VOCABULARY FOR WRITING COMPOSITION

VOCABULARY FOR WRITING COMPOSITIONReference GuideA word that denotes a person, place, or thing. In a sentence they answer the question of who and what. noun (n.) underline onceA noun that denotes something that is intangible such as envy or joy.

Examples: love, friendship, loyalty, hatred, justice. Abstract A noun that is used to denote a particular person, place, or thing, and is always capitalized.

Examples: Abraham Lincoln, Titanic, Empire State Building Proper nounA word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence.

Examples: I, his, them, their, you, and it. PronounThe noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers to.

Example: Mrs. Orr is sometimes crazy. She scares me. AntecedentA word that denotes action or state of being in a sentence.

Types: Action, linking, or helping Verb or predicate (v.) underline twiceA word that modifies, or describes, a noun or pronoun. They may precede nouns, or they may appear after a form of the reflexive verb to be (am, are, is, was, etc.)

Examples: colors, numbers, size, shape, characteristics. Adjectives (Adj.)A, an, the. They precede a noun or noun phrase in a sentence. Article Modifies, or further describes: verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.*Many, though not all, end in ly* not and very Adverb (adv.)Describes a word or makes it meaning more specific. * In English there are two parts of speech that fall under this classification: adj. & adv.* Adj. = nouns and pronouns* Adv. = verbs, adj. & adv. Modify or modifierWork in combination with a noun or pronoun to create phrases that modify verbs, nouns/pronouns, or adj.* Phrases convey a spatial, temporal, or directional meaning PrepositionA word added to a sentence to convey emotion. It is not grammatically related to any other part of the sentence.Example: Stop! Your pants are on fire. Interjection (intj.)A word joins two independent clauses, or sentences together.

And, but, or, either or, neither nor Conjunction (conj.)A small group of words that adds meaning to a word. It is not a sentence because it is not a complete idea with a subject and a predicate.Phrase A group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. It can not be a sentence. Dependent Clause (DC)A group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. * A simple sentence. Independent Clause (IC) Incomplete sentences.*Pieces of sentences that have become disconnected from the main clause. *One of the easiest ways to correct them is to remove the period between the fragment and the main clause.*Other kinds of punctuation may be needed for the newly combined sentence. Fragment (frag.)Persuasive speech or writing

* Communicates its point persuasively. RhetoricProvides examples or cases in point.* Provides facts, statistics, personal experiences, or interview quotations that help to achieve the purpose of the essay ExemplificationDetail sensory perceptions of a person, place, or thing. DescriptionA writing that recounts an event;* Recount of an anecdote, an experience, or an event. NarrationExplains how to do something or how something happens. *The evaluation of any process. Process AnalysisDiscusses similarities and differences of a topic. Comparison / ContrastDivides a whole into parts or sorts related items into categories. Division and classificationProvides the meaning of terms that are used.* Take note of who your audience is and ask, Does your essay focus on any abstract, specialized, or new terms that need further explanation so the reader understands the main point?* Do any important words in the essay have many meanings and needs to be clarified? DefinitionAnalysis of something that happens and describes the consequences of a string of events; examining past events of their outcomes.* Is the purpose to inform, speculate, or argue about why an identifiable fact happens the way it does? Cause and effect analysisConvinces others through reasoning ; explanation of aspects of a particular subject, or advocating a specific opinion on a subject or issue. ArgumentationThe appeal to the conscience, ethics, morals standards, values, principles. EthosThe appeal to the head using logic, numbers, explanations, and facts.* Aims at a persons intellect* The idea is that if you are logical, you will understand. LogosThe appeal to the heart, emotions, sympathy, passions, or sentimentality. PathosA reference to something real or fictional, to someone, some event, or something in the Bible, history, literature, or any phase of culture. AllusionAn expression, often humorous, or sarcastic, that exposes perversity or absurdity. IronyA contradiction in terms, such as faithless devotion, searing cold, deafening silence, jumbo shrimp, act naturally, peacekeeper missile, or larger half. OxymoronReveals a kind of truth which at first seems contradictory.

Example: Red wine is both good and bad for us. ParadoxUsing an object or action that means something more than its literal meaning.

Example: The bird of night (owl is a symbol of death) SymbolismA humorous exaggerated imitation, or travesty.

Examples: The film, Airplane! Is a parody of the 1970s era disaster films; Austin Powers films parody James Bondtype spy films. Parody * A cutting, often ironic remark intended to wound. * A form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule. SarcasmLiterary tone used to ridicule or make fun of human vice or weakness, often with the intent of correcting, or changing the subject of the satiric attack. SatireLinking devices that hold a text together structurally, e.g. the battle between good and evil: the general idea or insight about life a writer wishes to express.* All of the elements of literary terms contribute to theme.* A simple theme can often be stated in a single sentence. ThemesContrasting ideas such as black/white, darkness/light, good/bad. CounterpointsLanguage that evokes one or all of the five senses: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching. ImageryNon-literal, imaginative substitutions in which, for instance, a tree becomes a metaphor for family, or springtime symbolizes rebirth. Metaphor / SymbolismThe method used by a writer to develop a character. The method includes: 1. showing the characters appearance 2. displaying the characters actions 3. revealing the characters thoughts 4. letting the character speak 5. getting the reactions of others CharacterizationFraming strategies Introduction/conclusionUsually first or third person that tells the story or events. Narrator* Gut reactions are useful here.* What is it that makes you respond as you do?* Are you the authors intended audience?* If not, who is?The attitude a writer takes toward a subject or character: serious, humorous, sarcastic, ironic, satirical, tongue-in-cheek, solemn, objective. Style/tone/voiceThe comparison of two pairs that have the same relationship. * The key is to ascertain the relationship between the first so you can choose the correct second pair. AnalogyAction that interrupts to show an event that happened at an earlier time which is necessary to better understanding. FlashbackThe use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in literature. ForeshadowingExaggeration or overstatement.

Example: I told you a million times not to exaggerate. HyperboleGiving human qualities to animals or objects.

Example: A smiling moon and a jovial sun kept calling me. Personification