Ncfe TERMS

Claim The overall thesis the writer will argue for

Counterclaim A claim that negates or disagrees with the thesis/claim

Rhetoric the ability to use language effectively, often to persuade

Rhetorical Devices techniques that an author or speaker uses to convey to the listener or reader a meaning with the goal of persuading him or her towards considering a topic from a different perspective Metaphors, hyperbole, irony, rhetorical questions, etc.

Emotional Appeal The use of emotions used to persuade or pull at the audience’s heartstrings (Pathos) Using children, animals, etc.

Logical Appeal the use of logical ideas to appeal to the audience (Logos) Usually facts, statistics, etc.

Ethical Appeal (ethos)describes the guiding tenets that characterize a community, nation, or ideology; it may also appeal to the author's credibility. It is an appeal based on the character of the speaker. Right or wrong

Parallelism (Parallel Structure) When words or phrases appear in the same position “With malice toward none, with charity for all: with firmness I the right, as God gives us to see the right…” She loves going to the store, to the park, and to the beach.

antithesis the placing of a sentence or one of its parts against another to which it is opposed to form a balanced contrast of ideas, as in “Give me liberty or give me death.”.

restatement to state again or in a new way Ex. She hates to attend class, she abhors working at school, and she loathes all school- related tasks, etc.

aphorism A short, witty statement that reveals a general truth about life Ex. “Fish and visitors smell in three days.”

allusion A reference to literature, a historical event, or a famous person that the author assumes the reader will recognize Ex. When Patrick Henry refers to the sirens in his “Speech to the Virginia Convention”

Diction Word choice “…upon the vacant, eyelike windows…few white decayed trees-with an utter depression of the soul…”

Tone The attitude that the author or poet has towards his or her work (See tone sheet)

mood The feeling created in the reader

Author’s Purpose Why the author wrote the piece To entertain, to inform, to persuade, etc.

Figurative Language speech or writing that departs from literal meaning in order to achieve a special effect or meaning Hyperbole, simile, metaphors, etc.

Syntax The arrangement of words in a sentence

paradox A statement, while it appears self- contradictory, expresses a general truth and makes sense Ex. “Success is counted sweetest by those who never succeed.”

Allegorical (Allegory) a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another Ex. The animals in Animal Farm represent leaders during the Russian revolution; The Crucible also represents the witch hunts during McCarthyism

Anecdote A brief story that reveals something about the author

Metaphorically something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else; emblem; symbol “Women may in the first place even have put it into his head. BE A MAN! may have been, metaphorically, what Eve uttered at the critical moment in the Garden of Eden."

Assertion A claim or statement that lacks evidence or proof

parody a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing

Satirical (Satire) Using humor or wit to criticize for the purpose to improve or change

Theme The central idea in a story; the main lesson learned

Convey and Exemplify To show or illustrate; to point out or carry out

Epitomize To illustrate using a perfect example Ex. Since she cooks, cleans, and serves, she epitomizes what a 1950’s housewife was at the time.

Idiom an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements, as kick the bucket  or hang one's head,  or from the general grammatical rules of a language a language, dialect, or style of speaking peculiar to a people

infer To conclude or judge by evidence; to hint; imply; suggest

Imply to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated

Objective Objective information reviews many points of view. It is intended to be unbiased. News reporters are supposed to be objective and report the facts of an event. Encyclopedias and other reference materials provide objective information.

Subjective Subjective information is one person's opinion. In a newspaper, the editorial section is the place for subjectivity. It can be based on fact, but it is one person's interpretation of that fact. Can be biased

pessimistic Having a negative outlook or a cynical view

optImistic Having a positive outlook; seeing the best in situations or in people and things

Connotation The suggested meaning of a word Does it have a positive or negative connotation (meaning)?

characterization In literature, it refers to the step by step process wherein an author introduces and then describes a character. The character can be described directly by the author or indirectly through the actions, thoughts, and speech of the character.