12th grade ELA

Tragic Flaw Hamartia, also called tragic faw, inherent defect or shortcoming in the hero of a tragedy, who is in other respects a superior being favored by fortune. Aristotle introduced the term in the Poetics in describing the tragic hero as a man of noble rank and nature whose misfortune is not brought about by villainy but by some “error of judgment” (hamartia). This imperfection later came to be interpreted as a moral faw, such as Othello’s jealousy or Hamlet’s irresolution. Importantly, the hero’s suffering and its far-reaching reverberations are far out of proportion to his faw. A tragic hero is a person of noble birth with heroic or potentially heroic qualities. This person is fated by the Gods or by some supernatural force to doom and destruction or at least to great suffering. But the hero struggles mightily against this fate and this cosmic confict wins our admiration. (Hamartia) Tragic Hero

Utopia

An ideal place or state; any visionary system of political or social perfection.

Rhetorical Terms

Alliteration

Repetition of the same sound beginning several words in sequence. *Let us go forth to lead the land we love. J. F. Kennedy, Inaugural

An indirect or passing reference to some event, person, place, or artistic work, the nature and relevance of which is not explained by the writer but relies on the reader's familiarity A comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar. Metaphors and similes are tools used to draw an analogy. Therefore, analogy is more extensive and elaborate than either a simile or a metaphor. Repetition of beginning clauses. For instance, Churchill declared, “We shall not fag or fail. We shall go on the end. We shall fght in France, we shall fght on the seas and oceans. We shall fght with growing confdence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost shall be.” A short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person, often used to support a point in argument writing Contrary ideas expressed in a balanced sentence. It can be a contrast of opposites: “Evil men fear authority; good men cherish it.” Or it can be a contrast of degree: "One small step for a man, one giant leap for all mankind." A reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong. An audience is a group of people who receive a message. Writers / speakers / creators think about their intended audience when they create their works. Often, though, a larger, unintended audience will also receive and react to the message of the text or media. A claim is the main argument of an essay. It is probably the single most important part of an academic paper. The complexity, effectiveness, and quality of the entire paper hinges on the claim. If your claim is boring or obvious, the rest of the paper probably will be too. A concession is an admission that the opposing side has a good point. Concessions are especially effective when a writer can agree partially with the opposing position, but also point out a faw. You The action or process of reasoning systematically in support of an idea, action, or theory the omission or absence of a conjunction between parts of a sentence.

Allusion

Analogy

Anaphora

Anecdote

Antithesis (plural = antitheses)

Argument

Argumentation

Asyndeton

Audience

Claim

Concession