antecedent
the word the pronoun refers to or replaces
parallelism
grammatically similar syntax
zeugma
A construction in which one word governs the meaning of two other words but makes literal sense with only one of them
syntax
sentence structure
denotation
dictionary definition
refutation/rebuttal
an attack on a counterargument
generalization
a statement accepted as true for the purposes of logic
polysyndeton
multiple conjunctions in a sentence
thesis
the central point or contention of an essay; an "umbrella" sentence
paradox
seemingly contradictory statement that contains some truth
antithesis
opposition; contrast; direct opposite
anecdote
a short account of a particular interesting incident or event
analogy
comparing two subjects that are inherently dissimilar
periodic sentence
main clause at the end
hyperbole/overstatement
to exaggerate
connotation
an additional sense or emotional feeling conveyed by a word
assonance
repetition of vowel sounds
euphemism
substitution of a mild phrase for one offensive or blunt
ethos
appeal to the author's credibility
logos
appeal to logic
pathos
appeal to the audience's emotion
double entendre
a phrase with two meanings, the second risque
onomatopoeia
word that imitates the sound made by it
narrative
a story or account of events, often marked by the passage of time
tone
the author's attitude toward the subject
satire
a literary work where irony or wit is used to make a more serious point
exhortation
conveys urgent advice or recommendation
simile
comparison between two things using the words "like" or "as
juxtaposition
placing of two elements together to heighten contrast
oxymoron
a phrase that contradicts itself
allusion
an indirect reference to something outside the literary work
alliteration
repetition of consonant sounds
diction
word choice
allegory
a literary work that parallels another event
epithet
a term used to characterize the nature of a person or thing, such as Alexander "the Great
emphasis
the ways an author makes something emphatic: position, proportion, repetition
cumulative sentence
main clause at beginning
Jeremiad
a prolonged lamentation or complaint, based on the Biblical book
figurative language
use of language to produce a literary effect or imaginative comparison
metaphor
comparison not using "like" or "as
deductive logic
uses a syllogism to prove its truth
syllogism
a form of logic showing how something fits into an accepted generalization
inductive logic
uses a pattern of observation to reach a generalization
rhetorical strategies
narration, argument/persuasion, analogy, classification, comparison/contrast
rhetorical devices
diction, tone, syntax, figurative language