Glossary C
Cacophony
Harsh, discordant sounds used for effect in writing.
Cadence
The rhythm and flow of language in writing or speech.
Caesar’s Gallic Wars
Julius Caesar’s firsthand account of his military campaigns in Gaul, written in Latin.
Caestura
A musical term for a break or pause in a piece of music.
Caesura
A pause or break in a line of poetry.
Capitalism
The economic system that influences the themes and messages in literature.
Caricature
A portrayal of a person or thing that exaggerates their distinctive features or characteristics.
Catharsis
The emotional release or purification experienced by the reader through literature.
Catharsis effect
The emotional release or purification experienced by the audience or reader of a story.
Censorship
The suppression or restriction of certain ideas or content in literature.
Central idea identification
The process of identifying the main theme or message of a work of literature.
Character arc
The trajectory of a character’s growth and change throughout a work of fiction.
Character backstory
The history and background of a character that informs their actions and behavior in a work of fiction.
Character development
The process of a character changing and growing throughout a work of fiction.
Character development examination
The analysis of a character’s growth and change throughout a work of fiction.
Characterization
The process of creating and developing characters in a work of fiction.
Characterization techniques
The methods used to create and develop characters in a work of fiction.
Character motivation
The driving force behind a character’s actions or behavior.
Character motivation exploration
The examination of a character’s reasons for their actions or behavior.
Character roles
The specific traits and actions assigned to a character in a story.
Characters
The individuals or entities that drive a story, often with distinct personalities, motivations, and conflicts.
Character sketch
A brief description of a character’s personality, appearance, and background.
Charts and graphs
Visual representations of data or information, often used to enhance understanding or support arguments.
Chorus
A group of characters in a play or story who provide commentary on the action.
Chorus commentary
A group of characters in a play or story who provide commentary on the action.
Chronological order
The arrangement of events in the order in which they occurred.
Cinematic techniques
The use of film techniques such as camera angles, lighting, and sound to convey meaning.
Citations
References to sources used in a written work, providing credibility and allowing readers to find the original sources.
Clarification
The act of making something clearer or more understandable, often through additional information or explanation.
Classicism
A literary movement that emphasizes the values of reason, order, and restraint, often drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman literature.
Cliche
An overused phrase or expression that lacks originality and creativity.
Cliched metaphor
An overused comparison that has lost its original meaning and impact.
Clickbait headlines
Sensational or misleading headlines designed to attract clicks and views.
Climax
The point of highest tension or drama in a story.
Closure
The resolution of a story’s conflicts and questions, often providing a sense of satisfaction for the reader.
Coda
A concluding section of a literary work that provides closure or summarizes the main themes.
Coda vs epilogue
The difference between the final sections of a written work, with a coda providing a final musical flourish and an epilogue providing additional information or closure.
Cognitive dissonance
The mental discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting beliefs or values.
Cognitive psychology
The study of mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving.
Collectivism
The emphasis on community and group identity in literature.
Collocations
Words that commonly appear together in a language or culture.
Colloquialism
Informal language or slang used in writing to create a conversational tone.
Comedic imitation style
A style of writing that imitates the style or tone of a comedic work.
Comedy
A genre of literature or performance that aims to entertain through humor.
Comic relief
A humorous element added to a serious or dramatic work to provide a break in tension.
Commonality
The shared themes and motifs across different literary works and genres.
Common expressions identification
Recognizing and avoiding overused phrases in writing.
Commonplace expression
A phrase or saying that is commonly used and understood.
Communication
The exchange of information or ideas between individuals or groups.
Communication barriers
Obstacles that prevent effective communication, such as language barriers or cultural differences.
Communication etiquette
The rules and conventions for polite and respectful communication.
Communication strategies
Techniques for effectively conveying information and ideas to others.
Communication style
The way in which an individual communicates, including tone, language, and body language.
Communication tool
A means of conveying information or ideas to others.
Comparative analysis
The examination of two or more things to identify similarities and differences.
Comparative language
The use of language to compare two or more things, often to highlight similarities or differences.
Comparative language similarities explained
The explanation of similarities and differences between languages.
Comparative literature
The study of literature from different cultures or languages to identify similarities and differences.
Comparative study
The examination of two or more things to identify similarities and differences.
Comparison
The act of examining two or more things to identify similarities and differences.
Comparison and contrast
The act of comparing and contrasting two or more things to identify similarities and differences.
Comparison of styles contrasting methods
The analysis of different writing styles and techniques to highlight their differences and similarities.
Comparison technique
A method of comparing two or more things to highlight similarities and differences.
Complexity
The state of being composed of interconnected parts that are difficult to understand or analyze.
Composition
The process of creating a written work, including planning, drafting, revising, and editing.
Compromise strategies
Techniques for finding a mutually acceptable solution to a disagreement or conflict.
Conceit
An extended metaphor or comparison between two dissimilar things.
Conceptual imagery
The use of mental images to represent abstract concepts or ideas.
Conceptualization
The process of forming a concept or idea.
Conceptual representation
The way in which a concept or idea is visually or symbolically represented.
Concluding remarks
Final comments or observations made at the end of a written work.
Conclusion differences
The variations in the way different written works conclude or wrap up.
Concrete poetry
A form of poetry in which the visual arrangement of words on the page is just as important as the words themselves.
Conflict
A disagreement or struggle between two or more parties.
Conflict driver
The event or character that creates tension and drives the plot forward.
Conflict resolution
The process of resolving a disagreement or dispute between two or more parties.
Conflict resolution progression
The steps taken to resolve a conflict in a progressive manner.
Conflict resolution techniques
Strategies for resolving disagreements or disputes between individuals or groups.
Conformity
The pressure to adhere to societal norms and expectations in literature.
Confusion
The state of being uncertain or unclear about something.
Connection
The relationship or association between two or more things.
Connotation
The emotional or cultural associations attached to a word or phrase.
Connotative Significance
The emotional or cultural associations that a word or phrase carries beyond its literal meaning.
Consistency in behavior
The quality of behaving in a predictable and reliable manner.
Consonance
The repetition of consonant sounds in close proximity.
Consonant sound matching
The intentional use of words that share similar consonant sounds in order to create a pleasing and memorable rhythm.
Consonant sounds
Sounds produced by the vibration of the vocal cords that are not vowels.
Context
The circumstances or conditions in which something exists or occurs.
Contextual clues
Information within a text that helps to understand its meaning.
Contextualization
The process of placing something within its proper context or setting.
Contextual meaning
The meaning of a word or phrase based on its context.
Contextual understanding
The ability to comprehend the meaning of something within its context.
Contextual usage analysis
Examination of how words are used in a specific context.
Contradiction
A statement or situation that is inconsistent or incompatible with another.
Contradictory terms
Two terms that appear to be opposite or incompatible.
Contradictory terms explanation
The clarification of two terms that seem to contradict each other.
Contrast
The state of being noticeably different from something else when compared.
Contrasting words
Words that have opposite meanings or convey different ideas.
Control
The use of language and structure to manipulate the reader’s interpretation and understanding of a text.
Conveyance of meaning
The act of expressing or communicating a message or idea effectively.
Corporate executives
Top-level managers in a company responsible for making strategic decisions.
Couplet
A pair of rhyming lines in poetry.
Courtesy
Polite and respectful behavior towards others.
Crafting
The process of carefully selecting and arranging words and phrases in order to create a specific effect or convey a particular message.
Creative expression
The act of using imagination and originality to convey thoughts and emotions through various forms of art, including writing.
Creative nonfiction
A genre of writing that uses literary techniques to tell a true story or convey factual information in a compelling and engaging way.
Creative writing
The art of writing original and imaginative works of fiction, poetry, or non-fiction.
Creative writing technique
A method or approach to writing that emphasizes creativity and originality.
Creative writing tips
Advice for improving writing skills and creativity.
Credibility
The quality of being trusted and believed in.
Critical reading
The process of analyzing and evaluating a text to understand its meaning and implications.
Critical reception
The response and evaluation of a writer’s work by literary critics and scholars.
Critical thinking skills
The ability to analyze and evaluate information.
Criticism
The analysis and evaluation of a work of art or literature.
Cross-cultural communication
The exchange of information between people from different cultural backgrounds.
Cross-referencing
The practice of referring to other parts of a written work for clarification or additional information.
Cult of personality
The phenomenon of a writer’s personal charisma or reputation overshadowing their actual work.
Cultural background
The cultural experiences and values that shape a person’s identity.
Cultural context
The social and historical background of a particular culture.
Cultural critique
An analysis of cultural values and practices.
Cultural heritage
The customs, traditions, and beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation within a particular culture or community.
Cultural identity
The sense of belonging and connection to a particular culture or community, often expressed through language, customs, and traditions.
Cultural influences on emotional expression within genres
The impact of cultural norms and expectations on the way emotions are portrayed in different literary genres.
Culturally sensitive language
The use of language that is respectful and appropriate to a particular culture or community.
Cultural references
References to aspects of a particular culture.
Cultural sensitivity
The awareness and understanding of cultural differences and the ability to respect and appreciate them.
Cultural sensitivity in communication
The ability to communicate effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds.
Cultural significance
The importance or relevance of something within a particular culture or society.
Cultural significance evaluation
Analysis of the importance of cultural elements in a story.
Cultural transmission
The process by which cultural traditions, beliefs, and practices are passed down from one generation to the next.
Cultural values
The beliefs and customs of a particular society or group that influence the themes and messages in literature.
Cynical
Having a belief that people are motivated by self-interest and that virtue is rare.
Cynicism
A belief that people are motivated by self-interest and that virtue is rare.