5 Steps Glossary Section 2

Front 1

Denotation

Back 1

the literal or dictionary meaning of a word

Front 2

Dialect

Back 2

the recreation of regional spoken language, such as a Southern dialect. "Their Eyes"

Front 3

Diction

Back 3

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

Front 4

Didactic

Back 4

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

Front 5

Discourse

Back 5

a discussion on a specific topic.

Front 6

Ellipsis

Back 6

indicated by a series of three periods, the ellipsis indicates that some material has been omitted from a given text It could be a word, a phrase, a sentence, a paragraph, or a whole section. Be wary of the ellipsis; it could obscure the real meaning of the piece of writing.

Front 7

Epigraph

Back 7

the use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme.

Front 8

Euphemism

Back 8

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 euphemism for "he died." Often used to obscure the reality of a situation. "Collateral damage" - civilian deaths.

Front 9

Euphony

Back 9

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

Front 10

Exposition

Back 10

background information presented in a literary work.

Front 11

Extended Metaphor

Back 11

a sustained comparison, often referred to as a conceit. Developed throughout a piece of writing.

Front 12

Figurative Language

Back 12

the body of devices that enables the writer to operate on levels other than the literal one. it includes metaphor, simile, symbol, motif, and hyperbole, etc.

Front 13

Flashback

Back 13

a device that enables a writer to refer to past thoughts, events, or episodes

Front 14

Form

Back 14

the shape or structure of a literary work

Front 15

Hyperbole

Back 15

extreme exaggeration, often humorous, it can also be ironic; opposite of understatement

Front 16

Image

Back 16

a verbal approximation of a sensory impression, concept, or emotion

Front 17

Imagery

Back 17

the total effect of related sensory images in a work of literature

Front 18

Induction

Back 18

the process that moves from a given series of specifics to a generalization

Front 19

Inference

Back 19

a conclusion one can draw from the presented details

Front 20

Invective

Back 20

a verbally abusive attack