Potential Vocab on Final
Literary and nonfiction terminology.
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EXPOSITION – Introduction of characters and setting.
RISING ACTION – The introduction of conflict marks the beginning of the rising action
CLIMAX - highest point of dramatic intensity
FALLING ACTION - conflict is being resolved
RESOLUTION - conflict is completely over (may not always be good)
PROTAGONIST- the main character
DICTION- Word choice (diction can have different levels of sophistication to reveal
something about the narrator). How does this word function in this sentence? How does this
specific word affect meaning? (As opposed to a slightly different word or synonym)There can be
a pattern of diction, too.
SYNTAX- Word (phrase) order within a sentence or sentence order within a paragraph.
TONE – speaker’s attitude toward the character or subject (see list of tone words). Diction +
syntax = tone.
MOOD – atmosphere created by author which evokes emotions/feelings in the audience
IMAGERY- use of pictures, descriptions or figures of speech; words that paint a picture in
your mind
SENSORY DETAILS- words that appeal to the five senses
PERSONIFICATION- words that give human qualities (attributes) to non-human entities
(things)
METAPHOR- a comparison between two unlike things (there are extended metaphors)
SIMILE- type of metaphor using “like” or “as” for comparison
ALLITERATION – repetition of initial sounds in successive words
IRONY- intentional contradiction between what something appears to mean and what it
actually means; types: dramatic (the audience knows something the character does not), verbal
(e.g. sarcasm, hyperbolic), situational (a situation that’s ironic—for example, a fire drill during
your final exam)
ALLUSION- a reference in art or literature to another body of art or literature
SYMBOL- something that represents something else (objects and actions can be symbolic)
THEME- recurring idea; a big question or concept explored in a text
JUXTAPOSITION- two contrasting ideas put against each other to highlight their
differences
SUBTEXT- the emotions or ideas beneath the spoken words; what’s communicated without
being said (in dialogue)
LOGOS- The appeal to logic, or the central logical argument of a piece of nonfiction
PATHOS- The appeal to emotions
ETHOS- The ethical appeal, related to the credibility of the speaker.
Regular Vocab Words
1. Levity
noun Lightness of manner or speech, especially when
inappropriate; frivolity
2. Scorn
noun Contempt or disdain felt toward a person or
object considered despicable or unworthy.
3. Abortive 7
adj.
Failing to accomplish intended objective
fruitless
4. Reproach 10 (6)verb To express disapproval of, criticism of, or
disappointment in someone.
5. Irrecoverable 10 (6)
adj.
Impossible to recover; irreparable
6. Supercilious 11 (7)
adj.
Feeling or showing haughty disdain.
7. Fractiousness 11 (7)
noun
Inclination to make trouble or be unruly.
8. Conscientious 13 (9) adj. Guided by or in accordance with the dictates of
conscience; principled
9. Imperceptibly 13 (9)
10. Accentuate 15 (11)
adv. Impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or
senses
verb
To stress or emphasize; intensify
11. Reciprocal 15 (11)
adj.
Concerning each of two or more persons or
things.
12. Languidly 16 (12)
adv.
13. Unobtrusively 16 (12)
Lacking energy or vitality; weak
adv. Not undesirably noticeable or blatant;
inconspicuous
14. Complacency 18 (14)
noun
A feeling of contentment or self
satisfaction, especially when coupled with an
unawareness of danger, trouble, or controversy.
15. Extemporizing 19 (15) verb To do or perform (something) without prior
preparation or practice
16. Feign
verb pretend; To give a false impression; to assert as if true
17. Epigraph
noun
18. Skepticism
noun
19. precarious
adj
Syn.
Ant.
20. inane
adj
a quotation set at the beginning of a literary work or one of
its divisions to suggest its theme
an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity (disbelief)
Dangerously lacking in security or stability
unsteady; perilous
stable; safe
Without contents; empty; void of sense or
intelligence
Syn.
Ant.
21. affronted
verb
silly, vapid, insipid, puerile
sensible, rational, intelligent
to insult or offend someone intentionally and openly
22. vagrant
noun
Syn.
criticize, slander
Ant.
placate, appease
One who wanders from place to place without a
permanent home or a means of livelihood.
Syn.
vagabond, drifter, transient
23. belle reve
(French) sweet dream
24. blanche
as in, carte blanche. Full discretionary power
25. raffish
adj
Characterized by a carefree or fun-loving
unconventionality; rakish
Syn.
26. attenuate
jaunty, dashing, licentious
Ant.
bland, upright
verb
To reduce in force, value, amount, or degree;
To become weaker or less dense
27. redolence
Syn.
debilitate, enfeeble, deflate
Ant.
increase, intensify, strengthen
noun
The quality of having sweetness of scent; pleasant
odor.
28. incongruous
29. Elysian
adj
adj
Syn.
bouquet, balm, aroma
Ant.
stench, stink
Not in agreement, as with principles; inconsistent
Syn.
incompatible, discordant, contrary
Ant.
harmonious, compatible, accord
Pertaining, or the abode of the blessed after death;
hence, yielding the highest pleasures; exceedingly
delightful
30. reproach
31. ominously
noun
Blame; rebuke
Syn.
reproof, reprimand
Ant.
commend, acclaim
adv
being or exhibiting an omen; significant;
portentous; -- formerly used both in a favorable and
unfavorable sense; now chiefly in the latter;
foreboding or foreshadowing evil.
Syn.
Ant.
32. peruse
verb
threateningly, menacingly, prophetically
auspiciously, favorably
To read or examine with attention to detail
33. lurid
adj
Syn.
scrutinize, inspect
Ant.
skim
Marked by sensationalism; causing shock or
horror; gruesome
34. indolently
Syn.
graphic, sensational, horrendous
Ant.
pleasant, bland
adv
In a manner conducive to inactivity or laziness;
lethargic
35. gallantry
36. serene
adj
Syn.
languorous, languid
Ant.
energetic, vigorous
noun
Chivalrous attention toward women; courtliness
Syn.
civility, gentility, courtesy
Ant.
rudeness, cowardness
Unaffected by disturbance; calm and unruffled
Syn.
composed; tranquil
Ant.
agitated; bustling
37. gaudy
adj
38. contemptuously
39. gossamer
40. coquette
Showy in a tasteless or vulgar way
Syn.
garish, tawdry
Ant.
tasteful, elegant, discerning
adv
With scorn or disdain
Syn.
derisively, disapprovingly
Ant.
deferentially, respectfully
adj
Characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy
Syn.
diaphanous, flimsy
Ant.
coarse, opaque
noun
A woman who makes teasing sexual or romantic
overtures; a flirt
41. (neurasthenic) adj
Syn.
siren, tease, vamp
Ant.
prude, straightlaced
Relating to a psychological disorder characterized
by chronic fatigue and weakness; loss of memory,
and generalized aches and pains, formerly thought
to result from exhaustion of the nervous system.
No longer in scientific use.
42. bohemian
noun
A person with artistic or literary interests who
disregards conventional standards of behavior.
43. demure
44. (contrapuntally)
Syn.
beatnik, nonconformist
Ant.
conformist, orthodox
adj
Affectedly shy, modest, or reserved
Syn.
decorous, sedate, prim
Ant.
bold, brash
adv
Relating to, or incorporating counterpoint
Relating to music- two or more melodies sounding together
45. blithely
adv
In a manner lacking or showing a lack of due
concern; casual
46. degenerate
noun
Syn.
gaily, carelessly
Ant.
anxiously
A depraved, corrupt, or vicious person
Syn. debauched, debased, immoral
47. uncouth
48. recriminations noun
49. prodigiously
50. voluptuously
adv
adv
Ant.
virtuous, moral, upright
adj
Crude; unrefined
Syn.
boorish, coarse, loutish
Ant.
polished, refined, sophisticated
accusations; countercharges
Syn.
allegation, incrimination
Ant.
exoneration, commendation
Very much; to a great extent; to a high degree
Syn.
abundantly, amply, substantially
Ant.
minimally, little
Full of delight or pleasure, especially that
of the senses; sensual
Syn.
enticing, erotic, lubricious, salacious
Ant.
flat, chaste, spiritual
51. Anecdote—noun—a little story.
Please tell me an anecdote about one of your best days of summer vacation.
52. Ambiguous—adj.—having more than one meaning.
The quizzical look the actor gives at the end of the film is ambiguous. Is he about to run away or
stay with the girl who has betrayed him?
a. Synonyms: unclear, vague, cryptic, enigmatic(mysterious)
b. Antonyms: obvious, clear
53. Degradation—noun—the act of corrupting or debasing someone; reducing someone in rank
and/or status.
Fraternity brothers and members of the cast of Jersey Shore often seem to engage in acts that
bring degradation to themselves and others in the eyes of the public.
a. Synonyms: DECADENCE, DECLINE, DETERIORATION
b. antonyms: ASCENT, RISE, UPSWING
54. Sanctity—noun—sacredness; holiness of life or character.
For me, sunrises at the beach are so important in my life that they hold a kind of sanctity for me.
a. Synonyms:, DEVOUTNESS, GODLINESS, HOLINESS
b. Antonyms: GODLESSNESS, UNGODLINESS
55. Vicarious—adj.— to live one’s life through the activities of another.
Bad reality TV shows, allow us to live vicariously through the characters; whether we are
partying at the shore, baking competitive cakes, or flipping tables with angry housewives when
we watch, we put ourselves in their shoes.
56. Genre—noun—a type –of literature, film, music.
We will soon be reading short stories, a certain literary genre, like novels, plays, or poetry.
Many people enjoy specific genres of film, like action/adventure, or comedy, or horror.
57. Alliteration—noun—repetition of consonant sounds.
“Frantic football fans” and “silly sophomores” both employ alliteration.
58. Assonance—noun—a literary device that uses repeated similar vowel sounds.
The writer Peter Cameron employs assonance when he describes fireflies “stunned by dusk”
because the “uh” sound is used in each word. (rhymes)
59. Pompous—adj.—acting superior or arrogant.
You don’t ever want to be accused of being pompous; instead, be thought of as natural and
humble.
a. Synonyms: haughty, arrogant, presumptuous, uppity
b. Antonyms: humble, lowly, modest, unpretentious
60. Piety—noun—devotion and reverence, especially to God and family.
Religious leaders typically gain a reputation for piety, but even lay people can achieve the same
thing
a. Synonyms: devotion, faith, religion
b. Antonyms: atheism, godlessness
61. Cacophony—noun— collection of loud discordant sounds; a cacophony of hoots, cackles, and
wails. a bedlam of sounds.
Had you attended the game last Friday night, you would have heard a cacophony of screaming
cheerleaders, blaring whistles, and yelling fans.
a. Synonyms – dissonance,
b. Antonyms – melody, music
clamor, discordance
62. Euthanasia—noun— Also called mercy killing. the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing
to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or animal suffering from an
incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition.
The dog was failing in its health and the family resorted to euthanasia to put the dog down.
63. Euphoria—noun—total joy.
There was a sense of euphoria in the gym as the home team won the state championship.
a. Synonyms – joy, exhilaration,
b. Antonyms – sorrow, despair
64. Mercenary—adj. and noun—motivated to do things just for money OR a soldier for hire.
He is a very mercenary person, not offering to help the sick woman next door unless he was paid
to help.
Many German soldiers served as mercenaries during the Revolutionary War, being paid for their
service.
a. Synonyms grasping, avaricious, greedy
b. Antonyms altruistic, idealistic, unselfish.
65. Altruistic—adj.—doing things out of kindness; the opposite of mercenary.
The altruistic Scout took delicious meals to the homes of five shut-ins.
a.
b.
Synonyms charitable, generous, philanthropic; benevolent, unselfish.
Antonyms self-centered, selfish, mean.