1. Ncfe TERMS

2. Claim
The overall thesis the writer will argue for

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

4. Rhetoric
the ability to use language effectively, often to persuade

5. 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.

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

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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.”.

11. 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.

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

13. 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”

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

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

16. mood
The feeling created in the reader

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

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

19. Syntax
The arrangement of words in a sentence

20. 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.”

21. 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

22. Anecdote
A brief story that reveals something about the author

23. 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."

24. Assertion
A claim or statement that lacks evidence or proof

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

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

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

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

29. 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.

30. 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

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

32. Imply
to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated

33. 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.

34. 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

35. pessimistic
Having a negative outlook or a cynical view

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

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

38. 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.