Whirligig Grammar Vocabulary Mrs. Russell English I

Oxymoron Two contradictory words that appear to be opposite but are true Example: wise fool, jumbo shrimp

Connotation Implied meaning of a word Example: house vs home (connotative)

Denotation The dictionary definition of a word Example: house (denotative) vs home

Hyperbole Exaggeration Example: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!

Imagery Details or figurative language to describe something using the 5 senses

Euphemism Greek for “good speech”; more agreeable and less offensive word choice Example: earthly remains vs corpse

Idiom Regional speech or dialect Example: Southerners saying… “Well, dead gummit, I gotta get back to work y’all.”

Symbolism Event, thing, or person that represents an idea Example: A dove representing peace; color green representing money or envy

Metaphor Comparison Example: “David was a ninja in battle.”

Simile Comparison using like or as Example: “Her eyes shined like diamonds.”

Personification Giving human attributes/emotion Example: “The ground thirsted for rain.”

Repetition Duplication for effect / emphasis Example: Poe using the phrase “nevermore, nevermore” in The Raven

Pun Play on words Example: The agreeable tennis umpire was generous to a fault.

Foil A character who contrasts the main character

Tone Describes the author’s attitude toward his material, the audience, or both Example: “The twins looked really cute at the birthday party!” – sarcasm and insulting

Declarative Sentence States an idea; doesn’t give command; doesn’t ask a question Example: “Today is really hot.”

Interrogative Sentence Asks a direct question Example: “What time is it?”

Exclamatory Sentence Expresses strong emotion Example: “Grrrr, You are getting on my nerves!”

Imperative Sentence Gives a command Example: “Please go clean your room.”