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Writing and Composing Vocabulary — Online Interactive Flashcards

Vocabulary Lists  >  Language and Literature  >  Writing and Composing
Learn Writing and Composing vocabulary with 39 interactive flashcards. Flip each card to see the part of speech, definition, and example sentence.

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For lovers of literature and writing, this category offers words like 'allegory', 'epilogue', and 'redact'. It's ideal for discussing various aspects of writing, from composition techniques to literary styles.

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abridge

How to pronounce abridge (audio)

Includes synonyms, etymology, and a detailed definition.

Part of Speech

verb

Definition

To shorten a piece of writing without losing its sense or essential meaning.

Example Sentence

"The editor had to abridge the novel to fit it into the magazine's limited space."

Complete Flashcards List for Writing and Composing with Definitions, POS, IPA, Examples, Synonyms, and Antonyms

abridge (verb) /əˈbrɪdʒ/
Definition: To shorten a piece of writing without losing its sense or essential meaning.
Example Sentence: "The editor had to abridge the novel to fit it into the magazine's limited space."
Synonyms: clip; condense; decrease; downsize; lessen; prune
Opposite Meaning: expand

addendum (noun) /əˈdɛndəm/
Definition: A section or supplement added to a document, usually at the end, that provides additional information or clarification.
Example Sentence: "The addendum to the contract included additional terms and conditions."
Synonyms: addition; adjunct; affix; appendage; appendix; attachment
Opposite Meaning: deletion

allegory (noun) /ˈælɪɡəri/
Definition: A literary device in which characters, events, and settings are used to symbolize a deeper or hidden meaning, often a moral or political message.
Example Sentence: "The Tortoise and the Hare' is an allegory about the perils of overconfidence."
Synonyms: analogy; fable; legend; metaphor; myth; narrative
Opposite Meaning: literal

appendix (noun) /əˈpɛn dɪks/
Definition: A section or table of subsidiary material found at the end of a book or document.
Example Sentence: "The user manual included an appendix with troubleshooting tips and frequently asked questions."
Synonyms: addendum; adjunct; afterthought; annexe; appendage; attachment
Opposite Meaning: core

bibliography (noun) /ˌbɪb liˈɒg rə fi/
Definition: A comprehensive list or collection of sources that have been consulted or referenced in the creation of a scholarly work, research paper, or publication.
Example Sentence: "The author meticulously compiled a bibliography to acknowledge the sources that influenced their work."
Synonyms: archive; catalog; citations; compendium; index; listing
Opposite Meaning: creation

bowdlerize (verb) /ˈboʊd ləˌraɪz/
Definition: To remove or censor content from a literary work, typically to make it more appropriate for a general audience.
Example Sentence: "The TV network had to bowdlerize the movie to make it suitable for prime time."
Synonyms: expurgate; sanitize; redact; edit; purify; expunge
Opposite Meaning: expose

citation (noun) /saɪˈteɪ ʃən/
Definition: A formal reference or acknowledgement made within a written work to give credit or provide evidence for a specific piece of information, idea, or source.
Example Sentence: "A proper citation is necessary to give credit to the original source."
Synonyms: acknowledgment; allusion; attribution; credit; documentation; mention
Opposite Meaning: plagiarism

diction (noun) /ˈdɪkʃᵊn/
Definition: The style or choice of words and language used by a person, writer, speaker, or artist in their communication or artistic expression.
Example Sentence: "Good diction is important for effective public speaking."
Synonyms: articulation; delivery; elocution; expression; phrasing; pronunciation
Opposite Meaning: silence

epigraph (noun) /ˈɛpɪɡrɑːf/
Definition: A quote or excerpt that is placed at the beginning of a literary work, such as a novel, poem, or essay.
Example Sentence: "The epigraph in the novel was a quote that encapsulated the theme of the story."
Synonyms: adage; citation; excerpt; inscription; maxim; motto
Opposite Meaning: conclusion

epilogue (noun) /ˈɛpɪlɒɡ/
Definition: A section or speech at the end of a literary work, typically used to bring closure to the story or sum up the events that have occurred.
Example Sentence: "The epilogue of the novel provided a satisfying conclusion to the story."
Synonyms: aftermath; afterword; appendix; climax; closing; coda
Opposite Meaning: prologue

episode (noun) /ˈɛp əˌsoʊd/
Definition: A distinct and self-contained section or part of a series, program, story, or event.
Example Sentence: "The anthology series consists of standalone episodes, each with its own unique story."
Synonyms: chapter; entry; event; incident; installment; occurrence
Opposite Meaning: entirety

excerpt (noun) /ˈɛksəːpt/
Definition: A portion of a longer work, such as a book, article, or film, that is selected and presented on its own.
Example Sentence: "The film trailer featured an exciting excerpt from the movie's climax."
Synonyms: citation; extract; fragment; passage; pericope; piece
Opposite Meaning: entirety

exposition (noun) /ˌɛkspəʊˈzɪʃᵊn/
Definition: A detailed and systematic explanation or presentation of a concept, idea, or topic.
Example Sentence: "His exposition on the topic was comprehensive and enlightening."
Synonyms: briefing; clarification; delineation; demonstration; description; discourse
Opposite Meaning: concealment

fable (noun) /ˈfeɪbl/
Definition: A short story that uses animals, plants, or inanimate objects as characters and teaches a moral or lesson.
Example Sentence: "The fable of the boy who cried wolf is a cautionary tale about honesty."
Synonyms: allegory; anecdote; apologue; fantasy; fiction; folklore
Opposite Meaning: fact

foreshadow (verb) /fɔrˈʃæd oʊ/
Definition: To hint or suggest future events, developments, or outcomes within a story or narrative.
Example Sentence: "The dark clouds foreshadowed an impending storm."
Synonyms: augur; forecast; foretell; hint; imply; indicate
Opposite Meaning: hide

gazette (noun) /guh-zet/
Definition: A type of official publication or newspaper that provides news, announcements, and public notices, often issued by the government or a specific organization.
Example Sentence: "The school gazette highlighted the achievements of students in academics and sports."
Synonyms: bulletin; chronicle; daily; digest; journal; magazine
Opposite Meaning: rumor

genre (noun) /ˈʒɒnrə/
Definition: A category or type of artistic or literary work, characterized by a particular style, form, or subject matter.
Example Sentence: "The mystery genre is known for its intricate plots and suspenseful narratives."
Synonyms: bracket; class; classification; division; form; group
Opposite Meaning: mixture

hieroglyphics (noun) /ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪks/
Definition: A system of writing used by the ancient Egyptians.
Example Sentence: "The walls of the ancient temple were adorned with intricate hieroglyphics depicting mythological stories."
Synonyms: characters; emblems; figures; glyphs; icons; inscriptions
Opposite Meaning: plaintext

illegible (adjective) /ɪˈlɛdʒɪbl/
Definition: Cannot be read or deciphered due to its unclear, messy, or unreadable writing or printing.
Example Sentence: "The map was so old that the print had become illegible."
Synonyms: crabbed; faint; indecipherable; indistinct; obscure; scrawled
Opposite Meaning: legible

interpolate (verb) /ˌɪˈtɜrpəˌleɪt/
Definition: To insert something, such as a word, phrase, or passage, into a text or conversation where it was not originally present.
Example Sentence: "The researcher will interpolate the results of previous studies to form a hypothesis."
Synonyms: add; annex; append; embed; implant; include
Opposite Meaning: remove

locution (noun) /ləʊˈkjuːʃᵊn/
Definition: A particular way of expressing oneself in speech or writing, often characterized by the use of specific words or phrases.
Example Sentence: "The professor's use of technical locution was confusing to many of the students."
Synonyms: diction; expression; idiom; language; parlance; phraseology
Opposite Meaning: silence

magazine (noun) /ˌmæg əˈzin/
Definition: A periodical publication that is issued on a regular basis, typically weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
Example Sentence: "The cooking magazine provided a variety of delicious recipes."
Synonyms: brochure; bulletin; digest; ezine; fanzine; gazette
Opposite Meaning: book

memoir (noun) /ˈmɛmwɑː/
Definition: A written account of a person's own life experiences, often focusing on a particular period, theme, or aspect of their life.
Example Sentence: "The memoir was a fascinating look into a bygone era, with many historical details."
Synonyms: anecdote; autobiography; chronicle; diary; journal; memory
Opposite Meaning: fiction

parable (noun) /ˈparəbl/
Definition: A brief, typically fictional story or narrative that is used to convey a moral lesson, spiritual principle, or philosophical idea.
Example Sentence: "The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us about the importance of compassion."
Synonyms: allegory; apologue; bestiary; exemplum; fable; legend
Opposite Meaning: fact

personification (noun) /pɜːˌsɒnɪfɪˈkeɪʃᵊn/
Definition: The attribution of human qualities, characteristics, or emotions to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or abstract concepts.
Example Sentence: "The ticking clock was a personification of the passage of time."
Synonyms: anthropomorphism; characterization; concretization; embodiment; exemplification; humanization
Opposite Meaning: objectification

postscript (noun) /ˈpəʊs(t)skrɪpt/
Definition: An additional message or note that is added to the end of a letter, document, or other written work.
Example Sentence: "The note had a postscript with a joke that lightened the mood of the message."
Synonyms: addendum; adjunct; afterthought; annotation; appendix; attachment
Opposite Meaning: prelude

preamble (noun) /ˈpriːambl/
Definition: An introductory statement or explanation, at the beginning of a document or speech, that explains the purpose, context, or background for what follows.
Example Sentence: "The preamble of the bill outlined the purpose and intent of the legislation."
Synonyms: exordium; foreword; introduction; overture; preface; preliminary
Opposite Meaning: conclusion

preface (noun) /ˈprɛfɪs/
Definition: An introduction to a book or other written work, typically written by the author.
Example Sentence: "The preface provides a general overview of the book and its purpose."
Synonyms: beginning; foreword; introduction; outset; preamble; prelude
Opposite Meaning: afterword

prefatory (adjective) /ˈprɛf əˌtɔr i/
Definition: Pertaining to, or associated with, a preface or introductory section of a book, document, speech, or other written or spoken work.
Example Sentence: "The prefatory pages of the book provided important background information."
Synonyms: beginning; opening; preceding; precursory; preliminary; prelusive
Opposite Meaning: concluding

prologue (noun) /ˈprəʊlɒɡ/
Definition: A section or introduction that comes before the main story or body of a literary work such as a play, novel or epic poem.
Example Sentence: "The filmmaker decided to include a prologue to set the tone for the movie."
Synonyms: beginning; exordium; explanation; foreword; opening; preamble
Opposite Meaning: epilogue

prose (noun) /prəʊz/
Definition: A type of written or spoken language that is used in ordinary communication, as opposed to poetry or song lyrics.
Example Sentence: "The essay was written in simple prose that made it easy to understand."
Synonyms: article; composition; discourse; exposition; language; literature
Opposite Meaning: poetry

punctuate (verb) /ˈpʌŋk tʃuˌeɪt/
Definition: To insert punctuation marks into a piece of writing or text to clarify meaning, enhance readability, and indicate pauses or emphasis.
Example Sentence: "You must punctuate the end of a sentence with a period."
Synonyms: accentuate; clarify; delineate; denote; divide; emphasize
Opposite Meaning: omit

redact (verb) /rɪˈdakt/
Definition: To edit or remove certain information from a document before it is made public or shared with others.
Example Sentence: "The police had to redact some details from the report to protect the privacy of the victims."
Synonyms: cancel; censor; delete; efface; eradicate; erase
Opposite Meaning: disclose

sonnet (noun) /ˈsɒnɪt/
Definition: A specific form of poetry that originated in Italy during the 13th century and gained prominence during the Renaissance.
Example Sentence: "Shakespeare's sonnets are renowned for their lyrical beauty and timeless themes."
Synonyms: ballad; canzone; composition; couplet; elegy; lyric
Opposite Meaning: prose

summarize (verb) /ˈsʌm əˌraɪz/
Definition: To condense and present the main points, ideas, or information from a larger text, speech, or piece of content into a concise and coherent form.
Example Sentence: "The executive asked his assistant to summarize the key findings of the market research."
Synonyms: abbreviate; abstract; brief; condense; digest; outline
Opposite Meaning: elaborate

symbolism (noun) /ˈsɪmbᵊlɪzᵊm/
Definition: The use of symbols or symbolic elements to represent abstract ideas, concepts, or emotions in a work of art or literature.
Example Sentence: "The movie's use of imagery and symbolism added depth and complexity to the story."
Synonyms: allegory; allusion; iconography; imagery; metaphor; representation
Opposite Meaning: literalness

treaty (noun) /ˈtri ti/
Definition: A formal agreement or contract established between two or more nations, governments, or parties.
Example Sentence: "The two countries signed a peace treaty to end the long-standing conflict."
Synonyms: accord; agreement; arrangement; compact; concordat; contract
Opposite Meaning: discord

untitled (adjective) /ʌnˈtaɪt ld/
Definition: Lacking a title or a name.
Example Sentence: "The artist displayed several untitled paintings in the gallery."
Synonyms: anonymous; nameless; unacknowledged; unattributed; unclassified; unidentified
Opposite Meaning: titled

vignette (noun) /viːˈnjɛt/
Definition: A short, descriptive sketch or scene that captures a moment or mood.
Example Sentence: "Each chapter in the memoir begins with a personal vignette from the author's life."
Synonyms: anecdote; depiction; episode; fragment; glimpse; illustration
Opposite Meaning: full story

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