1. Whirligig Grammar Vocabulary
Mrs. Russell
English I

2. Oxymoron
Two contradictory words that appear to be opposite but are true
Example: wise fool, jumbo shrimp

3. Connotation Implied meaning of a word
Example: house vs home (connotative)

4. Denotation The dictionary definition of a word
Example: house (denotative) vs home

5. Hyperbole
Exaggeration
Example: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!

6. Imagery
Details or figurative language to describe something using the 5 senses

7. Euphemism
Greek for “good speech”; more agreeable and less offensive word choice
Example: earthly remains vs corpse

8. Idiom Regional speech or dialect
Example: Southerners saying… “Well, dead gummit, I gotta get back to work y’all.”

9. Symbolism Event, thing, or person that represents an idea
Example: A dove representing peace; color green representing money or envy

10. Metaphor
Comparison
Example: “David was a ninja in battle.”

11. Simile Comparison using like or as
Example: “Her eyes shined like diamonds.”

12. Personification Giving human attributes/emotion
Example: “The ground thirsted for rain.”

13. Repetition Duplication for effect / emphasis
Example: Poe using the phrase “nevermore, nevermore” in The Raven

14. Pun
Play on words
Example: The agreeable tennis umpire was generous to a fault.

15. Foil
A character who contrasts the main character

16. 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

17. Declarative Sentence
States an idea; doesn’t give command; doesn’t ask a question
Example: “Today is really hot.”

18. Interrogative Sentence
Asks a direct question
Example: “What time is it?”

19. Exclamatory Sentence Expresses strong emotion
Example: “Grrrr, You are getting on my nerves!”

20. Imperative Sentence Gives a command
Example: “Please go clean your room.”