Preview of Literary Terms 41-45
41. loaded words Definition: Intended to be used as an emotional appeal, loaded words evoke strongly positive or negative reactions beyond their literal meaning. Note: Connotation is everything in loaded words.
Example: ignorant The actual etymological breakdown the denotation of the word ignorant is literally not knowing. Think about the connotation of ignorant. Why is this a loaded word?
Example: film versus movie Movie Critic Vincent Canby has noticed that the word film has become imbued with a good deal of snootiness that is not to be found in the word movie.
Example: concentration camp A concentration camp is a term that literally just refers to a camp in which many people are "concentrated" in one area. There is nothing inherently evil about the term, but it is now seen as synonymous with the death camps of Nazi Germany.
Example: concentration camp There is nothing inherently evil about the term, but it is now seen as synonymous with the death camps of Nazi Germany.
42. metaphor Etymology: meta : change/across phor : (from fer =carry) Literally, carrying across
42. metaphor Definition: comparison of two unlike things (i.e., the meaning of one word is carried across or changed across to another)
Common examples of metaphors:
He has a heart of stone.
He has the heart of a lion.
You are the sun in my sky.
You are the light in my life, the apple of my eye
It is raining cats and dogs.
The Thorn (a metaphor poem) I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne And begged him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own. I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart I cried, But Lord this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart. This is a strange, a hurtful gift, which Thou hast given me. He said, My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee. I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore, As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more. I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace, He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.
43. metonymy Etymology: meto is from meta : change/across nym : name Literally, to change the name
43. metonymy Definition: A figure of speech in which the name of one thing used in place of another that is associated with it.
Example of metonymy When Mr. Lunsford says, Good morning, Dragons, he is substituting the word Dragons for the closely related HHS students.
Example of metonymy "The B.L.T. left without paying." (waitress referring to a customer)
Example of metonymy "The pen is mightier than the sword," meaning literary power is superior to military force.
Example of metonymy "The House was called to order," meaning the members in the House.
44. moral The significance of a story or event: The moral of the story is to love thy neighbor.
Aesop s Fables A FAMISHED FOX saw some clusters of ripe black grapes hanging from a trellised vine. She resorted to all her tricks to get at them, but wearied herself in vain, for she could not reach them. At last she turned away, hiding her disappointment and saying: "The Grapes are sour, and not ripe as I thought."
The moral of The Fox and the Grapes : Any fool can despise what she cannot get.
45. non sequitur Etymology: not sequenced Literal translation: It does not follow. Like ad hominem argument, non sequitur involves faulty logic.
Examples of non sequitur: 1. All cows graze in fields. 2. All cows see the moon at night. 3. All cows can jump over the moon.
Examples of non sequitur: Premise A: "God is love. Premise B: "Love is blind." Premise C: "Ray Charles is blind." Non sequitur conclusion: Ray Charles is God."
Examples of non sequitur: "If you buy this car, your family will be safer."
Examples of non sequitur: "I hear the rain falling outside my window; therefore, the sun is not shining."