Saturday, October 3, 2009

Linguistics and Writing Systems

acronym

word formed from successive initials or groups of letters, as NATO

analogy

comparison between like features of two things that are otherwise dissimilar

antonym

word of opposite meaning

colloquial

appropriate to casual rather than formal speech or writing

dialect

pronunciation or words peculiar to an area

dictionary

resource that lists the words of a language with their meanings

idiom

expression peculiar to a language

jargon

vocabulary meaningful only to a particular profession or group

semantics

the study of meaning in language

synonym

word meaning the same as another

syntax

the arrangement of words into sentences and phrases

theme

short essay; subject of discussion or art

vernacular

language used locally or in everyday speech

See all »

Literary Characters and Practitioners

antagonist

adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama or other literary work

archetype

original pattern or model

character

person in a novel, play, etc.

hero

the main typically male character in a story, play, etc.

heroine

main female character in a story, play, etc.

muse

the inspiration motivating a poet, artist, etc.

protagonist

the main character

pseudonym

fictitious name used by an author to conceal his or her identity; pen name

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Literature Devices, Techniques, and Elements

alliteration

repetition of the same sound at the beginning of two or more words

allusion

a passing or casual reference to a person, place, or literary work

anachronism

thing that belongs to a time period other than that in which it is placed

antithesis

contrast; direct opposite

assonance

similarity of sound in words or syllables

cacophony

harsh, discordant sound

catharsis

the release of the emotions, as through art

cliche

trite expression

climax

decisive moment in a plot

content

the subjects in a book, document, etc.

context

what comes before or follows a word or statement and influences its meaning

dialogue

conversation between two or more people

epithet

descriptive term

genre

class or category of artistic work

hubris

excessive pride

hyperbole

obvious exaggeration

imagery

mental images collectively

irony

the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning

juxtaposition

placing expressions or ideas close together, for comparison or contrast

metaphor

word or phrase applied to an object or concept in order to suggest comparison

meter

the rhythmic element in music and poetry

monologue

talk by a single speaker

motif

recurring subject or theme

narrative

story or account of events

onomatopoeia

the formation of a word by the imitation of a sound

pathos

the quality or power of arousing pity

personification

attributing a human character or quality to an animal, idea, or thing

plot

the main story of a novel, play, etc.

refrain

recurring passage in a song or poem

setting

the locale and period of a story, play, etc.

soliloquy

speech in a play in which a character speaks as if alone

stanza

division of a poem

symbol

thing that represents something else

synopsis

brief summary

See all »

Literature Schools, Styles, and Forms

elegy

mournful or melancholy poem

epic

long poem or story describing heroic deeds

farce

light comedy

myth

legendary story, person, etc.

novel

long fictional narrative

parody

comic imitation of a literary or musical work

prose

ordinary language as distinguished from verse

rhyme

agreement in the end sounds of lines or words

satire

the use of irony or ridicule in exposing vice, folly, etc.

sonnet

poem of 14 lines

tragedy

serious drama with an unhappy ending

See all »

Rhetoric and Figures of Speech

allegory

story in which characters and actions are symbols for ideas

ambiguity

doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention

anecdote

short true story

aphorism

brief maxim

connotation

associated meanings of a word in addition to its explicit or dictionary definition

denotation

explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a word or expression

diatribe

bitter, abusive denunciation

diction

style of speaking or writing

discourse

formal discussion of a subject

euphemism

mild expression substituted for one thought to be offensive

exposition

writing or speech primarily intended to convey information or to explain

hypothesis

proposition set forth as an explanation of something

innuendo

indirect, usually disparaging, remark

oxymoron

figure of speech that uses seeming contradictions

paradox

statement that seems self-contradictory

pun

humorous use of words alike in sound but different in meaning

rhetoric

the skillful use of language

sarcasm

scornful, ironic language

simile

phrase comparing two things using 'like' or 'as'

synecdoche

figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or vice versa (as 'law' for 'police')

thesis

proposition to be proved; lengthy essay

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