Foss Power Common Core Vocabulary #1
9.15.14
Allegory
A metaphorical narrative in prose or verse in which the
characters and often parts of the narrative itself represent
moral and spiritual values or have other symbolic
meaning (e.g., Animal Farm).
Alliteration
The repetition of speech sounds, usually applied only to
consonants, and only when the recurrent sound occurs in a
conspicuous position at the beginning of a word or of a
stressed syllable within a word (“Babies bite binkies”).
Context
The sounds, words, or phrases adjacent to a spoken or
written language unit; the social or cultural situation in
which a spoken or written message occurs.
Diction
In writing, the careful choice of words based on their
correctness, clarity, or effectiveness.
Fate
The universal principle by which the order and outcome
of things is presumed to be predetermined; the destiny of
an individual or society.
Foss Power Common Core Vocabulary #2
9.22.14
Connotation
An idea or feeling that a word brings to mind in addition
to its literal or primary meaning. Ex.: skinny vs
slender—the connotation of skinny is somewhat negative,
while the connotation of slender is positive, even though
both words mean the same.
Conventions
Conventions are a courtesy to the reader, making writing
easier to read by putting it in a form that the reader
expects and is comfortable with; conventions in writing
include mechanics; mechanics are the conventions of print
that do not exist in oral language, including spelling,
punctuation, capitalization, and paragraphs.
Denotation
The literal or primary meaning of a word.
Imply
To state indirectly; to suggest; to hint; to give indirect
evidence. “The reporter’s comments imply that a crime
was committed.”
Infer
To deduce meaning; to draw a conclusion from what’s
been said. “I inferred that I have bad breath because you
offered me a mint.”
Foss Power Common Core Vocabulary #3
9.29.14
Analogy
An analogy is a literary device that uses comparison. It is a
comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing
that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing
by comparing it to something that is familiar. Metaphors and similes
are tools used to draw an analogy. An analogy is more extensive and
elaborate than either a simile (uses like or as for comparison) or a
metaphor (more direct—does not use like or as).
Evidence
Evidence is a type of literary device that appears in different
categories of essays and theses in the form of paraphrase and
quotations. It is presented to persuade the readers and used with
powerful arguments in the texts or essays. It is factual information
that helps the reader reach a conclusion and form an opinion about
something.
Plagiarize
To plagiarize is to take the written work of someone else and claim
it as one’s own. One avoids plagiarism by giving attribution to the
actual author.
Refutation
Refutation is a literary term denotes that part of an argument where
a speaker or a writer encounters contradicting points of view.
Refutation can be described as the negation of an argument, opinion,
testimony, doctrine, or theory, through contradicting evidence. It
normally constitutes a part of an essay that disproves the opposing
arguments.
Rhetoric
Rhetoric is a 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.
Foss Power Common Core Vocabulary #4
10.6.14
Archetype
 In literature, an archetype is a typical character, an action or a situation that
seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature.
 An archetype, also known as universal symbol, may be a character, a theme,
a symbol or even a setting. Many literary critics are of the opinion that
archetypes, which have a common and recurring representation in a
particular human culture or entire human race, shape the structure and
function of a literary work.
Cite
To cite means to write or say the words of (a book, author, etc.) to mention
(something) especially as an example or to support an idea or opinion.
Explicit
 Explicit is typically used as an adjective that means stated clearly and in
detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt. “She gave explicit
directions.”
 Explicit also means limited to the exact meaning of a word or text—"a literal
translation.”
Stereotype
 A stereotype is a thought that can be adopted about specific types of
individuals or certain ways of doing things. These thoughts or beliefs may
or may not accurately reflect reality.
 A stereotype (noun) is a well-known idea or image of a person or idea that is
held by a number of people.
 To stereotype (verb) is to attach a widely held image or belief to a person or
a group whether or not that image or belief is accurate.
Voice
 In rhetoric and literary studies, voice is the distinctive style or manner of
expression of an author or narrator.
 In traditional grammar, voice is the quality of a verb that indicates whether
its subject acts (active voice) or is acted upon (passive voice).
 Voice is also the distinct personality of a piece of writing.
Foss Power Common Core Vocabulary #5
10.12.14
Audience
The person(s) reading a text, listening to a speaker, or observing a performance.
An internal audience refers to the imaginary listener(s) or audience to whom a
character speaks in a poem or story.
A good writer considers his/her audience when selecting use of certain words.
Credibility
The quality of being believable or worthy of trust.
His credibility is high, because he has never lied.
Fallacy
A fallacy is a mistaken belief or argument, especially one based on unsound
reasoning. It is faulty thinking, because it is based on something that is wrong or
untrue.
The king relied on the fallacy that women determine the sex of offspring.
Irony
Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their
intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. There are two
basic kinds of irony: verbal irony and situational irony. A verbal irony involves
what one does not mean. When in response to a foolish idea, we say, “What a great
idea!” This is verbal irony. A situational irony occurs when, for instance, a person
is laughing at the misfortune of someone else even when the same misfortune, in
complete unawareness, is happening to the person who is laughing.
It was ironic that Jay laughed at the accident victim right before Jay got hit by a
train.
Pronouns
These are words that take the place of nouns: I, he, she, they, we, it, me, him, her,
us, them, him, her, his, hers, your, yours, their, theirs, mine, our, ours, myself,
himself, herself, themselves, ourselves are some examples of pronouns.
Using a pronoun can keep someone from having to repeat the noun.
Foss Power Common Core Vocabulary #6
10.20.14
Primary Source
A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created
during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or
time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.
“She used a primary source document to support her research.”
Protagonist
There are three main definitions of what protagonist means:
1)
The leading character or one of the major characters in a drama, movie,
novel, or other
fictional text
2)
The main figure or one of the most prominent figures in a real situation
3)
An advocate or champion of a particular cause or idea
“The protagonist had some likeable and not so likeable characteristics.”
Soliloquy
A soliloquy is a popular literary device often used in drama to reveal the innermost
thoughts of a character. In a soliloquy, the character or speaker speaks to himself;
the character keeps these thoughts secret from the other characters of the play, but
the audience is aware of what the character thinks and feels.
“We knew that the character was lonely and depressed because of her soliloquy.”
Syntax
Syntax is a set of rules in a language. It dictates how words from different parts of
speech are put together in order to convey a complete thought.
“Knowing proper syntax helps to make us effective writers and speakers.”
Understatement
Understatement is the presentation of something as being smaller or less important
than it actually is.
“It is an understatement to say that Michael Jackson liked music.”
Foss Power Common Core Vocabulary #7
10.27.14
Antagonist
A person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another;
opponent; adversary. In literature, this is the person who is the adversary of the
hero or protagonist.
“Voldemort is the antagonist in the Harry Potter books.”
Memoir
A memoir is a collection of memories that an individual writes about moments or
events, both public and private, that took place in the author's life.
“If Kanye wrote a memoir, would Kris Humpries read it?”
Parable
A parable is a story, usually short and simple, that illustrates a lesson. A parable
can be any form of imaginative literature or spoken story constructed in such a way
that readers or listeners are encouraged to look for meanings hidden beneath the
literal surface of the fiction.
“She used a parable to explain why stealing is wrong.”