Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Lit terms #2

1. Circumlocution- (n) a roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.
The con man tried to use circumlocution to avoid explaining his real intentions to the wealthy couple.

2. Classicism- (n) the principles or styles characteristic of the literature and art of ancient Greece and Rome.
I was surprised to the extent which Baldwin, known mainly for contemporary dance, had embraced classicism - both steps and tutus.

3. Cliche- (n) a trite, stereotyped expression
- It is a cliche that children today think that vegetables come from the store, in cans or plastic bags.

4. Climax- (n) the highest or most intense point inthe development or resolution ofsomething; culmination 
- His careerreached its climax when he was elected president.

5. Colloquialism- (n) a word or phrase that is not formal or literary, typically one used in ordinary or familiar conversation.
The Pelican has used an English colloquialism which has a similar meaning.

6. Comedy- (n) a play, movie, etc., of light and humorous character with a happy or cheerful ending; a dramatic work in which the central motif is the triumph over adverse circumstance, resulting in a successful or happy conclusion.
Writing and performing stand-up comedy is life's blood for Russ.

7. Conflict- (v) to come into collision or disagreement; be contradictory, at variance, or in opposition; clash: 
    • -The account of one eyewitness conflicted with that of the other. 
    • 8. Connotation- (n) the associated or secondary meaning of a word or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning: A possible connotation of “home” is “a place of warmth, comfort, and affection.”
    • Why does the term carry such negative connotations for me?
    • 9. Contrast (v)- to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc., of
    • -Contrast the political rights of Romans and Greeks.
    • 10. Denotation- (n) the explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a word or expression
    • The denotation of a word translates the word to its literal meaning.
    • 11. Denouement (n)- the final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel.
    • Denouement of the story is, ahem, the Chelsea Flower Show!
    • 12. Dialect- (n) a provincial, rural, or socially distinct variety of a language that differs from the standard language, especially when considered as substandard.
    • Scots has a wide range of dialects.
    • 13. Dialectics- (adj) of, pertaining to, or of the nature of logical argumentation
    • Like all empiricists you worship the fact, rather than understanding the dialectic of history.
    • 14. Dichotomy- (n) division into two parts, kinds, etc.;subdivision into halves or pairs.
    • dichotomy of views is urgently needed on the immediate horizon.
    • 15. Diction-(n) style of speaking or writing as dependent upon choice of words
    • This helps to improve diction, organize what they want to say and focus on the main points of interest.
    • 16. Didactic(adj)- intended for instruction; instructive
    • It appeared to be didactic in nature.
    • 17. Dogmatic(adj)- asserting opinions in a doctrinaire or arrogant manner; opinionated.
    • Dogmatic that the universe is meaningless, especially when so few people around you really believe it.
    • 18. Elegy- (n) a mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead.
    • The film is a beautiful elegy on being different.
    • 19. Epic (adj)- noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style
    • Homer's Iliad is an epic poem.
    • 20. Epigram- (n) any witty, ingenious, or pointed saying tersely expressed.
    • He is the long man with the short epigram.
    • 21. Epitaph(n) a brief poem or other writing in praise of a deceased person.
    • Epitaphs on the headstones still visible.
    • 22. Epithet (n) a word, phrase, or expression used invectively as a term of abuse or contempt, to express hostility, etc.
    • The branches bear horrific sharp axillary spines, as is suggested by the specific epithet ( Gibson 1999 ).
    • 23. Euphemism- (n) the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
    • The phrase has become aeuphemism for the erosion of workers' basic rights.
    • 24. Evocative- (n) tending to evoke
    • - The perfume was evocative of spring.

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