Glossary O
Objectivity
The quality of being unbiased and impartial in writing, presenting facts without personal opinion or emotion.
Octave
An eight-line stanza in poetry, often used in sonnets.
Octave sestet
A sonnet structure consisting of an eight-line stanza followed by a six-line stanza.
Odes
A type of poem that celebrates or praises a person, place, or thing.
Offensive expression replacement
The act of replacing offensive language with more appropriate alternatives.
Onomatopoeia
Words that imitate the sound they represent (e.g. buzz, hiss, sizzle).
Opposing force
Opposing force – The antagonist or force that opposes the protagonist in a story.
Opposite words distinction
The use of words with opposite meanings to create contrast or emphasis.
Oppression
The unjust or cruel exercise of power over others, often resulting in discrimination, marginalization, or exploitation.
Oppressive Society
A society that restricts individual freedom and enforces conformity through oppressive laws or social norms.
Oracle
Oracle – A person or thing that is believed to be a source of wisdom or prophecy.
Oral communication
The act of speaking and listening in a face-to-face or virtual setting.
Oral communication tools
Techniques used to enhance the delivery of a poem when recited aloud, such as tone, pace, and volume.
Oral tradition
The passing down of stories, legends, and cultural traditions through spoken word rather than written text.
Oral transmission
The passing down of stories, traditions, and knowledge through spoken word rather than written text.
Overemphasis
The act of placing too much emphasis or importance on a particular aspect or element of a work of literature.
Oversimplification
The act of reducing a complex idea or concept to a simple or superficial explanation.
Over-the-top acting
Acting that is exaggerated for dramatic effect.
Over-the-top emotions
Emotions that are exaggerated for dramatic effect.
Over-the-top features
Exaggerated or excessive elements in a work of art, such as a film or novel, often for dramatic effect.
Over-the-top performance
A performance that is exaggerated or excessive in its delivery, often for comedic effect.
Overuse
The excessive repetition of a word or phrase in writing.
Overused expression
Overused expression – A phrase or expression that has become trite or cliched through overuse.
Overused phrases recognition
Overused phrases recognition – The ability to identify and avoid cliches and overused expressions in writing.
Oxymoron
A figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms, such as “jumbo shrimp” or “deafening silence.”
Oxymoronic phrase
A phrase that combines two contradictory terms for emphasis or effect.