Literacy Vocabulary

Acronym

Formed from the initial letters of each of the successive parts

Allegory

the expression of symbolic fictional figures and action of truths generation about human existence

Alliteration

the repetition of constant sounds in words that are close to one another

Allusion

an implied or indirect reference especially in literature

Ambience

a feeling or mood associated with a particular place, person, or thing

Ambiguity

the quality of being uncertain in meaning

Analogy

point by point comparison between two things for the purpose of clarifying the less familiar

Anecdote

a brief story that forces on a single episode or event in a person's life and that is used to illustrate a particular point

Articulation

expressing oneself readily, clearly or effectively

Artifact

something created by humans for a particular purpose; object remaining from a particular time period

Assonance

a repitition of vowel sounds within words

Ballad

a narrative poem that was originally meant to be sung

Bandwagon

a popular trend that attracts growing support

Bias

an inclination of temperament or outlooks

Censorship

practice of examining materials for objectionable matter

Idiom

an expression that has a meaning different from the usual meaning different from usual meanings of the individuals

Hyperbole

figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect

Fallacy

a false or mistaken idea; deceptive appearance

Cliche

an overused expression that has lost its freshness, force and appeal

Parody

Writing that imitates either the style or the subject matter of a literary work for purpose of criticism or humorous effect of for flattering tribute

Oxymoron

brings together two contradictory terms

Theme

central point or ideas the writer intends to share with the reader; most themes are not obvious and must be inferred by the reader

Euphemism

substitution of an inoffensive term for one considered offensively explicit

Onomatopoeia

process of creating or using words that imitates sounds

Bylaw

a rule adopted by an organization in order to regulate its own affairs and behavior

Semantics

the study of language meaning

Anachronism

the incorporation of an event, scene, or person who does not correspond with the time period portrayed in the work

Epigram

the ingenious, witty, thoughtful, provacative statement ending a short poem, in which the author provides the substance for the conclusion

Bombast

the use of ludicrous, commonplace speech or writing

Irony

a form of expression in which the meaning intended is the opposite from what is stated

Aphorism

a brief statement, usually one sentence long, that expresses a general principle or truth about life