Unit 2: Reviews Flashcards
(31 cards)
Anecdote
A short, personal story.
Asyndetic listing
A list which uses commas to separate items e.g. he loved basketball, tennis, soccer and swimming
Diction
The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.
Direct address
Using second personal pronouns such as ‘you’
Dysphemism
A derogatory or unpleasant term used instead of a pleasant or neutral one.
Emotive language
Usually adjectives that are loaded and describe how someone feels about something e.g. atrocious, outrageous, fabulous.
Euphemism
The technique of referring to sensitive subjects in indirect terms e.g. I need to use the ladies’ room [i.e. go to the loo]
Figurative language
Language which makes use of figures of speech or devices (such as metaphor, personification etc.) as opposed to literal language e.g. I launched myself over the fence = figurative whereas I jumped over the fence = literal.
Hyperbole
Language that is exaggerated or overdone e.g. This apple crumble has a magnificence that is unparalleled in the history of cooking.
Hypophora
When a writer raises a question and then immediately provides the answer.
Imagery
Description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste); usually the ‘image’ makes the reader associate the object described with something else.
Metaphor
The technique of describing an object or action in terms which do not literally or strictly apply to it - usually involves an implied comparison e.g. Thoughts circled and gathered in my mind as time’s shadow crept nearer.
Parallelism
Parallelism is the repetition of grammatical elements in writing and speech. Other techniques such as anaphora can also fall under the umbrella of parallelism. Example: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Personification
The technique of giving human qualities to objects, ideas, etc. e.g. the kettle screamed impatiently for attention. [kettle given human attributes of impatience, and the ability to scream - not literally possible for a kettle]
Polysyndetic Listing
A list which uses conjunctions such as ‘and’ or ‘or’ between items e.g. he loved football and tennis and soccer.
Pun
A joke that exploits the different meanings of a word
Repitition
When a word, phrase, idea or sentence construction is repeated.
Semantic field
A set of words about the same subject or topic. For example, cash, payment, banker, owe, debt, etc, are all linked to the semantic field of finance.
Sibilance
Repeated use of the ‘s’ sound (though not necessarily the letter) e.g. slums, sewers and cisterns
Simile
Like a metaphor, except that the comparison is explicit, usually introduced by the word ‘as’ or ‘like’ e.g. Thoughts circled and gathered like vultures in my mind; time crept towards me as slowly as a shadow.
Symbolism
The use of an object to represent or stand for something else E.g. a dove symbolises peace, a rose symbolises love, etc.
Tricolon
When three things are linked or something is repeated three times for emphasis
Tone
The prevailing mood in a piece of writing, created by the language E.g. the lampposts danced along the street, and the shadows played hide and seek in the doorways. [the tone here might be described as playful, joyful, lively, fascinated, child-like, etc.]
Active Voice
This means that the subject of the verb is the thing doing what the verb says e.g. The glacier erodes the valley.
