Syntax
a set of rules that applies to language
Isocolon-balanced syntax
involves a succession of sentences, phrases and clauses of
grammatically equal length. Has a parallel structure that is made up of words, clauses or phrases
of equal length, sound, meter, and rhythm. The repetition of similar grammatical forms.
Diction
style of writing determined by word choice
Voice
the form or a format through which narrators tell their stories
Theme
the main idea the author is trying to show through his/her literary work
Stream of Consciousness
a person's thoughts and conscious reactions to events, perceived as a
continuous flow
Images
the use of figurative language to represent objects, actions, and ideas
Sentence Structure
How a sentence is organized, affects reader's attitude
Parentheses
used to whisper a witty aside to the reader
Dash
a sentence interrupter used to announce a series, or elaborate on a previously stated
general idea
Hyphen
used to join compound words that are thought of as one and divide a word that breaks
at the end of a line
Colon
used to announce
Semicolon
used to separate different but related sentences
Parallelism
the repetition of similar beginning to create balanced expressions.
Prepositions
used to interrupt or end a sentence with lively description
Appositive
a noun, set off by double commas or dashes, that renames the subject
Conjunction
connects parts of sentences
Participle Phrases
phrases beginning with a word ending in "ing." Ex. "Soaking up the earlyspring
sunshine.
Absolute Phrases
made of nouns or pronouns followed by a participle and any modifiers of the
noun or pronoun. Contains a subject and no predicate. Usually used to modify an entire sentence.
Cumulative Sentences/ Loose Sentence
a sentence in which the emendations are added after
the main clause is completed. Ex. "I could live two days in a den, curled, leaning on mouse fur,
sniffing bird bones, blinking...
Periodic Sentence
a sentence in which the emendations are added before the main clause. The
inverse of a cumulative sentence.
Stung-along Sentence
a sentence in which the emendation are added in the middle, separating
the main clause into two parts. Ex. "Our society, both as a country and internationally, has
prejudices, preconceptions, narrow-mindedness, intolerance, and even blatant bigotry- that
Repetition
a literary device where ideas and words are repeated, to create rhythm and emphasis.
Ex. "Government of the people, by the people, for the people...
Declarative
sentence containing a formal, positive, or implicit statement or affirmation. Ex.
"Last December, 292,000 jobs were added to America's work force.
Imperative
gives a request or command. Ex. "I want that speech done by tomorrow.
Interrogative
gives a direct question. Ex. "Can someone get me coffee?
Exclamatory
a sentence that exclaims, shows emotion.
Simple Subject
the main word or word group that tells whom or what the sentence is about
Complete Subject
consists of all the words that tell whom or what a sentence is about
Compound Subject
consists of two or more simple subjects
Modifier
words that change or add meaning to another word
Phrase
a small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit, typically forming a
component of a clause. Lacks a subject, predicate, or both
Antimetabole/Chiasmus
repeating a phrase in reverse order
Appositive Phrase
renames the noun that it accompanies
Clich�
a well known expression that is overused and unoriginal
Clause
a unit of grammatical organization next below the sentence in rank and in traditional
grammar said to consist of a subject and predicate
Independent Clause/ Main Clause
a complete thought/sentence
Dependent Clause/ Subordinate Clause
provides the independent clause with more
information, but cannot stand alone as a sentence
Subordinate conjunctions
begins subordinate clauses
Noun Clause
subordinate clause that acts as a noun
Simple Sentence
one subject + one verb. Only one complete thought/ independent clause.
Compound Sentence
contains two or more independent clauses, connected by a conjunction
Complex Sentence
contains one independent clause and two or more dependent clauses.
Compound-Complex Sentence
contains two independent clauses and one or more dependent
clause.
Indirect Object
a noun or pronoun that tell to whom or for whom the action of the verb is done
Direct Object
a noun or pronoun that comes after the action verb in a sentence. Tells who or
what receives the action of the verb.
Subject Pronoun
used as the subject of the sentence (I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they)
Object Pronoun
used as a direct or indirect object, or as an object of a preposition (me, you,
him, her, it, us, you, them)
Nominative case noun
one of the grammatical cases of a noun or other part of speech, which
generally marks the subject of a verb or the predicate noun or predicate adjective
Possessive case noun
shows ownership or association
Juxtaposition
a rhetorical device where unassociated ideas, words, or phrases are accompany
one another, to create wit and surprise. Ex. Simple but significant. Bad for the common good.
Basic order of a sentence
arranging a sentence so the subject comes before the predicate
subject.
Inverted order of a sentence
a sentence where the predicate comes before the subject. Inverse
of basic order.
Split order of a sentence
divides the predicate into two parts with the subject in middle of the
sentence.
Rhetoric
technique of using language effectively and persuasively
Rhetorical Question
used to draw the reader's attention to a point. Expects no answer, but can
have the reader question what they believe, to prepare them for a new idea.
Rhetorical Fragment
a sentence fragment used to create a desired effect
Hyperbole
exaggeration used for a desired effect
Oxymoron
when two contradicting ideas are joined
Metaphor
comparing unlike things without using like or as
Simile
a comparison between unlike things using like or as
Colloquial
used in ordinary or familiar conversation. How you speak to your friends
Informal
of or denoting a style of writing to or conversational speech characterized by simple
grammatical structures, familiar vocabulary, and use of idioms.
Literary
associated with literary works or other formal writing; having a marked style intended
to create a particular emotional effect
Vulgar
common language, lacks sophistication
Euphonious
pleasing to hear
Cacophonous
involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds
Abstract
denoting an idea, quality, or state rather than a concrete object.
Denotation
literal, dictionary meaning of a word
Connotative
refers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it
describes explicitly
Euphemism
indirect expressions that replace harsh and impolite words Ex. Barf < Vomit
Anaphora
the repetition of the same word(s) at the beginning of successive clauses
Concrete
denoting a material object as opposed to an abstract quality, state, or action. Specific
Ellipsis
Ellipsis is a literary device that is used in narratives to omit some parts of a sentence or
event, which gives the reader a chance to fill the gaps while acting or reading it out. It is usually
written between the sentences as "...".
Polysyndeton
a stylistic device in which several coordinating conjunctions are used in
succession in order to achieve an artistic effect
Asyndeton
a deliberate omission of conjunctions in a series of related clauses
Consonance
repetitive consonant sounds in the middle of a word within a sentence
Assonance
when two or more words close to one another repeat the same vowel sound in the
middle of a word but start with different consonant sounds
Onomatopoeia
sounds written as words Ex. BOOM! BAM! POP!
Alliteration
repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of each word
Euphony
the use of words and phrases that are distinguished as having a wide range of
noteworthy melody or loveliness in the sounds they create
Pun
a play on words
Paradox
contradicts itself, yet still seems to hold true
Allegory
a symbolism device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract, concept is
conveyed with the aid of a more corporeal object or idea being used as an example
Implicit
hidden or implied
Explicit
clearly stated