Notecards

An style (in writing) that is typically complex,
discusses intangible qualities like good and
evil, and seldom uses examples to support its
points

(of an argument or reaction) arising from or
appealing to the emotions and not reason or
logic.

A story in which each aspect of the story has a
symbolic meaning outside the tale itself.

The repetition of initial consonant sounds.

A reference to another work or famous figure.

a comparison between two things, typically on
the basis of their structure and for the purpose
of explanation or clarification.


The term “anaphora” comes from the Greek for “a carrying up or
back," and refers to a type of parallelism created when successive
phrases or lines begin with the same words, often resembling a
litany. The repetition can be as simple as a single word or as long
as an entire phrase.
“And needy nothing trimm’d in jollity,
And purest faith unhappily forsworn,
And gilded honour shamefully misplac’d,
And maiden virtue rudely strumpeted,
And right perfection wrongfully disgrac’d,
And strength by limping sway disabled
And art made tongue-tied by authority,
And folly--doctor-like--controlling skill,
And simple truth miscall’d simplicity,
And captive good attending captain ill:
Tir’d with all these, from these would I be gone,
Save that, to die, I leave my love alone.”

a short and amusing or interesting story about
a real incident or person.


a thing or event that existed before or logically
precedes another.
"some antecedents to the African novel might
exist in Africa's oral traditions"

a person or thing that is the direct opposite of
someone or something else.

In informal reasoning, the appeal to authority
is a form of argument attempting to establish a
statistical syllogism. The appeal to authority
relies on an argument of the form: A is an
authority on a particular topic. A says
something about that topic.


An argument is the main statement of a poem,
an essay, a short story, or a novel that usually
appears as an introduction or a point on which
the writer will develop his work in order to
convince his readers.
Literature does not merely entertain. It also
intends to shape the outlook of the readers.
Therefore, an argument does not intend to
serve only as an introduction but it attracts the
reader’s focus to an issue that will be made
clear gradually.

A writer's attitude toward his subject matter
revealed through diction, figurative language,
and organization.

When composing a work of fiction, the author
may or may not mention him or herself, for
example something like "I want to tell you
about a strange experience I had..." and when
an author does that, the author usually is not
being autobiographical, but has invented a
character to use as the narrator; this character is
the authorial persona, which is to say, the
identity being presented as the author.

Constructing a sentence so that both halves are
about the same length and importance.
Sentences can be unbalanced to serve a special
effect as well.


means "assuming the conclusion (of an
argument)", a type of circular reasoning. This is an
informal fallacy where the conclusion that one is
attempting to prove is included in the initial
premises of an argument, often in an indirect way
that conceals this fact.[1
The term "begging the question" originated in the
16th century as a mistranslation of Latin petitio
principii "assuming the initial point".[2] In modern
vernacular usage, "to beg the question" is
sometimes used to mean "to raise the question" (as
in "This begs the question of whether...") or "to
dodge the question".[2]

is a propaganda technique that seeks to
manipulate audience perception of an issue by
emphasizing one side and repressing
another.[1] Such emphasis may be achieved
through media bias or the use of one-sided
testimonials, or by simply censoring the voices
of critics. The technique is commonly used in
persuasive speeches by political candidates to
discredit their opponents and to make
themselves seem more worthy.[2]

An individual (usually a person) in a narrative
(usually a work of fiction or creative
nonfiction). The act of presenting a character in
writing is known as characterization.

It Is The Evidence The Author Gives To
Support His Side

1. Arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses
in an order of ascending power.


used in or characteristic of familiar and
informal conversation; also : unacceptably
informal
b : using conversational style




One common use of the colon is to introduce a
list of items. For example:
To make the perfect jam sandwich you need three
things: some bread, butter and strawberry jam.
The most common use of the semicolon is to
join together two clauses that could each be
separate sentences — creating a longer
sentence. For example:
John calls it football; Sam calls it soccer.

Language that describes qualities that can be
perceived with the five senses as opposed to
using abstract or generalized language. For
instance, calling a fruit "pleasant" or "good" is
abstract, while calling a fruit "cool" or "sweet" is
concrete. The preference for abstract or
concrete imagery varies from century to
century. Philip Sidney praised concrete
imagery in poetry in his 1595 treatise, Apologie
for Poetrie

Conditional verbs are used to create
conditional sentences. Of course, there are
other words which contribute to making a
sentence conditional, but the verb tenses are
key. The auxiliary verbs like can/could,
will/would, and might are also key. Conditional
verbs can be used in past, present or future
tense.

is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene,
or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work,
often to relieve tension.

Is an inherent incompatibility between the
objectives of two or more characters or forces.
Conflict creates tension and interest in a story
by adding doubt as to the outcome. A narrative
is not limited to a single conflict. While
conflicts may not always resolve in narrative,
the resolution of a conflict creates closure,
which may or may not occur at a story's end.

Those elements that help create coherence in
a written piece


an idea or feeling that a word invokes in
addition to its literal or primary meaning.
"the word “discipline” has unhappy
connotations of punishment and repression"



A method of reasoning from the general to the
specific.
In a deductive argument, a conclusion follows
necessarily from the stated premises. (Contrast
with induction.)
In logic, a deductive argument is called a
syllogism. In rhetoric, the equivalent of the
syllogism is the enthymeme.

Denotation is generally defined as literal or
dictionary meanings of a word in contrast to its
connotative or associated meanings.
Let us try to understand this term with the help
of an example. If you search for meaning of the
word “dove” in a dictionary, you will see that
its meaning is “a type of pigeon, a wild and
domesticated bird having a heavy body and
short legs.” In literature, however, you
frequently see “dove” referred to as a symbol
of peace.

The language used by the people of a specific
area, class, district or any other group of
people. The term dialect involves the spelling,
sounds, grammar and pronunciation used by a
particular group of people and it distinguishes
them from other people around them. Dialect is
a very powerful and common way of
characterization, which elaborates the
geographic and social background of any
character.


Diction can be defined as style of speaking or writing
determined by the choice of words by a speaker or a
writer.
Diction or choice of words separates good writing from
bad writing. It depends on a number of factors. Firstly,
the word has to be right and accurate. Secondly, words
should be appropriate to the context in which they are
used. Lastly, the choice of words should be such that
the listener or readers understand easily. Besides,
proper diction or proper choice of words is important
to get the message across. On the contrary, the wrong
choice of words can easily divert listeners or readers
which results in misinterpretation of the message
intended to be conveyed.


Didacticism is a term that refers to a particular
philosophy in art and literature that emphasizes
the idea that different forms of art and literature
ought to convey information and instructions
along with pleasure and entertainment.
The word didactic is frequently used for those
literary texts which are overloaded with
informative or realistic matter and are marked by
the omission of graceful and pleasing details.
Didactic, therefore, becomes a derogatory term
referring to the forms of literature that are
ostentatiously dull and erudite. However, some
literary texts are entertaining as well as didactic.

the dominant impression unifies and organizes
the essay. It informs the reader of the author's
angle and it creates a lens through which the
reader sees the rest of the essay.

is a figure of speech or a particular way of
wording that is devised to be understood in
either of two ways, having a double meaning.
Typically one of the interpretations is rather
obvious whereas the other is more subtle. The
more subtle of the interpretations may convey
a message that would be socially awkward,
sexually suggestive or offensive to state
directly. (The Oxford English Dictionary
describes a double entendre as being used to
"convey an indelicate meaning".)


the omission from speech or writing of a word
or words that are superfluous or able to be
understood from contextual clues.
a set of dots indicating an ellipsis.

An epigraph is a literary device in the form of a
poem, quotation or sentence usually placed at
the beginning of a document or a simple piece
having a few sentences but which belongs to
another writer. An epigraph can serve different
purposes such as it can be used as a summary,
introduction, an example, or an association
with some famous literary works, so as to draw
comparison or to generate a specific context to
be presented in the piece.

is a Greek word meaning "character" that is
used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals
that characterize a community, nation, or
ideology. The Greeks also used this word to
refer to the power of music to influence its
hearer's emotions, behaviours, and even
morals.

a mild or indirect word or expression
substituted for one considered to be too harsh
or blunt when referring to something
unpleasant or embarrassing.

The literary device euphony is derived from
the Greek word “euphonos” that means sweetvoiced. It can be defined as the use of words
and phrases that are distinguished as having a
wide range of noteworthy melody or loveliness
in the sounds they create. It gives pleasing and
soothing effects to the ears due to repeated
vowels and smooth consonants. It can be used
with other literary devices like alliteration,
assonance and rhyme to create more melodic
effects. Examples of euphony are commonly
found in poetry and literary prose.

If something is an evocation, it is something
that evokes an action etc, - a calling forth
usually a spirit or calling forth old memories

Exposition is a literary device used to introduce
background information about events, settings,
characters etc. to the audience or readers. The
word comes from the Latin language and its
literal meaning is “a showing forth.”
Exposition is crucial to any story, for without it
nothing makes sense.

also known as a conceit or sustained metaphor,
is when an author exploits a single metaphor
or analogy at length through multiple linked
vehicles, tenors, and grounds.

uses words or expressions with a meaning that
is different from the literal interpretation.
When a writer uses literal language, he or she
is simply stating the facts as they are.

interruptions that writers do to insert past
events in order to provide background or
context to the current events of a narrative. By
using flashbacks, writers allow their readers to
gain insight into a character’s motivation and
provide a background to a current conflict.
Dream sequences and memories are methods
used to present flashbacks.

What the eye is drawn to first when you view
an image. By making an object the focal point,
you’re highlighting its importance.

he "shape" or organizational mode of a
particular poem. In most poems (like
sonnets), the form consists of a set number of
lines, a set rhyme scheme, and a set meter for
each line. In concrete poetry, the form of a
poem may reflect the theme, topic, or idea of
the words in the actual shape of the text on a
piece of paper. In the free verse or open-form
poetry common to the modernist and
postmodernist movements, the rigid
constraints of form are often discarded in
order to achieve a variety of effects.

the abstraction of a general idea, principle, or
pattern from the observation of particular
objects, events, or experiences. A statement
that is broad enough to cover or describe
characteristics that are common to a variety of
particular objects, events, or experiences.
Example: We generalize that a person is honest
if, under a variety of specific circumstances and
temptations, he or she behaves in an honorable
manner.

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to
be taken literally.

Directly related to imagery. The image that is
described by the author.

means to use figurative language to represent
objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it
appeals to our physical senses.

is known as a conclusion reached through
reasoning. An inductive statement is derived
using facts and instances which lead to the
formation of a general opinion. Though all the
facts upon which the conclusion is based are
true, there is still a chance of the conclusion
reached being false. This type of reasoning goes
from specific facts to a general statement.

is a literary device used commonly in literature
and in daily life where logical deductions are
made based on premises assumed to be true.
Another definition of inference suggests that it
is rational but non-logical, which means that
through the observation of facts presented in a
particular pattern, one ultimately sees different
or new interpretations and perspectives.

Verbally abusive attack

is a literary technique in which two or more
ideas, places, characters and their actions are
placed side by side in a narrative or a poem for
the purpose of developing comparisons and
contrasts.


the expression of one's meaning by using
language that normally signifies the opposite,
typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
Situational, Dramatic, Verbal

The study of the nature, structure, and
variation of language, including phonetics,
phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics,
sociolinguistics, and pragmatics.


Litotes, derived from a Greek word meaning
“simple”, is a figure of speech which employs an
understatement by using double negatives or, in
other words, positive statement is expressed by
negating its opposite expressions.
For example, using the expression “not too bad”
for “very good” is an understatement as well as a
double negative statement that confirms a positive
idea by negating the opposite. Similarly, saying
“She is not a beauty queen,” means “She is ugly”
or saying “I am not as young as I used to be” in
order to avoid saying “I am old”. Litotes, therefore,
is an intentional use of understatement that
renders an ironical effect.


the science that investigates the principles
governing correct or reliable inference.
2. a particular method of reasoning or
argumentation: We were unable to follow his
logic.

refers to words, phrases, and overall verbal and
written communication that is intended to
inspire emotion in the reader or listener. This
usage of language to appeal to emotion is used
in everyday conversation and is often used by
politicians, public figures, advertisers and
corporations.

A formal fallacy is a pattern of reasoning that
is always wrong. This is due to a flaw in the
logical structure of the argument which
renders the argument invalid. The presence of
a formal fallacy in a deductive argument does
not imply anything about the argument's
premises or its conclusion.

is a literary device that can be defined as a
statement, sentence or argument used to
convince or persuade the targeted audience by
employing reason or logic. In everyday life,
arguments depend upon pathos and ethos
besides logos. Logos mostly employs the
utilization of inductive and deductive
reasoning methods to be effective. There are
many examples of logos in literature and in
debates.

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is
applied to an object or action to which it is not
literally applicable.

the substitution of the name of an attribute or
adjunct for that of the thing meant, for example
suit for business executive, or the track for horse
racing.

in literature and drama, an extended speech by
one person. The term has several closely
related meanings. A dramatic monologue is
any speech of some duration addressed by a
character to a second person. A soliloquy is a
type of monologue in which a character
directly addresses an audience or speaks his
thoughts aloud while alone or while the other
actors keep silent. In fictional literature, an
interior monologue is a type of monologue that
exhibits the thoughts, feelings, and associations
passing through a character’s mind.

is a recurrent image, idea or a symbol that
develops or explains a theme while a theme is a
central idea or message.

a person who narrates something, especially a
character who recounts the events of a novel or
narrative poem.

may be most evident when the space around a
subject, and not the subject itself, forms an
interesting or artistically relevant shape, and
such space is occasionally used to artistic effect
as the "real" subject of an image


: an inference that does not follow from the
premises; specifically : a fallacy resulting from a
simple conversion of a universal affirmative
proposition or from the transposition of a
condition and its consequent
: a statement (as a response) that does not
follow logically from or is not clearly related to
anything previously said

the formation of a word from a sound
associated with what is named (e.g., cuckoo,
sizzle ).

Pacing, as it applies to fiction, could be
described as the manipulation of time. Though
pacing is often overlooked and misunderstood
by beginning writers, it is one of the key craft
elements a writer must master to produce good
fiction.

a short allegorical story designed to illustrate
or teach some truth, religious principle, or
moral lesson. a statement or comment that
conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of
comparison, analogy, or the like.

is the use of components in a sentence that are
grammatically the same; or similar in their
construction, sound, meaning or meter.
Parallelism examples are found in literary
works as well as in ordinary conversations.

is from the Greek word “paradoxon” that
means contrary to expectations, existing belief
or perceived opinion. It is a statement that
appears to be self-contradictory or silly but
may include a latent truth.

a work in which the style of an author is closely
imitated for comic effect or in ridicule.

The quality or power in an actual life
experience or in literature, music, speech, or
other forms of expression, of evoking a feeling
of pity or compassion.

an adjective that describes words, phrases or
general tone that is overly scholarly,academic
or bookish.

Presents its main clause at the end of the
sentence for emphasis and sentence
variety/phrases, dependent clauses precede
the main clause

a figure of speech in which the author presents
or describes concepts, animals, or inatimate
objects by endowing them with human
attributes or emotions.

The use of appeals to reasons, values, beliefs,
and emotions to convince a listener or reader to
think or act in a particular way.

is a literary term defined as the events that
make up a story, particularly as they relate to
one another in a pattern, in a sequence, through
cause and effect, how the reader views the
story, or simply by coincidence.

is the angle of considering things which shows
us the opinion or feelings of the individuals
involved in a situation. In literature, point of
view is the mode of narration that an author
employs to let the readers “hear” and “see”
what takes place in a story, poem, essay etc.

is a play on words in which a humorous effect
is produced by using a word that suggests two
or more meanings or by exploiting similar
sounding words having different meanings.

In or of the form of an argument in which one
event is asserted to be the cause of a later event
simply by virtue of having happened earlier:
coming to conclusions post hoc; post hoc
reasoning.

Is used in creating a comic effect/also an
argumentative technique; reduces argument
to an either/ or argument

and intensifiers are words or phrases that are
added to another word to modify its meaning,
either by limiting it (He was somewhat busy)
or by enhancing it (The dog was very cute).

is used to refer to something that misleads or
distracts from the relevant or important issue.
It may be either a logical fallacy or a literary
device that leads readers or characters towards
a false conclusion.

is technique of using language effectively and
persuasively in spoken or written form. It is an
art of discourse, which studies and employs
various methods to convince, influence or
please an audience.

may have an obvious answer but the
questioner asks rhetorical questions to lay
emphasis to the point. In literature, a rhetorical
question is self-evident and used for style as an
impressive persuasive device.

is derived from French word sarcasmor and also
from a Greek word sarkazein that means “tear
flesh” or “grind the teeth”. Somehow, in simple
words it means to speak bitterly. Generally, the
literal meaning is different than what the
speaker intends to say through sarcasm.
Sarcasm is a literary and rhetorical device that
is meant to mock with often satirical or ironic
remarks with a purpose to amuse and hurt
someone or some section of society
simultaneously. For instance:

the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like,
in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice,
folly, etc. a literary composition, in verse or
prose, in which human folly and vice are held
up to scorn, derision, or ridicule.

in literature, the location and time frame in
which the action of a narrative takes place.

a figure of speech in which two unlike things
are explicitly compared, as in “she is like a
rose.” Compare metaphor. an instance of such
a figure of speech or a use of words
exemplifying it.

an arrangement of a certain number of lines,
usually four or more, sometimes having a fixed
length, meter, or rhyme scheme, forming a
division of a poem.

A character who is so ordinary or unoriginal
that the character seems like an
oversimplified representation of a type,
gender, class, religious group, or occupation.
Cf. stock character, below.

the relationship or organization of the
component parts of a work of art or literature:
the structure of a poem.

in literature is the literary element that
describes the ways that the author uses words
— the author's word choice, sentence structure,
figurative language, and sentence arrangement
all work together to establish mood, images,
and meaning in the text.

A group of words that has both a subject and a
verb but (unlike an independent clause) cannot
stand alone as a sentence. Also known as a
dependent clause. Contrast with coordinate
clause.

“All men are human; all humans are mortal;
therefore all men are mortal.” syllogism. Form
of argument that, in its most commonly
discussed instances, has two categorical
propositions as premises and one categorical
proposition as conclusion.


is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities
by giving them symbolic meanings that are
different from their literal sense.
Symbolism can take different forms. Generally, it is
an object representing another to give it an entirely
different meaning that is much deeper and more
significant. Sometimes, however, an action, an
event or a word spoken by someone may have a
symbolic value. For instance, “smile” is a symbol
of friendship. Similarly, the action of someone
smiling at you may stand as a symbol of the
feeling of affection which that person has for you.

figure of speech in which a part represents the
whole, as in the expression “hired hands” for
workmen or, less commonly, the whole
represents a part, as in the use of the word
“society” to mean high society.

is a set of rules in a language, which shows and
how different parts of sentence are put together
in such an order that it conveys a complete
thought. Syntax and Diction. Syntax and
diction are closely related.

a written declaration certifying to a person's
character, conduct, or qualifications, or to the
value, excellence, etc., of a thing; a letter or
written statement of recommendation.

is defined as a main idea or an underlying
meaning of a literary work which may be
stated directly or indirectly. Major and Minor
Themes. There are two types of themes that
appear in literary works i.e. major and minor.


s a statement in a non-fiction or a fiction work
that a writer intends to support and prove.
One can find examples of thesis statement at
the beginning of literary pieces. These thesis
statemets are of utmost importance, as they
serve as clear indicators as to which directions
writers will follow in their work.

in written composition, is an attitude of a
writer toward a subject or an audience. Tone is
generally conveyed through the choice of
words or the viewpoint of a writer on a
particular subject.

are words and phrases which provide a
connection between ideas, sentences and
paragraphs. Transitions help to make a piece
of writing flow better. They can turn
disconnected pieces of ideas into a unified
whole and prevent a reader from getting lost in
the reading.

is a figure of speech employed by writers or
speakers to intentionally make a situation seem
less important than it really is. For example,
you win 10 million dollars in a lottery.

is the individual writing style of an author, a
combination of idiotypical usage of syntax,
diction, punctuation, character development,
dialogue, etc., within a given body of text (or
across several works). Voice can be thought of
in terms of the uniqueness of a vocal voice
machine.

usually consists of a specific span of text which
relates directly to the argument being made. To
use a well-worn example, the datum 'Harry
was born in Bermuda' supports the claim
'Harry is a British subject' via the warrant
'Persons born in Bermuda are British subjects.'"