mr-anderson.com

You are here

 
Printer-friendly version

This glossary contains definitions for words used throughout the website.  If you have a suggestion of a word that should be included here, please e-mail me at tim@mr-anderson.com.



Browse the glossary using this index

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O
P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ALL

Page:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  (Next)
ALL

A

acronym

:

A word formed from the initial letter or letters of each word in a set of words.

Examples:

  • NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization
  • radar - RAdio Detecting and Ranging
  • NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • scuba - self contained underwater breating apparatus
• From Greek akros (=point, tip).
Keyword(s):

allegory

:
A metaphorical narrative in prose or verse in which fictional figures and actions usually represent truths or generalizations about human existence.

alliteration

:

The repetition of of initial vowels or consonants at the beginning of words (e.g., winter wind, slurp and soul, or omit and open.

allusion

:

a reference to a famous person, place, event, or work of literature. 

alphabetic principle

:
The assumption underlying alphabetic writing systems that each speech sound or phoneme of a language has its own distinctive graphic representation.

ambiguities

:
Statements or arguments used in a work that may have more than one meaning or interpretation.

amphibrach

:
Array

amphimacer

:
Array

analogy

:
A method of explaining something unfamiliar by using a comparison of similar, more familiar things; a form of reasoning in which one thing is inferred to be similar to another thing in a certain respect, on the basis of the known similarity between the things in other respects (e.g., part to whole, synonym and antonym, degree or cause and effect).

anapest

:
a three-syllable foot with the stress on the third.

anecdote

:
A brief narrative of an interesting, unusual or biographical event often used to illustrate a point.

antagonist

:
The character (or force) that opposes the protagonist.

antonym

:

A word opposite in meaning to another word

Example:

  • good and bad
  • fast and slow
  • elated and melancholy
From Greek anti (=against)

apostrophe

:
Array

appeal to authority

:
To call upon an individual or other source as an expert to give credence to an argument made by an author of a work.

appeal to emotion

:
When a speaker or writer builds an argument using expressive language or other devices instead of presenting evidence; a fallacy in arguments

appeal to reason

:
To call upon a reader's ability to think in a rational way in order to cause a change in his or her thoughts.

aptronym

:
A person's name that matches it's owner's occupation or character very well (either in fiction or reality)

Examples:
  • arctic explorer Will Snow
  • hairdresser Dan Druff
• From apt (=suitable); coined by Franklin P. Adams.

assonance

:
The close repetition of middle vowel sounds (e.g., stony and holy).

autoantonym

:
A word that can take two (or more) opposite meanings;

Examples:
  • fast means "moving quickly" or "fixed firmly in place"
  • overlook means "to watch over carefully" or "to fail to notice"
• From Greek auto (=self) + anti (=against).
• Often hyphenated as auto-antonym.
Keyword(s):

autonym

:
1. A word that describes itself
Examples:
  • noun is a noun
  • polysyllabic is polysyllabic
  • abbrv. is an abbreviation
  • word is a word.
2. A person's real name; the opposite of pseudonym.

3. A name by which a social group or race refers to itself.

•From Greek auto (=self).

Keyword(s):

B

bacronym

:
The reverse of producing an acronym; taking a word which already exists and creating a phrase (usually humorous) using the letters of the word as initials

Examples:
  • Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anybody (BANANA)
  • Guaranteed Overnight Delivery (GOD).
• From back(wards) + acronym.

bait and switch

:
A tactic in which a customer is attracted by the advertisement of a low-priced item but is then encouraged to buy a higher-priced one.

ballad

:
a quatrain alternating iambic tetrameter in lines one and three with iambic trimeter in lines two and four. The rhyme scheme of a ballad is abcb.

bandwagon

:
A fallacy in which one is attracted to a popular party, faction or cause that attracts growing support; following the crowd rather than using evidence to justify a conclusion.

bias

:
An inclination of temperament or outlook; a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment.

blend

:
To combine the sounds represented by two or more letters to pronounce a word such as /gr/ in grow; to combine two or more words

brainstorming

:
A prewriting technique in which students, either alone or in groups, jot down all words or phrases that come to mind on a topic to expand the range of available ideas, to solve a problem or to clarify a concept.

C

caesura

:
a natural break or pause in a line of poetry, usually near the middle of the line, usually marked by punctuation.

capitonym

:
A word which changes its meaning and pronunciation when capitalized

Examples:
  • polish and Polish
  • august and August
  • concord and Concord
• From capital letter

catalexis

:
dropping an unstressed syllable from the end of a trochaic or dactylic line.

cause and effect

:

An organizational structure of text in which there is a description of events and their causes or consequences. Sometimes, a single cause will have multiple effects or many causes will lead to a single effect.

character

:
a person (or animal or inanimate object that acts like a human) portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama, novel, poem, or play

characterization

:
The method an author uses to create the appearance and personality of imaginary characters in a piece of fiction; often developed by describing a character's physical appearance, by revealing a character's nature through the character's speech, thoughts, feelings or actions, by using the speech, thoughts, feelings or actions of other characters and by using direct comments from the narrator.

chronological

:
An organizational structure of text in which events are placed in the order they occur in time.

climax

:
the turning point in a plot or dramatic action, a moment of great or culminating intensity in a narrative or drama, especially at the conclusion of a crisis

coherence

:
The quality of a piece of writing in which the ideas are clearly arranged so a reader can follow the progression from one idea to the next.

comparison and contrast

:
An organizational structure of text in which a description of similarities and differences among two or more things occurs.

compound sentence

:

A sentence with two or more coordinate independent clauses but no dependent clause (e.g., George talked, and Harry listened).

compound word

:
A combination of two or more words that function as a single unit of meaning (e.g., bookkeeper or downtrodden).

comprehension

:
The process in which a reader constructs meaning through interaction with text; accurately understanding what is written or said.

concrete image

:
When a speaker or writer uses words that induce audiences to call up "pictures" in their minds by appealing to their senses of taste, smell, hearing, touch and sight.

conflict

:

The struggle between opposing forces that brings about the action within a story or drama; can be internal (within a character) or external (between a character and an outside force).

Types of Conflict

Man versus Man
Conflict that pits one person against another.

Man versus Nature
A run-in with the forces of nature. On the one hand, it expresses the insignificance of a single human life in the cosmic scheme of things. On the other hand, it tests the limits of a person’s strength and will to live.

Man versus Society
The values and customs by which everyone else lives are being challenged. The character may come to an untimely end as a result of his or her own convictions. The character may, on the other hand, bring others around to a sympathetic point of view, or it may be decided that society was right after all.

Man versus Self
Internal conflict. Not all conflict involves other people. Sometimes people are their own worst enemies. An internal conflict is a good test of a character’s values. Does he give in to temptation or rise above it? Does he demand the most from himself or settle for something less? Does he even bother to struggle? The internal conflicts of a character and how they are resolved are good clues to the character’s inner strength.

Keyword(s):

connotation

:
The attitudes and feelings associated with a word as opposed to a word's literal meaning.

consonance

:
The repetition of identical consonant sounds before and after differing vowel sounds (e.g., stoke/luck).

construct

:
The process of understanding what is read through the interaction meaning with text.

consumer documents

:
Nonfiction works such as warranties, product information and instructional materials designed to help one with daily tasks.

context clues

:

Information a reader may obtain from a text that helps confirm the meaning of a word or group of words.

There are nine common categories of context clues:

  1. Synonyms - words with similar meanings.
    The loud kids at the movie were churlish and rude.
  2. Antonyms - words with opposite meanings.
    The preceding examples are different from those that follow.
  3. Definition - a phrase or sentence that gives the same idea in different words.
    The passengers were told to look at the dolphins from the starboard, or right side, of the boat.
  4. Restatement - a phrase or sentence that gives the same idea in different words.
    Slogging up the hill in the mud was difficult and slow going.
  5. Example - an example that illustrates the meaning.
    Celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and stars, move in predictable patterns.
  6. Explanation - a sentence or phrase that explains the meaning.
    I was very     industrious Saturday.
    I cleaned my room, did all my homework, helped Dad wash the car, and went to the grocery store for Mom.
  7. Contrast - a sentence or phrase that contrasts with, or has the opposite meaning of, the word.
    The TV program showed the sumptuous home in which the singer now lives, quite different from the small, ordinary home in which he grew up.
  8. Comparison - a sentence or phrase that compares the word to something familiar.
    My grandfather always used a big, heavy pot with legs, which looked like a spider, when he was camping.
  9. Sense or experience: a sentence or phrase the refers to a common experience.
    He felt exhausted, just as he did when he had the flu.

conventions

:
The accepted rules of written and spoken language.

counter-argument

:
A point or statement in opposition to the argument being made in a written document or speech.

credibility

:
The quality or state of offering reasonable grounds for being believed.

cues

:

Hand, body or facial gestures that communicate meaning with little or no use of language.

cutaway

:
A drawing or model of something with part of its outside removed to give a view of the inside.

D

dactyl

:
a three-syllable foot with the stress on the first.

declarative sentence

:
A sentence that makes a statement.

decode

:
To analyze spoken or graphic symbols of a familiar language to ascertain their intended meaning. Note: To learn to read, one must learn the conventional code in which something is written in order to decode the written message.

definitional

:
A reference, explanation or comment usually placed below the text on footnote a printed page.

denotation

:
The literal or "dictionary" meaning of a word.

denouement

:
the final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot; the events following the climax of a drama or novel in which such a resolution or clarification takes place

description

:
One of the four traditional forms of composition in speech and writing that gives a verbal picture of a character and an event, including the setting in which they occur.

dialect

:
A form of language as it is spoken in a particular geographic area or by a particular social or ethnic group.

dialogue

:
A conversation between two or more characters in a work that is used by writers to give insight into the characters themselves.

diction

:

Clarity and distinctiveness of pronunciation; choice of words in speaking or writing.

digraphs

:
Two successive letters that make a single sound (e.g., ea in bread or ng in sing).

dynamic character

:
A character who undergoes a change during the course of a story.

E

e.g.

:
Exempli gratia (Latin), meaning "for example."

editing

:
A step in preparing a written work for publication or review that focuses on clarity and correctness.

elements of plot

:

All fiction is based on conflict and this conflict is presented in a structured format called PLOT.

  • Exposition
    The introductory material which gives the setting, creates the tone, presents the characters, and presents other facts necessary to understanding the story.
  • Foreshadowing
    The use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story.
  • Inciting Force
    The event or character that triggers the conflict.
  • Conflict
    The essence of fiction. It creates plot. The conflicts we encounter can usually be identified as one of four kinds. (Man versus…Man, Nature, Society, or Self)
  • Rising Action
    A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the inciting force and ends with the climax.
  • Crisis
    The conflict reaches a turning point. At this point the opposing forces in the story meet and the conflict becomes most intense. The crisis occurs before or at the same time as the climax.
  • Climax
    The climax is the result of the crisis. It is the high point of the story for the reader. Frequently, it is the moment of the highest interest and greatest emotion. The point at which the outcome of the conflict can be predicted.
  • Falling Action
    The events after the climax which close the story.
  • Resolution (Denouement)
    Rounds out and concludes the action.
Keyword(s):

end rhyme

:
rhyme at the ends of lines of poetry

end-stopped

:
a pause (period or comma) at the end of the line.

English/Shakespearean Sonnet

:
a fourteen-line poem of four stanzas, three quatrains and a couplet. The rhyme scheme is abab cdcd efef gg.

enjambed

:
no pause at the end of the line.

epic simile

:
Array

eponym

:

A person whose name is the source of the name of something.

Examples:

  • Rudolph Diesel is the eponym of the diesel engine
  • General Ambrose Burnside (1824-1881), a Civil war general whose trademark was a bushy beard that extended only along the jawline, is the eponym of the word sideburns

Note: The term eponym is also sometimes used to refer to a word that is derived from a person's name.

Websites for researching eponyms:
• From Greek epo (=on).

et al

:

"and others" or "and elsewhere" (when talking referencing other places in a text). 

et al. is the abbreviation of any of the latin terms: et alli (male plural), et aliae (female plural), or et alia (neutral plural). 

evaluative question

:
A question that asks the responder to make a judgment.

exclamatory

:

A sentence that makes a vehement statement or conveys strong or sentence sudden emotion.

exonym

:
A place name used by foreigners that differs from the name used by natives

Examples:
  • Londres is the French exonym for London
  • Germany is an exonym because Germans call it Deutschland.
• From Greek exo (=outside).

explicit

:
Fully or clearly expressed; definite.

expository

:
A spoken or written composition, intending to set forth or explain. Note: Good exposition is clear in conception, well organized and understandable. It may include limited amounts of argumentation, description and narration to achieve this purpose.

eye-rhyme

:
Array

F

fable

:
A story intended to enforce a useful truth, especially one in which animals speak and act like human beings.

fallacy

:
A typical error in reasoning that arises commonly in ordinary discourse and renders unsound the argument in which it appears.

feminine rhyme

:
Array

figurative language

:

Language enriched by word images and figures of speech.

Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language. Any language that goes beyond the literal meaning of words in order to furnish new effects or fresh insights into an idea or a subject.

The most common figures of speech are simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, and idioms.

figurative meaning

:
A symbolic interpretation of written work.

figures of speech

:
special poetic ways of expressing things, especially comparisons that are not literally true.

first person narration

:
Narration in which the point of view is that of the main character.

flashback

:
The technique of stopping the chronological action in a story and shifting to an earlier period to introduce additional information.

flat character

:
A character with only one outstanding trait or feature.

fluency

:
The act of reading easily, smoothly and automatically with a rate appropriate for the text, indicating that students understand meaning.

focus

:
The center of interest or attention; in writing, the central idea.

foil

:
A character who provides a contrast to the protagonist.

foot

:
the repeating unit of meter.

foreshadowing

:

The technique of giving clues to coming events in a narrative.

Not all foreshadowing is obvious. Frequently, future events are merely hinted at through dialogue, description, or the attitudes and reactions of the characters.

Foreshadowing frequently serves two purposes. It builds suspense by raising questions that encourage the reader to go on and find out more about the event that is being foreshadowed. Foreshadowing is also a means of making a narrative more believable by partially preparing the reader for events which are to follow.

format

:

The shape, size and general makeup (as of something printed).

functional documents

:
Works of nonfiction such as "how to" books, technical manuals and instructions.

G

genre

:
An established class or category of artistic composition or literature (e.g., poetry, drama or novel).

gerund

:

A verb form that ends in -ing and is used as a noun (e.g., reading is fun).

glittering

:
A propaganda technique in which words have different positive generalities meanings for individual subjects but are linked to highly valued concepts.

graphic organizer

:
A method of organization of information which incorporates diagrams or other pictorial devices.

H

Haiku

:
a form of poetry developed in Japan; in English we use three lines, with syllable counts of 5-7-5 or 3-5-3.

Heroic couplets

:
rhymed couplets of iambic pentameter

heteronym

:
One of two (or more) words that have the same spelling, but different meaning, and sometimes different pronunciation too. (Heteronyms that are pronounced differently are also heterophones.)

Examples:
  • sewer
  • row
  • entrance
  • wind.
A heteronym is a kind of homonym.

hexameter

:
a six-foot line.

high-frequency word

:
A word that appears many more times than most other words in spoken or written language.

homograph

:

A word with the same spelling as another word, whether or not pronounced alike

Examples:

  • pen (a writing instrument) vs. pen (an enclosure)
  • bow (and arrow) vs. bow (of a ship)

homonym

:

A word with different origin and meaning but the same oral or written form as one or more other words

Examples:

  • bear (an animal) vs. bear (to support) vs. bare (exposed)
Homonyms include homophones and homographs.

homophone

:

A word with different origin and meaning but the same pronunciation as another word, whether or not spelled alike

Example:

  • hair and hare

hyperbole

:
A figure of speech which uses a deliberate exaggeration (e.g., I have told you a million times).

hypernym

:
A word that has a more general meaning than another

Examples:
  • in the relationship between chair and furniture, furniture is a hypernym
  • in the relationship between horse and animal, animal is a hypernym.
• From Greek hyper (=over).

Keyword(s):

hyponym

:
A word that has a more specific meaning than another

Examples:
  • in the relationship between chair and furniture, chair is a hyponym
  • in the relationship between horse and animal, horse is a hyponym

hypothesize

:
To make an assertion about something assumed but not positively known.

I

i.e.

:
Id est (Latin), meaning "that is."

iamb

:
a two-syllable foot with the stress on the second syllable. The English language is naturally iambic, and Shakespeare used iambs for the speeches of good and noble figures.

iambic pentameter

:
five iambs to a line of ten syllables. Sonnets, rime royal, and heroic couplets all use iambic pentameter.

idiom

:
A combination of words that is not strictly in accordance with grammatical rules and often possesses a meaning other than its grammatical or logical one (e.g., an easy test might be described as a piece of cake).

imagery

:

Words and phrases that appeal to the readers' senses.

implicit

:
To be assumed but not directly expressed.

inference

:
A general conclusion drawn from information that is given.

inferential question

:
A question that asks a responder to draw a conclusion.

infinitive

:

A verb that is usually introduced by to. The infinitive may be used as a noun or a modifier.

inflection

:
The process or result of changing the form of a word to express a syntactic function without changing the word's grammatical class, as run to ran or runs.

informational documents

:
Works of nonfiction such as transcripts, reports or journals.

internal rhyme

:
rhymes inside the lines, or a word inside a line that rhymes with a word at the end of a line

interrogative sentence

:
A sentence that asks a question or makes an inquiry.

intonation

:
The rise and fall of a voice pitch.

irony

:
The recognition of the difference between reality and appearance; includes situational irony in which there is a contrast between what is intended or expected and what actually occurs; verbal irony in which there is a contrast between what is said and what is actually meant; and dramatic irony in which words or actions are understood by the audience but not by characters.

irregular

:
An exception to a linguistic pattern or rule, as good, better, best are exceptions to the usual -er, -est pattern of comparatives and superlatives in English.

Italian/Petrarchan Sonnet

:
a fourteen-line poem of an octave and a sestet. Abba abba cde cde

L

language

:

The systematic use of sounds, signs and symbols as a method of communication; in writing, the choice of words used to convey meaning.

limerick

:
a five-line nonsense poem, mostly in anapest, rhyme scheme aabba. Lines one, two, and five have three feet, but lines three and four have only two feet.

limited point of view

:
The vantage point in which a narrator tells the story in the third person but often confines himself or herself to what is experienced, thought and felt by a single or limited number of characters.

literal meaning

:
The actual meaning of a word or a phrase.

literary element

:
A component of a piece of literature such as plot or setting in a story.

M

main idea

:
The gist of a passage; the central thought; the chief topic of a passage expressed or implied in a word or phrase; the topic sentence of a paragraph; a statement in sentence form which gives the stated or implied major topic of a passage and the specific way in which the passage is limited in content or reference.

masculine rhyme

:
Array

media

:

A means of communication, especially of mass communication, such as books, newspapers, magazines, radio, television, motion pictures and recordings.

meronym

:
1. A word that refers to a part of what another word refers to

  • in the relationship between leg and ankle, ankle is a meronym
  • in the relationship between brim and hat, brim is a meronym.
2. A term midway between two opposites
Examples:
  • flat between convex and concave
  • present between past and future.
• From Greek meros (=part).

metaphor

:
A figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two unlike things (e.g., he's a tiger).

meter

:
the pattern of rhythm of syllables.

metonym

:
A word designates something by the name of something associated with it

Examples:
  • the Crown referring to the monarchy
  • the bottle referring to alcohol
  • the White House for the US executive branch.
• From Greek meta (=change).

metronym

:
A name derived from the name of one's mother, or another female ancestor.

From Greek metros (=mother).

monologue

:
An extended speech in a drama or a narrative that is presented by one character.

mood

:

The feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for a reader; a reflection of an author's attitude toward a subject or theme.

motivation

:
an inducement or incentive to action; in a story, the psychological or social factors that drive character action

N

narrative

:
One of the four traditional forms of composition in speech and writing that tells a story or gives an account of something, dealing with sequences of events and experiences, though not necessarily in strict order.

near rhyme

:
Array

nuance

:
A delicate shade of difference.

O

omniscient point of view

:
The vantage point in which a narrator is removed from the story and knows everything that needs to be known.

onomatopoeia

:

Words whose sound imitates their suggested meaning, (e.g., buzz, boom, hiss, and clang).

onset

:
The consonants preceding the vowel of a syllable, (e.g., str in strip).

open-ended question

:
A type of question intended to produce a free response rather than a direct or one-word response.

oronym

:
A string of words which is homophonic with another string of words

Examples:
  • ice cream and I scream
  • mint spy and mince pie

overlay

:
A transparent sheet containing additional details, such as a chart or map, that is placed on top of another transparency on an overhead projector during a presentation.

P

pace

:

The rate at which something moves; the rate at which a writer moves the action or information; the rate a speaker uses in delivery.

parallel structure

:
The phrasing of language so as to balance (grammatically) ideas of equal importance. Note: Parallelism may apply to phrases, sentences, paragraphs, longer passages or whole selections.

parody

:
A literary or musical work in which the style of an author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule.

paronym

:
A word from the same root, and usually a similar pronunciation, as another;

Example:
  • beautiful and beauteous.
• From Greek para (=beside).

patronym

:
A name derived from the name of one's father, or another male ancestor.

• From Greek pater (=father).

pentameter

:
a five-foot line.

persona

:

A voice or character representing a speaker or narrator of a literary work.

personification

:
A figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects or ideas (e.g., happy house).

persuasive

:
One of the four traditional forms of composition in speech and writing that moves the reader by argument or entreaty to a belief or position.

persuasive technique

:
A method used in speaking or writing to get an audience to agree with

phoneme

:
A minimal sound unit of speech that, when contrasted with another phoneme, affects the naming of words in a language, as /b/ in book contrasts with /t/ in took, /k/ in cook and /h/ in hook.

phonemic awareness

:
The awareness of the sounds (phonemes) that make up spoken words. Such awareness does not appear when young children learn to talk; the ability is not necessary for speaking and understanding spoken language. Phonemic awareness is a necessary step for learning to read. In alphabetic languages, letters and letter clusters represent phonemes, and in order to learn the correspondences between letters and sounds, one must understand that words are made up of phonemes. phonics A way of teaching reading and spelling that stresses symbol-sound relationships; used especially in beginning instruction.

pitch

:
The difference in the relative vibration frequency of the human voice that contributes to the total meaning of speech.

plagiarism

:
To steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one's own; to use another's production without crediting the source.

plot

:
The careful sequencing of events in a story generally built around a conflict. Stages of plot include exposition (background), rising action, climax, falling action and denouement (resolution).

point of view

:

The perspective or attitude of a narrator of a piece of literature.

Point of view may be:
  • First person - uses "I" - A character is telling the story.
  • Second person - uses "you" - The author speaks directly to the reader. Second person is seldom used; it is found most often in nonfiction today.
  • Third person - uses "he," "she," or "it" - The author is telling about the characters. There are three third person points of view:
    • Limited omniscient - We are told the thoughts and feelings of only one character (sometimes, but very seldom, of two or three characters).
    • Omniscient - We are told everything about the story, including the thoughts and feelings of all the characters, and even information in the author's mind which no character knows.
    • Dramatic or objective - We are told only what happens and what is said; we do not know any thoughts or feelings of the characters. It is called "dramatic" because it includes the words and actions, just what you would see and hear if it were in a play or film.

prefix

:
An affix attached before a base word or root, as re- in reprint.

prewriting

:
The initial creative stage of writing, prior to drafting, in which a writer formulates ideas, gathers information, and considers ways to organize them.

primary source

:
Firsthand information, such as an eyewitness account.

prior knowledge

:
Knowing that stems from previous experience. Note: Prior knowledge is a key component of schema theories of reading comprehension in spite of the redundancy inherent in the term.

problem-solution

:
An organizational structure of text that is similar to cause and effect, except that outcomes are a result or solution of a perceived need or problem.

propaganda

:
The spreading of ideas, information or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause or a person.

protagonist

:
The main character in a story.

pseudonym

:
An assumed name, especially by an author.

Examples:
  • Mark Twain is a pseudonym for Samuel Clemens.
  • Theodore Geisel used the pseudonym of Dr. Seuss.
  • Eric Arthur Blair wrote the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four under the pseudonym George Orwell.
• From Greek pseudo (=false).

Keyword(s):

public documents

:
Nonfiction materials such as newspapers, editorials and speeches.

pun

:

The usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings or the meaning of another word similar in sound; a play on words. (e.g., the substitution of the slogan visualize world peace with visualize whirled peas).

pyrrhic foot

:
a two-syllable foot, both syllables unstressed.

Q

quatrain

:
a four-line stanza

R

reliability

:
Suitable or fit to be relied on; trustworthy.

resolution

:
The point in a literary work at which the chief dramatic complication is resolved.

retronym

:
An adjective-noun pairing generated by a change in the meaning of the base noun, usually as a result of technological advance

Examples:
  • watch became pocket watch due to introduction of wrist watch
  • pen became fountain pen due to introduction of ball-point pen
From Greek retro (=backward); coined by Frank Mankiewicz.

reversal

:
Array

revision

:
The stage of the writing process in which one considers and improves the meaning and underlying structure of a written draft.

rhetorical

:
A method used in writing or speaking in which language is used to device influence or persuade an audience.

rhyme

:
Array

rhyme scheme

:
using letters to show the arrangement of rhyme, such as ababcdcdefefgg for a sonnet

rime

:

A vowel and any following consonants of a syllable, as /ook/ in book.

Rime Royal

:
seven lines of iambic pentameter, rhyme scheme ababbcc.

root word

:
In a complex word, the meaningful base form after all affixes are removed. Note: A root may be independent or free, as read in unreadable, or may be dependent or bound, as -liter- (from the Greek for letter) in illiterate.

round character

:
A character who is complex and multi-dimensional.

rubric

:
An authoritative set of rules which can be used as a means of evaluation.

S

satire

:
A literary technique in which ideas, customs, behaviors or institutions are ridiculed for the purpose of improving society.

scope

:
The extent of an author's treatment of a subject.

secondary source

:
A source that is reporting on or analyzing information from another source.

segment

:
The division of words into syllables; the minimal units of sequential syllables speech sounds comprising a vowel sound or a vowel-consonant combination, as /a/, /ba/, /ab/ and /bab/.

sensory details

:
Details perceived by sight, hearing, smell or any mode by which one perceives stimuli outside or within the body.

sequencing

:
The arrangement in which things follow in a logical order or a recurrent pattern; a following of one thing after another in time.

setting

:
The time and place of the action of a literary work.

Shared Inquiry discussion

:

In Shared Inquiry discussion, participants help one another search for answers to fundamental questions raised by a text. Participants come to the discussion each with their own unique way of viewing the selection and then build on their personal views through a sharing of ideas.

The leader's role in this process is to provide direction and guidance for the discussion by asking questions for which they genuinely do not know the answer. Note that the leader is not an expert; the group should not look to the leader for answers. The leader assumes the role of co-learner and helps the group by asking interpretive questions that have more than one possible answer based on the text. The leader also assists the group by asking follow-up questions that encourage participants to clarify comments, support ideas with evidence from the reading, and comment on proposed interpretations.

The Four Rules of Shared Inquiry Discussion

1. Only those who have read the selection may take part in discussion.

Participants who have not read the selection cannot support their opinions with evidence from the text, nor can they bring knowledge of the text to bear on the opinions of others.

2. Discussion is restricted to the selection that everyone has read.

This rule gives everyone an equal chance to contribute because it limits discussion to a selection that all participants are familiar with and have before them. When the selection is the sole focus of discussion, it provides a base for all present to judge whether facts are accurately recalled and opinions can be supported by the reading.

3. All opinions should be supported with evidence from the selection.

Participants may introduce outside opinions only if they can restate those opinions in their own words and support the ideas with evidence from the reading.

4. Leaders may only ask questions-they may not answer them

The goal of a Shared Inquiry discussion is interpretation. As a participant in the discussion, you will gain more if you remember to:

• reserve judgment until you can claim understanding

• temper your urge to speak with the discipline to listen

• substitute your impulse to teach with a passion to learn

• hear what is said and listen for what is meant

• marry your certainties with others' possibilities

from The Great Books Foundation

. Leaders help participants and themselves to arrive at an understanding of the text by asking questions that prompt thoughtful inquiry.

sidebar

:
Supplementary information that is printed alongside the main text.

sight word

:
A word that is immediately recognized as a whole and does not require word analysis for identification.

simile

:
A figure of speech in which a comparison is made between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as" (e.g., she's as sly as a fox).

skim and scan

:
To examine or read something quickly, but selectively, for a particular purpose.

soliloquy

:
A speech, usually given alone on stage, in which a character speaks aloud his or her thoughts.

sound

:
the manipulation of language sounds

spondee

:
a two-syllable foot with both syllables stressed.

stanza

:
a part of a poem, based on form of meter and rhyme

static character

:
A character who does not change during a story.

stereotype

:

A character who possesses "expected" traits of a group rather than being an individual.

Using stereotypes is usually considered an indication of poor quality, especially in cases such as members of minority groups, people with disabilities, or women. However, stereotypes can be useful in furthering the story quickly and are acceptable in minor roles if they do not provide hurtful portraits of the groups in question.

stereotyping

:
A standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude or uncritical judgment.

stress

:
the emhasis given to certain syllables in words.

style

:
An author's distinctive manner of expression.

subplot

:
The secondary action of a story that reinforces or contrasts with the main plot.

suffix

:
An affix attached to the end of a base, root or stem that changes the meaning or grammatical function of a word, as -en added to form oxen.

suspense

:
A state of tension, a sense of uncertainty, an emotional pull which keeps the reader reading. All plots need some suspense to sustain interest.

symbol

:
A concrete thing used to suggest something larger and more abstract.

synonym

:

One of two or more words in a language that have similar meanings

Example:

  • answer and respond

syntax

:
The way in which sentences are formed; the grammatical rules that govern their formation; the pattern or structure of word order in sentences, clauses and phrases.

synthesizing question

:
A question that asks a responder to combine separate elements into one concept.

T

tale

:

A story for children that includes fantastic forces and elements of magic.

tautonym

:
1. A word composed of two identical parts

Examples:
  • pawpaw
  • yo-yo
  • tutu
  • bye-bye
2. In biological nomenclature, a taxonomic name in which the genus and species names are identical

Examples:
  • puffinus puffinus (manx shearwater)
  • apus apus (common swift)
• From Greek taut (=same)

tempo

:

The rate of speed in which a presentation is given.

testimonial

:
A propaganda technique based on quotations or endorsements from famous people, in or out of context, that attempts to connect a famous or respectable person with a product or item.

tetrameter

:
a four-foot line.

text features

:
Organizers of written materials such as indexes, prefaces, appendices, definitional footnotes, sidebars, tables of content, illustrations or photographs.

text structure

:
An author's method of organizing a text (e.g., sequencing, compare and contrast, cause and effect or problem-solution).

theme

:

The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. A theme may be stated or implied. Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves a statement or opinion about the topic. Not every literary work has a theme. Themes may be major or minor. A major theme is an idea the author returns to time and again. It becomes one of the most important ideas in the story. Minor themes are ideas that may appear from time to time.

It is important to recognize the difference between the theme of a literary work and the subject of a literary work. The subject is the topic on which an author has chosen to write. The theme, however, makes some statement about or expresses some opinion on that topic. For example, the subject of a story might be war while the theme might be the idea that war is useless.Four ways in which an author can express themes are as follows:

1. Themes are expressed and emphasized by the way the author makes us feel.. By sharing feelings of the main character you also share the ideas that go through his mind.

2. Themes are presented in thoughts and conversations. Authors put words in their character’s mouths only for good reasons. One of these is to develop a story’s themes. The things a person says are much on their mind. Look for thoughts that are repeated throughout the story.

3. Themes are suggested through the characters. The main character usually illustrates the most important theme of the story. A good way to get at this theme is to ask yourself the question, what does the main character learn in the course of the story?

4. The actions or events in the story are used to suggest theme. People naturally express ideas and feelings through their actions. One thing authors think about is what an action will "say". In other words, how will the action express an idea or theme?

thesis

:
The basic argument advanced by a speaker or writer who then attempts to prove it; the subject or major argument of a speech or composition.

third person narration

:
Narration in which the point of view is that of someone outside the story who refers to all characters by name or as "he," "she" and "they."

tone

:

The reflection of an author's attitude toward his or her subject.

topic

:
The general category or class of ideas, often stated in a word or phrase, to which the ideas of a passage as a whole belong.

topic sentence

:
A sentence intended to express the main idea in a paragraph or passage.

toponym

:
1. A place name

Examples:
  • London
  • Mount Everest

2. A word derived from a place name

Examples:
  • champagne from Champagne in France
  • cashmere from Kashmir in India.
• From Greek topos (=place).

transfer

:
A persuasive technique in which a product is associated with something attractive or respectable.

transitions

:
Words and phrases that help explain relationships between sentences and allow a reader or writer to move from one idea to another.

transitive verb

:
A verb that takes a direct object, as read in Francesca read the book.

trimeter

:
a three-foot line.

trochee

:
Array

U

unknown words

:
Words that are unfamiliar to a reader in both print and meaning.

V

validity

:
A truthful or factual condition; a logical argument; the evidence that the inferences drawn from test results are accurate.

Venn diagram

:
A mapping technique using overlapping circles showing features either unique or common to two or more concepts.

viewpoint

:
The stance or vantage point from which a story is narrated.

visual aid

:
An instructional device, such as a chart, map, diagram, cutaway or overlay, that helps a reader to comprehend information.

voice

:
In many languages, a syntactic pattern that indicates the verb-subject relationship; the principal voices in English and many other languages are active and passive.

W

word families

:
Groups of words with clear relationships (e.g., specify, specifies, and specification).

word orgins

:
origins The history or etymology of words; the meanings of roots and affixes.

word recognition

:
The process of determining the pronunciation and some degree of meaning of a word in written or printed form; the quick and easy identification of the form, pronunciation and appropriate meaning of a word previously seen in print or writing.

workplace documents

:
Job-related nonfiction materials such as memoranda, meeting minutes and travel schedules.

Page:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  (Next)
ALL