Unit 2: Additional Literary Terms

Words that have similar meanings are called synonyms.

Words that have opposite meanings are called antonyms.

To bring readers to accept an analysis or interpretation, a writer may develop it with varied types of appeals:
• Appeals to Authority: calls upon the opinions of experts

Word analogies match the relationship in one pair of words with that in another.

Using hyperbole, or exaggeration, a writer describes people, things, or events as if they were much more important than they are—for instance, calling the discovery of a missing sock a "joyous reunion."

Using understatement, a writer speaks of people, things, or events as if they were less important than they are—for instance, saying that "the weather was less than ideal" after a violent storm carries off picnic tables.

When a writer uses humor to point out the foolishness of a particular type of human behavior or of a particular institution, the result is called satire.

Diction, or word choice, is another literary element that contributes to humor.

To do so, they consider a word's connotation—the set of ideas associated with it—as well as the word's denotation, or definition.

As you read the selections, consider the connotations of the authors' diction and analyze how precise word choices contribute to both humorous meaning and tone, or the expression of the writer's attitude toward his or her subject and reader.

The etymology, or history of a word, can often be traced back through the centuries to its origin in an ancient language.

Cultural context refers to the traditions, beliefs, and history of the society from which an author hails or within which a literary work is set.

Cultural context refers to the traditions, beliefs, and history of the society from which an author hails or within which a literary work is set.

Write a persuasive essay about the effects of media on viewers' perceptions of reality.

With chronological order you describe the sequence of events that lead to a situation or result.

Passive Voice: Entertainment magazines are read by many people.

Active Voice: Many people read entertainment magazines.

A theme is the central message or insight expressed in a literary work.

Write an autobiographical narrative in which you describe how intuition or a hunch influenced a decision you made, and how that decision worked out.

Description is the use of sensory details to create a word picture or mental image.

Share your findings in a short report that includes visual images as examples.

Write an essay in which you explain how different types of maps help us see different aspects of the world.

Then, write several paragraphs in which you explain your findings.

A simile is a figure of speech that uses the words like, as, or than to draw a comparison between two apparently unlike things.

Share your findings in an annotated slide presentation.