English 10 Vocabulary Terms

Abstract  Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.

Concrete  definite and specific  Objects or events that are available to the senses

Imagery  The use of words to help us form picture in our minds. The descriptions usually appeal to the five senses. A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the Milky Way

Tone  The general feeling or attitude expressed in a piece of writing, a speech, an activity etc

Diction  The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing

Figurative / Figurative Language  a figurative word or phrase is used in a different way from its usual meaning, to give you a particular idea or picture in your mind

Extended Metaphor  "I graduated from the University of Life. All right? I received a degree from the School of Hard Knocks. And our colors were black and blue, baby. I had office hours with the Dean of Bloody Noses. All right? I borrowed my class notes from Professor Knuckle Sandwich and his Teaching Assistant, Ms. Fat Lip Thon Nyun. That’s the kind of school I went to for real, okay?" ~(Will Ferrell, Commencement Address at Harvard University, 2003)  A comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph or lines in a poem.

Implied Metaphor  A subtle, indirect comparison without directly stating the object.  Shut your trap.  He ruffled his feathers.

Simile  an expression that describes something by comparing it with something else, using the words 'as' or 'like', for example 'as white as snow'

Personification  A figure of speech in which an inanimate object or abstraction is endowed with human qualities or abilities.

Literal  the literal meaning of a word or expression is its basic or original meaning

Subtext  a hidden or second meaning behind someone's words or action

Denotation The dictionary definition of a word house noun hous/ 1. a building for human habitation, especially one that is lived in by a family or small group of people. synonyms:residence, home, place of residence; homestead; a roof over one's head; formalhabitation, dwelling (place), abode, domicile "a new development with 200 houses" the people living in a house; a household. "do you want the whole house woken up?" synonyms:household, family, occupants; More a family or family lineage, especially a noble or royal one; a dynasty. noun: House "the power and prestige of the house of Stewart" synonyms:family, clan, tribe; More a building in which animals live or in which things are kept. "a reptile house" 2. a building in which people meet for a particular activity. "a house of prayer"

Connotation  The emotional reaction a word causes

LET’S REVIEW!

WHAT IS IT?  Jane is a tiger on the basketball court.

METAPHOR Jane’s ability to play basketball is compared to a tiger - and the connotation of a tiger.

WHAT IS IT?  Serious, humorous, sarcastic, ironic, solemn, objective – to name a few.

TONE The attitude of a writer or character.

WHAT IS IT? Wall: an upright structure which encloses something or serves as a boundary.

DENOTATION The literal, dictionary meaning of a word.

WHAT IS IT?  Sue flits through life like a moth in a room of candles.

SIMILE  Compares two things – Sue and a moth’s behavior – using the word LIKE.

WHAT IS IT? All the world’s a stage And all them en and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts.

EXTENDED METAPHOR  The metaphor is comparing life to acting, this extends that comparison by explaining how.  The world is a stage  People are actors (on that stage)  They have exits (death) and entrances (birth)  One person – YOU – play many parts.

WHAT IS IT? The giant tree was ablaze with the orange, red, and yellow leaves that were beginning to make their decent to the ground.

IMAGERY