Unit 1 Intersection in the New World
alienation
separation between a person and an object or place of devotion or attachment; withdrawal of affection by a person who was once loved
antagonist
a fictional character who creates problems for others and advances the conflict of the story
archaic
popular or used in the past, but no longer in widespread use
argument
the main idea presented in support of a claim in an essay
audience
the intended readers of your essay
authenticity
the genuineness or legitimacy of something
body politic
the people of a community, nation, or other organized entity
captivity narrative
a personal and historical account of capture and captivity told in retrospect
captivity narrative
personal account of captivity
claim
the main assertion in your essay that supports the argument
connotation
a cultural or emotional association applied to a word
context
the setting that surrounds an event or idea; in vocabulary, the sentences surrounding a word
controversial
referring to something causing people to have opposing views
convention
a way of thinking or behaving that is widely used or accepted among a particular group of people
couplet
two lines of a poem or verse that express an idea, often having the same meter and rhyme
diction
word choice and its influence on a writer’s style or intent
disparity
a significant difference or inequality between people, groups of people, things, or ideas
ethnocentrism
the belief that the group to which an individual belongs is superior to other groups
evidence
something proven; proof of a claim or position one takes on an issue
excommunication
the state of being banned or shut off from the church
explicit meaning
the meaning of a word fully revealed without any vagueness or ambiguity
feminist literature
any work of fiction, drama, or poetry that portrays women characters with free will who seek out gender equality and experience all human emotions
Great Awakening
a religious revitalization movement that swept colonial New England in the 1730s and 1740s, characterized by a deep sense of spiritual commitment and a personal connection with God
habitation
a place to live
heathen
a person or group not devoted to God and teachings of the Bible; non-Christian considered to be uncivilized
heresy
an opinion or doctrine contrary to church dogma
homage
a tribute intended to honor a person whose contribution to the world has had a significant and positive influence
imagery
figurative language such as metaphors and similes used to create a mental picture of an abstract idea
implied meaning
the meaning of a word understood, though unexpressed, usually through connotations and imagery
indentured
referring to a state of debt bondage, in which a person is given passage to a new location, clothing, food, lodging, and job-training, in return for which the person works as a servant without pay for a certain number of years, after which the person goes free
inference
a conclusion or opinion formed from known facts or evidence
interpretation
a particular or individual understanding of information or events
inviolable
safe from being changed or violated; often a synonym for sacred
invocation
the summoning of a divine being or the supernatural
irony
a literary device in which what appears to be true is different from what is really true
literary criticism
the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literary works
meter
the pattern of rhythm in a poem or verse
narrative
type of writing that recounts important events in the order in which they happened
paradox
a contradictory statement or set of ideals
persecution
to punish or drive away someone because of their religious, ethnic, or customary belief system
personification
the giving of an animal, thing, or abstract idea characteristics of a human being
poetic devices
parts of a poem that include word choice, imagery, figurative language, tone, sound, and rhythm all used to convey the meaning of the poem
point of view
the author’s position in relation to the story being told
predestination
the belief that God has already decided one's fate in advance and that humans can do nothing to change their fate
propaganda
rumors deliberately made to spread fear and anxiety
protagonist
the central character of a story
Protestantism
the body of doctrine that protests against the universal authority of the Pope and which affirms justification by faith alone, the priesthood of all believers, and the primacy of the Bible as the only source of revealed truth
providence
a belief in God as the divine guide of human destiny
Puritan doctrine
the idea that those who have faith in Christ, adhering to the teachings of the Bible, will receive God’s grace
Puritan literature
poetry and prose based on Bible references and the glorification of God, intended to educate others regarding who will be “saved” by the one God and to create one well-educated Puritan culture in the New World
Puritan plain style
a direct style of writing that uses simple sentences and everyday language
Puritan religion
theology and beliefs practiced by Protestants who broke from the Church of England to follow the Calvinist doctrine to “purify” the church and interpret the literal understanding of the Bible
Puritans
Christians who wanted to purify the Church of England
purpose
the main reason for writing your essay, such as explaining, describing, or persuading
reasoning
the process of forming conclusions from the evidence presented in an essay
remove
residence or location that is frequently changed
rhetorical features
the choice of words, phrases, and other textual features that contribute to the style of writing and reinforce meaning
rhetorical style
methods of organizing and presenting thoughts in writing
satire
a device in a literary work intended to scorn or ridicule immoral and foolish human behavior by using description or dialog that keenly articulates ironic humor
Separatists
Christians who separated from the Church of England because they believed it was corrupt
setting
the place where a story begins; the environment and surroundings of a particular action scene
slave narrative
a literary form in which slaves wrote true accounts about their experiences
structure
how the words of a poem are arranged, pertaining to a specific literary genre; the organization of the stanzas, which relies upon meter and rhythm and which develops patterns for emphasis in meaning
symbolism
the use of something, such as an object, name, or color that stands for another idea, quality, or thing
theme
the subject of the poem; the topic the poet wants to present, more than one of which may be present to convey the full meaning of the poem
thesis
the main topic of an essay; a strongly written statement that presents the premise of an essay
tone
the poet's expression of mood and emotion, demonstrated through word choice; the poet's attitude toward the subject of the poem
tone
the attitude an author takes toward his or her subject or audience
unorthodox
not conforming to accepted practices or beliefs, especially in religion
usage
how something is used; in grammar, how words are used
Unit 2 Becoming a Nation
adverse
oppositional, unfavorable, contrary
allay
to ease
almanac
an annual publication containing a calendar for the coming year, the times of sunrises and sunsets, phases of the moon, tides, and other statistical information and related topics
American Exceptionalism
the proposition that the United States is different from other countries in that it has a specific world mission to spread liberty and democracy
annotation
a note made while reading a text
apprehension
worry; anxiety
argument
the main idea presented in support of a claim in an essay
audience
the readers, viewers, or hearers
avarice
greed
Bill of Rights
the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States that ensure freedoms and set limits on governmental powers
claim
the main assertion in your essay; supports the argument
clarity
ease of understanding
clause
in grammar, a group of words that includes a subject and a verb
connotation
an emotional or cultural association attached to a word or phrase
connotative
a suggested or implied meaning
context clues
identifying a word’s meaning by examining the surrounding sequence of words
Continental Congress
a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution
convention
a way of thinking or behaving that is widely used or accepted among a particular group of people
denotation
the literal meaning attributed to a word or phrase
diction
word choice
diffuse
to disseminate or spread over a large area
emphasis
stress applied to a word or passage when speaking
ethical
following accepted conduct concerning what is right and wrong
evidence
the information presented in an essay to support an argument and claim(s)
explicit
an idea that has been fully or clearly expressed
faction
a group of self-interested individuals trying to promote their interests
figurative language
symbolic or specially expressed language used to create a dramatic image
haughty
arrogant, snobbish, vainly proud, or self-important
infer
to deduce an idea using indirect evidence
inference
a conclusion drawn based on hints, suggestions, or the interpretation of evidence found in a text
inflection
an alteration of the pitch or tone of the voice
insupportable
unbearable
latent
something present but undeveloped
mercantilism
the idea that colonies existed for the benefit of the Mother Country
metamorphosis
a dramatic change in physical form, structure, or substance
nominal
in name only (not in actions or behavior)
paraphrase
to restate someone else's ideas in your own words
personification
the attaching of human-like characteristics to nonhuman entities; a type of figurative language
phrase
in grammar, a group of words that do not include a subject and verb, functioning together as a part of a sentence
point of view
the position from which something is observed or expressed
preamble
a preliminary statement, especially in a formal document to explain its purpose
profligacy
the act of being wildly extravagant and/or foolishly wasteful
Protestant work ethic
a concept in Puritanism that emphasizes hard work, frugality, and prosperity as a demonstration of a person's salvation
purpose
the main reason for writing an essay, such as explaining, describing, or persuading
quote
to use the exact words of someone else
ramparts
fortifications; protective wall or barrier
reasoning
the act or process of drawing conclusions from facts and evidence
reference materials
sources of information that can be cited to check the validity of statements and gain valuable knowledge
rhetoric
written or spoken words that are intended to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations
rhetoric
persuasive speaking or writing
rhetorical devices
techniques an author uses to create literary effects, for example, word choice, style, tone, figurative language
secular
separate from religious
seminal text
a literary work that is a first in its area and that has strongly influenced other, later works or movements
significance
importance; influence on situations, people, or actions
specious
deceptive; seemingly pleasing or good but actually false and misleading
Stamp Act
legislation that raised money to support the British army stationed in America by requiring Americans to buy stamps for things like newspapers, legal documents, and other items
steeped
soaked in, as a tea bag in a cup of boiled water
technical language
language that is specialized to achieve a specific purpose
theme
a topic of discourse or discussion, often expressed as a phrase, proposition, or question
thesis
the statement of your argument
thruppence
three pence, or three pennies, three cents
tone
a manner or expression of speech or writing; the attitude expressed by a writer toward the subject, the characters, or the audience
tone
the writer's attitude as conveyed through word choice and style
variegated
very diverse or different in several or many ways
vauntingly
boastfully
Venn diagram
organizational tool that uses intersecting circles to illustrate the similarities, differences, and relationships between different groups
viz
Latin; abbreviation for videlicet- meaning "that is" or "namely" used to introduce examples, lists, or items
volume
the loudness or softness of a sound
Unit 3 American Romanticism
abolitionist
one who advocates and participates in the beliefs and efforts necessary to end slavery
abolitionist movement
a pre-Civil War movement that rallied around the goal of the immediate emancipation of African slaves
aesthetic
the presentation of a text as it impacts the reader’s emotions; feelings about images, sounds, and ideas
allegory
any type of literature in which characters, places, or plot events represent abstract ideas or qualities, or represent other people or events
allusion
a literary technique in which an author refers back to a famous literary work or historical event
analogy
a comparison between two or more items in a text or texts – such as theme, characters, or plot – to show the similarities between them
analyze
to carefully examine a literary work to better understand and appreciate the meaning of the text
antagonist
a character who creates problems for others and advances the conflict of the story
antonym
a word opposite in meaning to another
author's purpose
the reason why an author writes a work, such as to entertain, inform, persuade or explain
autobiography
a person’s written account of his or her own life
bias
a preference that is usually a one-sided perspective or prejudice
character
the person or animal who plays a role in the plot of a literary work, who may either change or remain the same throughout a story
characterization
the techniques an author uses to describe what a particular character says, feels, thinks, or does
civil disobedience
the deliberate refusal to obey laws that contradict one's personal convictions
climax
a conflict or struggle that is the high point of interest or suspense in the plot
close reading
a detailed examination of a text
connotative meaning
the meanings and feelings we associate with a word, as opposed to the dictionary definition of that word
context
the setting that surrounds an event or idea; in vocabulary, the sentences surrounding a word
definition
the meaning(s) of a word
denotative meaning
the actual, dictionary definition of a word
direct address
in which an author writes in such a way that he or she seems to be talking to the reader directly
essay
a short nonfiction work about a particular subject
etymology
the origin and history of a word or phrase
explicit meaning
the meaning of a word fully revealed without any vagueness or ambiguity
extemporaneously
spoken without a specific script
figurative language
using non-literal words and phrases to draw attention to a thing's qualities, themes, or symbolic meaning
free verse
poetry that reproduces the rhythm of speech, not having a regular rhyme scheme or meter
Gothicism
a category of American Romanticism, including elements of mystery, horror, superstition, and revenge
iamb
a type of rhythmic pattern in a poem in which one unstressed syllable or beat is followed by a stressed syllable; e.g., begin
idealist
one who is guided by belief that the value of imagination and reason exceed practical knowledge and living with that influence
imagery
the descriptive or figurative language used to create word pictures that appeal to the reader’s imagination
implied meaning
the meaning of a word understood, though unexpressed, usually through connotations and imagery
infer
to come to a conclusion through reasoning and deduction, rather than from reference to direct evidence
inference
a conclusion or opinion formed from known facts or evidence
informational text
nonfiction text that provides information about an event, person, or process
irony
the difference between what appears to be true and what is really true in a work of literature
literary interpretation
the meaning, supported by evidence, that a reader finds in text
lyceum
an organization that sponsors educational events; part of the Enlightenment movement's efforts to expand knowledge beyond the elite; widespread in eighteenth-century America
lyric poem
a poem that express the personal feelings or thoughts of a speaker
metaphor
a form of figurative language in which one thing is compared to another to draw out a certain quality, idea, or symbolic meaning
meter
the pattern of rhythm in a poem or verse
mood
the feeling that a work of literature creates, established by descriptive details
motif
an object, character, idea, theme, phrase, or action that occurs over and over in a work of literature
narrative arc
a type of writing that recounts important events in the order in which they happened
parallel plot
in which a story has two or more plot lines happening at the same time, linked by common themes or characters
patriot
one who is devoted to love for his or her country, who honors and supports that country's authority
personification
the giving of an animal, thing, or abstract idea characteristics of a human being
pivot point
the point in a story or novel where a character's fortunes change, for better or for worse; the turning point of the novel, from which point the story drives towards a conclusion
plot
the order of events in a literary work
poetry of reform and dissent
poetry written to communicate political themes, including political agitation, dissent, and protest, e.g., abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier
point of view
the perspective from which the author tells a story to the reader
pronunciation
how to say a word
purpose
object, goal, or intention
Reform
a category of American Romanticism, through which reform writers supported the fight against slavery in America
rhetorical question
a question that is asked without the expectation of an answer, usually because the answer is assumed to be obvious
Romantic Movement
an artistic movement in Europe and America that emphasized individualism, feeling, emotion, and the power of nature
Romanticism
a literary movement focused on individualism, nature, emotion over logic, and the importance of freedom
serial
a story or novel told bit by bit in publications such as newspapers or magazines
setting
the time and place when the action in a work of literature takes place
simile
figurative language in which one thing is compared to another using a word such as "like" or "as"
slave narrative
a literary form in which slaves wrote true accounts about their experiences
style
an author's use of distinctive language and literary devices
symbol
a person, place, thing, or event that represents something else
symbolic
in which an object or character embodies a particular idea or theme
symbolism
the use of something, such as an object, name, or color that stands for another idea, quality, or thing
synecdoche
a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole
synonym
a word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another
text structure
the way an author arranges the components of a literary work
theme
the important idea or ideas about life in a literary work, of which there can be several in a novel, story, play or poem
thesis
the main topic of an essay; a strongly written statement that supports the premise of an essay
tone
the writer's attitude as conveyed through word choice and style
Transcendentalism
a category of American Romanticism, the adherents of which believe in the potential of the individual and the presence of the divine in each person
transcendentalist
a follower of a nineteenth-century literary and philosophical movement that was a subcategory of American Romanticism, who believed in the unity between nature and God, finding truth in the natural world, and individualism
verbal irony
a contrast between what is said and what is meant
women’s rights movement:
a nineteenth-century political movement in support of political rights, legal rights, and property rights for women