Whirligig Grammar Vocabulary Mrs Russell English I Oxymoron

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. ”