SAT+Vocabulary

Literary Terms SAT
Allegory- A story or narrative that is an extended metaphor in which characters and objects have symbolic meaning

Alliteration- The repetition of sounds, usually consonants or stressed syllables, within a group of words.

Allusion- A writer’s brief reference to another work, person, place, or event within their own writing.

Ambiguity- The use of a word or phrase to mean two or more different things.

Antagonist- The opposition to the main character, the protagonist.

Climax- The high point of the continuing action, usually just before the turning point and ending of the story.

Conflict- Opposition between characters of forces in the story.

Connotation- An idea or meaning that’s implied with a word but has nothing to do with what it actually is.

Diction- An author’s choose of words and conversational style that helps set the mood of piece.

Euphemism- A phrase that replaces a less pleasant one.

Fable- A type of anecdote or short story with a moral lesson, usually human behavior, at the end.

Falling Action- Events that happen after the climax.

Imagery- Using words that appeal to the senses in order to create a vivid description.

Metaphor- A comparison between two unlike unlike things without using the words like or as.

Onomatopoeia- A word that makes the sound that it describes.

Parable- A simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson. Many religious texts are full of them, especially the Bible.

Paradox- Something that seems to contradict itself, but actually reveals a truth. For example: youth is wasted on the young.

Personification- A figure of speech in which animals or objects are given human or living characteristics.

Plot- The story. What actually happens.

Point of view- The perspective from which the story is being told. It could be in the first person--- “I” or in the third person “he/she.” The second person point of view--- “you” ---is rarely used.

Protagonist- The central character (doesn’t necessarily have to be “the good guy”).

Setting- The time and place of a story.

Simile- A comparison between two things that uses like or as.

Theme- The general concept of the story.

Tone- Tone expresses the speaker’s attitude toward his reader or audience.

Understatement- Making something seem considerably less significant than it is. The opposite of a hyperbole.

SAT 4 List
**Abstemious** self denying, refraining from indulging **Blithe** free-spirited, carefree **Crepuscular** active at dawn and dusk **Enunciation** clear pronunciation, accent, articulation **Headstrong** stubborn, willful **Lackluster** dull, monotonous, bland **Objective** unbiased, not subjective **Pliable** flexible, not stubborn **Rescind** retract, repeal **Temper** to moderate, soften **Abstruse** difficult to understand, obscure **Blunderbuss** ancient weapon (type of gun); a clumsy person **Cringe** recoil, flinch, shy away **Envenom** to cause bitterness and bad feeling **Hedonism** self indulgence, pleasure-seeking **Laconic** using few words, brief, short to the point **Oblique** indirect, slanting **Plumage** feathers of a bird **Resignation** acceptance of fate **Tenacious** stubborn, resolute, holding firm to a purpose

[]

SAT 3 List **Absolution** forgiveness, pardon, release **Blatant** obvious **Creditable** praiseworthy **Ensconce** establish firmly in a position **Hasten** hurry, accelerate, rush **Laceration** a cut **Obdurate** stubborn **Plausible** can be believed, reasonable **Reprieve** a respite; postponement of a sentence **Tawdry** of little value, gaudy **Abstain** desist, go without, withdraw **Blighted** damaged, destroyed, ruined **Credulous** gullible, ready to believe anything **Enshroud** cover **Haughtiness** arrogance, pride **Lachrymose** tearful, sa**d** **Obfuscate** deliberately make something difficult to understand **Plethora** an excess **Repudiate** shun, eschew **Tedium** boredom

SAT 2 List

**Abrasiveness**: harshness, coarseness **Billowing**: swelling, fluttering, waving **Cower**: recoil in fear or servility, shrink away from **Enhance**: improve, make better or clearer **Harangue**: noisy attacking speech **Labyrinth**: a maze **Nullify**: to counter, make unimportant **Plaintiff**: applicant, petitioner **Replete**: full **Tangible**: can be touched **Abrogate**: cancel, deny, repeal **Blasphemy**: speech which offends religious sentiments **Credible**: believable **Enigma**: puzzle, mystery **Harbingers**: indicators, bringers of warnings **Labyrinthine**: complicated, highly convoluted **Nuzzle**: cuddle, snuggle **Plaudit**: statement giving strong praise **Reprehensible**: shameful, very bad **Tardy**: slow, late, overdue, delayed

[] See sample sentences here. Please complete for homework:

Here is the first set of SAT vocabulary words: Abhor: hate Bigot: narrow-minded, prejudiced person Counterfeit: fake, false Enfranchise: give voting rights Hamper: hinder, obstruct Kindle: to start a fire Noxious: harmful, poisonous, lethal Placid: calm, peaceful Remuneration: payment for work done Talisman: lucky charm Abrasive: rough, coarse, harsh Bilk: cheat, defraud Covert: hidden, undercover Engender: cause Hangar: storage area (like garage) for a plane Knotty: complex, difficult to solve Nuance: something subtle, a fine shade of meaning Plagiarism: taking credit for someone else's writing or ideas Renown: fame Tangent: going off the main subject

You may make paper flashcards or go here: [] to study the words electronically. The quiz will include matching, fill-in the blank as well as writing out definitions and sentences.