The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.

Tone word meaning "teaching," or "instructing;" often has connotation of doing so sternly or condescendingly

The major category into which a literary or nonfiction work fits.

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. Connotations may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes.

A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.

Clause that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence

A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle.

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.

It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (language that might be described as “show-offy”; using big words for the sake of using big words).

The opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. This independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. The effect of this sentence is to add emphasis and structural variety.

In literature or nonfiction, the perspective from which a story is told.

From the Greek meaning “to tear flesh,” this function involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.

From the Greek for “reckoning together,” this is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called “major” and the second called “minor”) that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion

Refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness

From the Greek for “good speech,” these are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

Speech given in praise of someone or something

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.

The ironic minimizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is.

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer.

An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.

The author’s attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.

The existence of two contradictory or conflicting items, ideas, images, emotions, and so forth.

Intentionally contrasting two items, images, or ideas to show how different they are.

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

The opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.

This word group contains both a subject and a verb (plus any accompanying phrases or modifiers), but it cannot stand alone.

Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else.

A figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or, occasionally, the whole is used to represent a part.

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.

Repetition at the beginning of sentences or, in verse, lines.

Syntactical structure in which the speaker or writer lists things.

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.