ABSOLUTE PHRASE - An absolute phrase is a word group that modifies an entire
sentence. It consists of a noun plus at least one other word, as shown here:
The hunters rested for a moment in front of the shack, their breaths white in
the frosty air.
"Six boys came over the hill half an hour early that afternoon, running hard,
their heads down, their forearms working, their breath whistling."
(John Steinbeck, The Red Pony)
APPOSITIVE PHRASE - An appositive phrase is a type of noun phrase thatfollows
the noun or pronoun it modifies and amplifies or restricts itsmeaning.
Our department head, A CAREFUL READER AND OUTSPOKEN CRITIC, will review the
memo before it is circulated.
EPIPHANY - a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or
essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or
commonplace occurrence or experience.
ANTHROPOMORPHISM - a form of personification in which an interpretation of
what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics :
(humanization of an object)
APOSTROPHE - when a talker or writer breaks off and directs speech to an
imaginary person or abstract quality or idea OR objects or abstractions are
implied to have certain human qualities (such as understanding) by the very
fact that the speaker is addressing them as he would a person in his presence.
"Science! True daughter of Old Time thou art!" Edgar Allan Poe, "To Science"
RHETORICAL FRAGMENT - sentence fragments used for effect (Barren, desolate.)
JUXTAPOSITION - an act or instance of placing close together or side by side,
esp. for comparison or contrast.
ASSONANCE - repetition of vowel sound (a, e, i , o, u)
"Black cat" - Hay and bray
ALLITERATION - repetion of consonant sounds at the beginning of successive
phrases (great green field)
METHODS OF PERSUASION
logos - persuasion based on logic
ethos - based on ethics
pathos - emotional appeal
MOTIF - a reoccuring symbol, theme, or idea. (destruction of the windmill or
clock from "The Masque of the Red Death")
PARADOX - appears contradictory, makes sense ("All animals are equal, but
some animals are more equal than others.")
ANAPHORA - repetition at the beginning of successive phrases or sentences.
“We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in
France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing
confidence and growing strength in the air…” – Churchill
EPISTROPHE - repetition at the end of consecutive phrases of sentences.
"...and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall
not perish from the earth."
ASYNDETON - omission of conjunctions (and, but, or, nor) where there should
be.
"We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone
of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line."
POLYSYNDETON - overuse of conjuntions (and, or, nor, but).
"We must change that deleterious environment of the 80's, that environment
which was characterized by greed and hatred and selfishness and mega-mergers
and debt overhang...."
LITERARY and rhetoriCAL strategies and ELEMENTS
Omit needless words.
Write out numbers.
Write to impress.
Use the active voice. (The ball smashed the window.)
Avoid passive voice. (The window was smashed by the ball.)
Avoid get, got, that, so, then, and state of being verbs.
Avoid cliches
INCORRECT
Achillies is starting to run at Boagrius.
CORRECT
Achillies thunders towards Boagrius.
Vary sentence beginnings with:
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE (Through the night, During the war, Before, While, ect.)
PARTICIPIAL PHRASE (verb ending in -ing or -ed and functions as an adjective)
Screaming at the cashier, Dave realizes he does not have a coupon.
Burned by the sun, Dede opted for sunscreen.
INFINITIVE PHRASE (To + verb)
To determine your self worth you must ask yourself one simple question. Am I
happy?
STRONG adverbs. Delicately, Dave dove into the draconian way of life.
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Figurative Language
Metaphor - comparison between two unlike things "The lights became ever-
vanishing fireflies."
Simile - comparison using like, as, or than "The dark is like black moist
velvet"
Personification - ideas or objects given human traits "The water slapped him."
Hyperbole - exaggeration "I can sleep without closing my eyelids."
Repetition - There is power in repetition. There is strength. There is
memory.
Imagery - any writing related to the five senses "Hunger picked at him."
Syntax (sentence structure...Do not be afraid of short, direct sentences.)
Diction (word choice)
Alliteration - repetition of initial consonant sounds
Assonance - repetition of vowel sounds
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Elements of a story
Genre (type of literature, comedy, drama)
Protagonist (good guy)
Antagonist (major source of conflict)
Theme (message, moral, or lesson)
Back Story (events before the story)
Foil character (sidekick, yet a contrast to the main character)
Mentor character (teacher main character)
Subplot (minor plotlines)
Archetype (stereotype)
Indirect vs. Direct characterization
Rhetorical shift (time shift)
Allusion (outside reference to literary work or historical event)
Ellipsis (…/omitting words)
Cliche' - a trite or overused expression "Avoid these like the plague."
situational irony - the opposite of what is expected occurs
dramatic irony - audience knows, characters do not
verbal irony - what is said is not meant
Storyboard (unique camera angles or POV)
Internal vs. external conflict (man vs. himself vs. man vs. man or nature)
Foreshadowing (clues to upcoming events)
THE PARTS OF SPEECH:
Article (THE), Adjective (ARCHAIC) Noun (MAN), verb (BENT), adverb (SLOWLY),
preposition (DOWN), conjunction (AND), pronoun (HE), interjection (BOO!)
Thematic statement or thesis – An observation about life extracted from a
piece of literary work
Propaganda (examples below) *Information spread for a purpose
Band wagon (everyone supports)
Testimonial (endorsement)
Plain folks (identifies with common people)
Transfer (connecting one thing you want)
Glittering generalities (words and ideas that glitter)
Fear - You don't want Mr. Jones to come back.
Card stacking - only the good facts apply
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