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understatement
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the ironic minimalizing of fact, presents something as less significant than it is. the effect can be humorous and emphatic, opposite of hyperbole.
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metonymy
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Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name" in which one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it (crown=royalty)
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onomatapoeia
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..., The use of words that sounds mimics the sound of actions that the word means or suggests
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persuasive devices
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When asked to analyze an author's _______ _______, look for the words inthe passage that have strong connotations- words that intensify the emotional effect. In addition, analyze HOW these words complement the writer's argument as it builds logically. Speeches are often used in this context, since they are generally designed to persuade.
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rhetoric
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..., from the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principle governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.
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antithesis
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a figure of speech involving seeming contradiction of ideas, words, clauses, or sentences within a balanced grammatical structure
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euphemism
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the substitution of an expression thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt for a mild, indirect, or vague expression
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paradox
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..., A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.
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stylistic devices
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An essay that mentions ________ ________ is asking you to note and analyze all of the elemnets in language that contribute to style- such as diction, syntax, tone, attitude, figures of speech, connotations, and repetition.
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irony
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..., The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true.
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pedantic
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..., An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.
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argumentation
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..., The purpose of this rhetorical mode is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader.
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descriptive details
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the writer's sensory description-usually appeals to the visual sense.
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repetition
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..., The duplication, either exact or approximate, or any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.
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narration
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..., The purpose of this type of rhetorical mode is to tell the story or narrate an event or series of events.
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syllogism
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Greek for "reckoning together" is a deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
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figure of speech
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..., A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Examples are apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonomy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.
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diction
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choice of words especially with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness
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syntax
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the way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences; group of words as opposed to diction
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parody
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..., A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.
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rhetorical question
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..., A question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer, answer is assumed
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point of view
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..., the perspective from which a story is told
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verbal irony
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..., In this type of irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's true meaning
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didactic
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writing whose purpose is to instruct or to teach. The work is usually formal and focuses on moral or ethical concerns. This type of writing may be fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
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concrete detail
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Strictly defined, _____ _____ refers to nouns that name physical objects- a bridge, a book, or a coat. However as used in the essay portion, this term has a slightlt different connotation. The directions may read something like this, "Provide ____ ______ that will convince the reader." This means that your essay should include detail in the passage; at times, you'll be asked to provide details from your own life (reading, observaton, experience, and so forth).
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analogy
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a similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them
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predicate nominative
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..., a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject (i.e. in Abe Lincoln was a man of integrity the ___ ____ is "man of integrity" as it renames Abe Lincoln)
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rhetorical appeal
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..., the persuasive device by which a writer tries to sway the audience's attention and response to any given work.
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prose
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major division of genre, refers to nonfiction and fiction, inlcuding all its forms because it is written in ordinary language and most closely resembles everyday speech-technically anything not drama or poetry
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parallelism
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..., refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.
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figurative language
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Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.
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thesis
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the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition (in expository writing)
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subject complement
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..., the word (with any accompanying phrases) or clause that follows a linking verb and complements, or completes, the subject of the sentence by either (1) renaming it or (2) describing it. The former is technically called a predicate nominative, the latter a predicate adjective.
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symbol
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An object or action in a literary work that means more than itself, that stands for something beyond itself.
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personification
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..., a figure of speech in which a non-human subject is given human characteristics
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alliteration
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the repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (sea shells)
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sentence structure
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when an essay question asks you to analyze ______ _____, look at the types the author uses. Remember that the basics are simple, compound, and complex, and variations created with combining. Also consider variation or lack of it in length, any unusual devices in construction, such as repetition or inverted word order, and any unusual word or phrase placement. As with all devices, be prepared to discuss the effect of the structure.
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colloquialism
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slang or informality in speech or writing
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rhetorical features
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how a passage is constructed, the passage's organization and how the writer combimes images, details, and or arguments to serve their purpose
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metaphor
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..., a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without the use of such specific words of comparison as like, as, than, or resembles
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attitude
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a writer's intellectual position or emotion regarding the subject of the writing
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extended metaphor
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A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.
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inference/infer
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to draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented
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oxymoron
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..., From the Greek for "pointedly foolish," ___ is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms. Simple examples include "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness."
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allegory
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the device using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to literal meaning.
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language
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When asked to "analyze the _______," concentrate on how the elements of _____ combine to form a whole- how diction, syntax, figurative language, and sentence structure create a cumulative effect
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description
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..., The purpose of this rhetorical mode is to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so that the reader can picture that being described. Sometimes an author engages all five senses.
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rhetorical modes
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..., The flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing.
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chiasmus
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a figure of speech based on inverted parallelism. It is a rhetorical figure in which two clauses are related to each other through a reversal of terms. the purpose is usually to make a larger point or provide balance or order. (e.g. Heaven is too great of humanity; humanity is too great for heaven)
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caricature
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a respresentation (especially pictorial or literary) in which the subject's distinctive features or peculiarities are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect
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situational irony
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..., a type of irony; the difference between what is expected and what actually happens
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tone
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The attitude of the author toward his/her work, the audience, or both (e.g., serious or humorous).
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loose sentence
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..., a type of sentence in which the main idea comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses
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ambiguity
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The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.
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atmosphere
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the emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author's choice of objects that are described
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transition
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a word or phrase that links different ideas
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subordinate clause
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..., Contains a subject and verb (like all clauses) but cannot stand alone; does not express complete thought
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persuasive essay
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When asked to write this, you should present a coherent argument in which the evidence builds to a logical and relevant conclusion.
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clause
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a grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main, ______ expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate, _______ cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent ______.
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genre
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..., a major category or type of literature (basic divisions prose, poetry, and drama)
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natural symbolism
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..., use objets and occurrences from nature to represent ideas commonly associated with them
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logos
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logical reasoning, combining a clear idea (or multiple ideas) with well-thought-out and appropriate examples and details
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narrative
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..., The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.
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literary symbolism
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symbolism conventional in the sense that they are found in a variety of works and are generally recognizable
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simile
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an explicit comparison, normally using "like" "as" or "if"
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narrative devices
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the tools of the storyteller, such as ordering events so that they build to a climatic moment, or withholding information until a crucial or appropriate moment when revealing it will create a desired affect. On the essay portion of the exam this may also apply to biographies and autobiographies.
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imagery
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..., The use of language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a person, thing, place, or experience
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third-person narrator
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Uses "he" "she" and "it" It can be omniscient (all-knowing god-like) or limited omniscient (thoughts and feelings of only one character)
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antecedent
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the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers.
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homily
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..., This term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.
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generic conventions
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..., the traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for example they differentiate between and essay and journalistic writing.
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meiosis
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Greek term for belittling; a rhetoric figure by which something is referred to in terms less important than it really deserves. it describes something that is very impressive with simplicity.
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mood
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..., This term has two distinct technical meanings in English writing. The first meaning is grammatical and deals with verbal units and a speaker's attitude. The second meaning is literary, meaning the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.
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periodic sentence
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..., presents its main clause at the very end of the sentence for emphasis and sentence variety - this tends to be very formal and oratorical in style and is often meant to emphasize the idea (ecstatic with my AP scores, i let out a loud shout of joy!"
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devices
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The figures of speech, syntax, diction, and other stylistic elements that collectively produce a particular artistic effect
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narrative technique
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The style of telling the "story" even if the passage is nonfiction. Concentrate on the order of events and on their detail in evaluating a writer's technique.
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first-person narrator
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tells the storying using "I" and is a character in the story. This narrator can be the protagonist, participant (secondary role), or an observer (merely watches action).
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satire
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..., A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and convention for reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform humans or their society, ___ is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing. The effect of __, often humorous, is thought provoking and insightful about the human condition.
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exposition
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..., The purpose of this rhetorical mode is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.
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ad hominem argument
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from the latin meaning "to or against the man," this is an argument that appeals to emotion rather than reason, to feeling rather than intellect
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invective
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an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.
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apostrophe
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A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity.
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allusion;
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a direct or indirect reference to something that is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art
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aphorism
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A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principle (if authorship unknown, it is generally considered to be a folk proverb)
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predicate adjectives
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..., One type of subject complement - an adjective, group of adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb. It is in the predicate of the sentence, and modifies or describes the subject.
Example: The new house was roomy, uncluttered, and spacious.
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conceit
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a fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects
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connotation
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the nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning
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ethos
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credibility, by definition means the common attitudes, beliefs, and characteristics of a group or time period, this appeal sets up believability in the writer
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theme
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The main idea or meaning of a text. Often, this is an insight about human life revealed in a literary work
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wit
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In modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. Usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement.
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litotes
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understatement in which an affirmative is expressed indirectly by denying the opposite. used for emphasis, frequently with negative assertion.
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hyperbole
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..., figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion or to create a comic effect
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style
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The unique way an author presents his ideas: diction, syntax, imagery, structure, and content all contribute to a particular ____, also a classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors
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conventional symbolism
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symbolism that uses meaningful symbols, such as religious, national, or group symbols (ex. eagle, Star of David, skull and crossbones); invested with meaning by groups
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resources of language
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Refers to all devices of composition available to a writer: diction, syntax, sentence structure, and figures of speech
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juxtaposition
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..., placing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast
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dramatic irony
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..., In this type of irony, facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or a piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work
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denotation
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the strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.
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pathos
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plays on emotions and interest of a sympathetic audience
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sarcasm
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..., from the Greek meaning "to tear flesh," ___ involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony as a device.When done well it can be witty and insightful, when poorly done, it's simply cruel.
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