Literature and Writing

to make a book, play, etc. short by omitting the details and including the main parts

The play was abridged for the school performance, focusing on the key scenes.

(of a story, play, image, etc.) using characters or events in a symbolic sense that represent a concept, quality, etc.

shocking or sensational, especially in a gruesome or vulgar way

The lurid revelations of sexual misconduct by a prominent politician led to widespread outrage and calls for resignation, highlighting a profound breach of ethical conduct.

(of speech or writing) using a serious and elevated style that makes it tedious and complicated

The professor’s lecture was so turgid that many students struggled to stay awake.

a puzzle where you fill a square grid with words reading the same down as across

to imitate something in a humorous or exaggerated manner

The comedian burlesqued the president's speech, eliciting laughter from the audience.

humorous and poorly written poetry

The book club laughed at the doggerel recited by the aspiring poet.

a song or poem expressing sadness, especially in the memory of a dead person or a bitter event in the past

The poet composed an elegy to mourn the passing of a beloved friend, capturing the grief and longing felt by those left behind.

very impressive in scale or scope

The construction of the Great Wall of China is considered an epic feat of engineering.

a Japanese poem with three unrhymed lines that have five, seven and five syllables each

She wrote a haiku about the changing seasons.

to verbally express deep sadness over a loss or unfortunate situation

The community gathered to lament the passing of their beloved leader, sharing stories and expressing their deep sorrow.

to criticize or joke about someone or something in public

The cartoonist lampooned the mayor's policies in the newspaper.

a lyric poem, written in varied or irregular metrical form, for a particular object, person, or concept

The poet wrote an ode to celebrate the beauty of nature.

a piece of writing, music, etc. that imitates the style of someone else in a humorous way

The comedian's parody of the popular song went viral, making people laugh with its clever and humorous lyrics.

a Biblical book containing an anthology of sacred verses, recited or sung in both Christian and Jewish worship

a verse of Italian origin that has 14 lines, usually in an iambic pentameter and a prescribed rhyme scheme

He struggled to fit his thoughts into the strict format of a sonnet.

to prevent lean meats from drying out during roasting

The chef barded the roast with thick slices of bacon.

a series of lines in a poem, usually with recurring rhyme scheme and meter

The poem was structured with four stanzas, each following a different theme.

any of the sections into which a long poem is divided

He plans to write a new canto for his poem that reflects the changing seasons.

excessive pride in oneself or one's abilities, often manifesting as vanity or arrogance

His conceit prevented him from acknowledging his mistakes, even when they were pointed out to him.

the continuation of a line of poetry into another couplet or stanza without a break

the study of techniques and principles for using language effectively, especially in public speaking

She studied rhetoric to improve her debate skills.

(phonetics) a subdivision of phonetics dealing with stress and intonation

a section of additional material that is usually added at the end of a book

The book included an addendum with updated statistics on the topic.

villainous character who strongly opposes another person or thing

The antagonist in the novel was a cunning and ruthless villain, determined to thwart the protagonist's plans at every turn.

a sack of tissue that is attached to the large intestine and is surgically removed if infected

An inflamed appendix can cause severe abdominal pain and fever.

a short promotional description of a book, motion picture, etc. published on the cover of a book or in an advertisement

The blurb on the back cover of the novel provides a brief summary of the plot to entice readers.

marks and notes written in the margins of a book or document

a list of technical terms or jargons of a particular field or text, provided in alphabetical order with an explanation for each one

The textbook includes a glossary at the end, providing definitions for key terms and concepts.

an error in a written or printed document

a deep, narrow ravine formed by the erosive action of a river in a dry region, often with steep sides

The hikers descended into the canon, surrounded by towering cliffs.

a decorative element or design that is added to clothing or fabric, serving to enhance its appearance or convey a particular style or theme

The dress was adorned with a floral motif that gave it a vintage charm.

an ancient book, written by hand, especially of scriptures, classics, etc.

The museum's prized exhibit is an illuminated codex from the medieval period, featuring intricately detailed illustrations and calligraphy.

the greatest literary or artistic piece that an author or artist has created

Many critics consider Beethoven's Ninth Symphony to be his magnum opus, showcasing the pinnacle of his musical genius.

a work of fiction with an intermediate length, which could be considered a short novel

The author released a novella that explored themes of love and loss.

an apparent mistake or inconsistency in the narrative of a book, motion picture, etc.

the fact of having an excessive number of words that results in being tedious

The professor's lecture was criticized for its prolixity, as many students found the excessive detail and lengthy explanations overwhelming and tedious.

to use satire in order to criticize or ridicule a system, person, etc.

a brief section added at the end of a literary work, providing closure, commentary, or resolution

The novel concluded with an epilogue explaining the characters' futures.