Unit 3: Part 4 Vocabulary & Literary Terms

And to the end that their virtue and discretion may not be short, transient, intermitting starts of thought, I have resolved to refresh their memories from day to day, till I have recovered them out of that desperate state of vice and folly into which the age is fallen.

The mind that lies fallow but a single day sprouts up in follies that are only to be killed by a constant and assiduous culture.

In the next place, I would recommend this paper to the daily perusal of those gentlemen whom I cannot but consider as my good brothers and allies, I mean the fraternity of spectators, who live in the world without having anything to do in it; and either by the affluence of their fortunes or laziness of their dispositions have no other business with the rest of mankind but to look upon them.

Under this class of men are comprehended all contemplative tradesmen, titular physicians, fellows of the Royal Society, Templars that are not given to be contentious, and statesmen that are out of business; in short, everyone that considers the world as a theater, and desires to form a right judgment of those who are the actors on it.

I hope to increase the number of these by publishing this daily paper, which I shall always endeavor to make an innocent if not an improving entertainment, and by that means at least divert the minds of my female readers from greater trifles.

At the same time, as I would fain give some finishing touches to those which are already the most beautiful pieces in human nature, I shall endeavor to point all those imperfections that are the blemishes, as well as those virtues which are the embellishments, of the sex.

An essay is a short work of nonfiction that explores a specific topic and conveys an author's ideas and opinions.

Formal essays use a serious tone and dignified language, and often analyze public issues or important events.

Informal essays, also called personal essays, use a more casual tone and explore everyday topics in a relaxed, conversational style.

A narrative essay tells a true story about real people or events.

A persuasive essay, also called an argumentative essay, tries to persuade the reader to accept the writer's opinion or to take a course of action.

A persuasive essay, also called an argumentative essay, tries to persuade the reader to accept the writer's opinion or to take a course of action.

A descriptive essay, sometimes called an observational essay, uses sensory details to create a portrait of a person, a place, or an object.

An expository essay presents information or discusses an idea.

Theme: the main insight into life conveyed by a work

Style: the author's distinctive way of writing; the overall "sound" of a work

Tone: the author's attitude toward his or her subject or audience, as expressed in word choice, sentence structure, and so on

Reflective Essay: In this unit, thought-provoking essays by Joseph Addison and Richard Rodriguez offer revealing glimpses of each writer's personality.

• Ironic tone: a good tone to use when your details show that things do not always work out as expected or intended

• Humorous tone: a logical choice when your examples are amusing

An oral interpretation is an oral reading of a literary work that conveys the presenter's understanding of the nuances of a text.

• Imagery: descriptions that appeal to the senses

Nuance and Ambiguity: Literature can be interpreted in many ways.

Nuance and Ambiguity: Literature can be interpreted in many ways.