effect on the meaning of a text
130
Colloquial: Effect
Feels like a conversation and makes text more engaging
131
Connotation: Effect
Affect how the reader feels by using words
132
Denotation: Effect
Used for meaning and can be used for objective writing
133
Jargon: Effect
Used to convey hidden meaning in the field the jargon is used in
134
Vernacular: Effect
Can be used to develop a character or setting
135
Didactic: Effect
Inform or instruct a reader in moral or political lessons
136
Adage: Effect
Expresses a general fact or truth about life
137
Allegory: Effect
Can be used to explain an idea or principle
138
Aphorism: Effect
Impart sense and wisdom
139
Ellipsis: Effect
Used for dramatic effect or getting to a point
140
Euphemism: Effect
Can be used for humor or political correctness
141
Figurative Language: Effect
Help readers visualize and engage in a text
142
Analogy: Effect
Builds a connection between pairs of variables
143
Hyperbole: Effect
Can evoke strong feelings or be used for comedic effect
144
Idiom: Effect
Can amplify messages or describe them in a creative way
145
Metaphor: Effect
Can create a verbal picture that helps the reader see ideas
146
Metonymy: Effect
Creates vivid images
147
Synecdoche: Effect
Emphasizes the quality of the subject
148
Simile: Effect
Makes a direct comparison
149
Synesthesia: Effect
Creates vivid imagery and meaning
150
Personification: Effect
Lets readers connect to objects or make descriptions more vivid
151
Foreshadowing: Effect
Creates suspense or convey information about future events
152
Genre: Effect
Lets readers understand what type of elements are in a story
153
Gothic: Effect
Creates feelings of fear and dread in the reader.
154
Imagery: Effect
Creates a picture in the reader's mind.
155
Situational Irony: Effect
Can create humor in a situation
156
Juxtaposition: Effect
Can make a point using comparison
157
Mood: Effect
Creates atmosphere
158
Motif: Effect
Contributes to the development of the theme
159
Oxymoron: Effect
Adds complexity
160
Pacing: Effect
Determines how fast a story moves
161
Paradox: Effect
Makes the reader look at an idea in a more innovative way
162
Parallelism: Effect
adds emphasis, organization, or sometimes pacing to writing.
163
Anaphora: Effect
helps make the writer's point more
| coherent.
164
Chiasmus: Effect
make a significant point or quote or to balance sentences
165
Antithesis: Effect
achieves a contrasting effect
166
Zuegma (Syllepsis): Effect
creates witty or comical effect
167
Parenthetical Idea: Effect
Adds clarity or sets off dates and numbers
168
Parody: Effect
Pokes fun at something for humor
169
Persona: effect
Gives readers insight into the author's ideas or beliefs.
170
Poetic device: Effect
Appeals to senses
171
Alliteration: Effect
focuses readers' attention on a particular section of text
172
Assonance: Effect
grab the reader's attention and make something intriguing thing that can be remembered for a long time.
173
Onomatopoeia: Effect
add excitement, action, and interest
174
Internal rhyme: Effect
employed to heighten the poem's effects
175
Slant rhyme: Effect
create a certain rhythm to a poem without using direct rhyme
176
End rhyme: Effect
give musical effect to the poem or song
177
Rhyme Scheme: Effect
helps make a poem musical
178
Meter: Effect
helps set the pace to support the underlying tone
179
Free Verse: Effect
frees a poem from formal constraints
180
Iambic pentameter: Effect
a way to add rhythm to the poem in one specific way
181
Polysyndeton: Effect
used to slow down the pace of the writing and/or add an authoritative tone.
182
Pun: Effect
Used for humor
183
Rhetoric: Effect
Increases effect of writing and persuasion
184
Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle: Effect
Provoke thought or grab attention
185
Sarcasm: Effect
Creates a bitter and mocking tone
186
Satire: Effect
Humorous effect
187
Sentence: Effect
Displays a complete thought
188
Appositive: Effect
Supplements meaning
189
Clause: Effect
Expresses a thought
190
Sonnet: Effect
Contain strong emotions
191
Rhetorical Question: Effect
Adds emphasis or impact
192
Romanticism: Effect
Creates focus on idealistic or unrealistic views of the world and nature
193
Balanced Structure: Effect
Makes an idea easy to remember
194
Compound sentence: Effect
Add detail to a simple sentence
195
Complex sentence: Effect
Join two ideas
196
Cumulative sentence: Effect
Refine the main idea of a sentence
197
Periodic sentence: Effect
Emphasizes the main idea of a sentence
198
Simple sentence: Effect
Can be short to make a point or add haste
199
Declarative sentence: Effect
Gives information
200
Imperative sentence: Effect
Displays a command
