Unit 3: Additional Literary Terms

22 words 25 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. paraphrase
    express the same message in different words
    To understand a poem's central idea, paraphrase it, or restate the meaning in your own words.
  2. figure of speech
    language used in a nonliteral sense
    Poets often use the following figures of speech, or types of figurative language, to convey ideas in fresh and innovative ways.
  3. imagery
    the use of vivid sensory language in literature
    Because figurative language often uses sensory details and expresses meaning in concrete terms, it is an important source of imagery, or word-pictures, in poetry.
  4. oxymoron
    conjoined contradictory terms
    An oxymoron is a phrase that juxtaposes two opposite or contradictory words, such as "deafening silence" or "wise fool."
  5. theme
    a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary work
    A theme is the essential idea that all the elements of a literary work combine to express.
  6. context
    discourse that surrounds and helps explain a word or passage
    To determine which meaning a writer is using in a sentence, look at the context clues.
  7. organization
    a planned structure for arranging or classifying
    Organization is the order in which you present your ideas.
  8. chronological
    relating to or arranged according to the order of time
    Chronological Order: Writing about causes and effects in time sequence makes sense for many essays, especially those in which a single cause leads to multiple effects.
  9. retelling
    a new version or adaptation of a story
    Write a retelling of the story of Orpheus and the trees from the point of view of Orpheus.
  10. dramatic irony
    when the audience understands something the characters don't
    Dramatic irony involves a contrast between what a character thinks to be true and what the reader knows to be true.
  11. irony
    incongruity between what is expected and what occurs
    Dramatic irony involves a contrast between what a character thinks to be true and what the reader knows to be true.
  12. argumentative
    given to or characterized by a tendency to dispute
    Write an argumentative essay in which you state and defend a position on whether a culture should try to keep the memory of its past, including its failures, alive.
  13. annotate
    add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
    Write an annotated bibliography in which you provide detailed information about the sources you locate
  14. bibliography
    a list of writings with time and place of publication
    Write an annotated bibliography in which you provide detailed information about the sources you locate
  15. analytical
    using or skilled in using reasoning
    Write an analytical essay in which you discuss how Bradbury juxtaposes the ordinary elements of daily life with the horror of disaster.
  16. memoir
    an account of the author's personal experiences
    A memoir is a type of autobiography.
  17. historical
    of or relating to the study of recorded time
    Historical writing is nonfiction about past events and their effects on groups of people.
  18. technical
    relating to or requiring special knowledge to be understood
    Technical language is a type of diction, or word choice.
  19. summary
    a brief statement that presents the main points
    Write up your findings in a research summary.
  20. persuasive
    intended or having the power to induce action or belief
    Write a persuasive essay in which you state and defend a position about Diamond's argument.
  21. informative
    serving to instruct or enlighten
    Then, write an informative essay in which you discuss what can be learned about lost civilizations from the study of ancient buildings.
  22. expository
    serving to expound or set forth
    Write an expository essay in which you explain, describe, and discuss one or more aspects of your chosen question.
Created on Fri Oct 16 15:30:13 EDT 2020 (updated Tue Jul 20 12:09:02 EDT 2021)

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