The assigning of human qualities to inanimate objects or concepts. An example: Wordsworth's "the sea that bares her bosom to the moon."

the presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by phrase, clause, or paragraphs. "To be or not to be . . ." "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times . . ." "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country . . ."

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."

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.

. a figure of speech that utilizes a part as representative of the whole. "All hands on deck" is an example.

a figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement

repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer's point more coherent.

the pleasant, mellifluous presentation of sounds in a literary work.

a term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name" __ is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. For example: a news release that claims "The White House declared" rather than "The President declared"

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.

a figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum.

harsh and discordant sounds in a line or passage in a literary word.

a direct comparison between dissimilar things. "Your eyes are stars" is an example.

generally, anything that represents, stands for, something else. Usually, a ___ is something concrete—such as an object, action, character, or scene—that represents something more abstract.

an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

the opposite of exaggeration. It is a technique for developing irony and/or humor where one writes or says less than intended.

This term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, __ uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, or olfactory. For example, a rose may present visual __ while also representing the color in a woman's cheeks.

a more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable. "He went to his final reward" is a common __ for "he died." They are also used to obscure the reality of the situation.

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.

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true.

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.

The repetition of initial consonant sounds, such as "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."

The use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme. Hemingway begins The Sun Also Rises with two. One of them is "You are all a lost generation" by Gertrude Stein.

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. The independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. The effect is to add emphasis and structural variety.

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.

an appeal based on the character of the speaker. An __-driven document relies on the reputation of the author.

a type of irony in which events turn out the opposite of what was expected.

Repetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity.

an appeal based on emotion.

an appeal based on logic or reason

In this type of irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's true meaning

A story or brief episode told by the writer or a character to illustrate a point.

Language describing ideas and qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places.

the literal or dictionary meaning of a word

Sentence which begins with the main idea and then expands on that idea with a series of details or other particulars

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

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

the interpretive level or a word based on its associated images rather than its literal meaning.

The duplication, either exact or approximate, or any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.

The grammatical structure of prose and poetry.

Repetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity

A single assertion or a series of assertions presented and defended by the writer

A reference contained in a work

refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.

a literary device employed to serve as a basis for comparison. It is assumed that what applies to the parallel situation also applies to the original circumstance. In other words, it is the comparison between two different items.

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

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.

When a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text.

The purpose of this rhetorical mode is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.

Indicated by a series of three periods, the __ indicates that some material has been omitted from a given text.

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.

writing whose purpose is to instruct or to teach. A ___ work is usually formal and focuses on moral or ethical concerns.

The purpose of this type of rhetorical mode is to tell the story or narrate an event or series of events.

the use of slang in writing, often to create local color and to provide an informal tone. Huckleberry Finn in written in a __ style.

the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers.

an evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.

The sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition.

Arrangement of repeated thoughts in the pattern of X Y Y X. It is often short and summarizes a main idea.

a situation in which all parts of the presentation are equal, whether in sentences or paragraphs or sections of a longer work.

Similar to mood, __ describes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both.

the recreation of regional spoken language, such as a Southern one. Hurston uses this in Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Commas used (with no conjunction) to separate a series of words. The parts are emphasized equally when the conjunction is omitted; in addition, the use of commas with no intervening conjunction speeds up the flow of the sentence. X, Y, Z as opposed to X, Y, and Z.

In modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. Usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement.

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.

the author's choice of words that creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning

Deliberate use of many conjunctions in close succession, especially where some might be omitted. Hemingway and the Bible both use extensively. Ex. "he ran and jumped and laughed for joy"

A writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels.

Placement of two things closely together to emphasize comparisons or contrasts