PSEB SS English Elective key terms

The central idea or message a literary work explores, such as love, loss, or social injustice. It is expressed through characters, events, and language rather than stated outright.

The attitude a writer takes toward the subject or reader, revealed through word choice and phrasing. It may be ironic, nostalgic, bitter, or affectionate, and differs from the mood felt by the reader.

A conclusion drawn from evidence in the text rather than stated directly. Readers combine clues, context, and prior knowledge to work out what is implied.

The most important point a paragraph or passage communicates. It is often stated in a topic sentence but may need to be summarised from supporting details.

A brief restatement of the key points of a text in the writer's own words, leaving out minor details and examples. It should preserve the original meaning without adding opinion.

Rewording a passage so the meaning stays the same while the wording changes. It is used to clarify ideas or to integrate sources without direct quotation.

The exact words of a speaker or text reproduced inside quotation marks. It must match the original precisely and be attributed or integrated into the writer's own sentence.

A word or phrase near an unfamiliar term that helps reveal its meaning. Clues may be definitions, examples, contrasts, or the general sense of the sentence.

The emotional or cultural associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning. For example, 'slender' sounds positive while 'skinny' may sound critical.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, independent of emotional associations. It is the neutral core meaning that connotation colours.

A contrast between what is said or expected and what is actually meant or happens. It may be verbal, situational, or dramatic, and often creates humour or criticism.

Writing that uses humour, irony, or exaggeration to expose and criticise folly or vice. Its purpose is correction rather than mere mockery.

A direct comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as', such as calling hope a bird. It transfers qualities from one thing to another.

A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as', for example 'as brave as a lion'. It makes a description vivid by linking it to something familiar.

Giving human qualities to animals, objects, or abstract ideas, as in 'the wind whispered'. It makes descriptions lively and can carry emotional weight.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates pictures in the reader's mind. It may be visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, or olfactory.

The use of an object, place, or action to stand for a larger idea, such as a dove representing peace. Symbols gain meaning from context and repetition.

The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in nearby words, as in 'wild and windy'. It creates rhythm and draws attention to particular phrases.

The pattern of end rhymes in a poem, usually labelled with letters such as ABAB or AABB. It helps describe a poem's structure and sound.

The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that gives a poem its beat. It shapes pace and can reinforce meaning or emotion.

A group of lines in a poem separated by a blank space, roughly like a paragraph in prose. Stanzas organise ideas and control the poem's movement.

Deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, such as 'I've told you a million times'. It is common in satire and persuasive writing.

A letter written to an official, editor, or organisation in a polite, structured style. It follows conventions such as sender's address, date, salutation, subject line, and complimentary close.

The greeting at the start of a letter, such as 'Dear Sir' or 'Dear Madam'. Its formality depends on whether the recipient is known personally.

The farewell phrase before the signature, such as 'Yours faithfully' or 'Yours sincerely'. The choice depends on whether the recipient was named in the salutation.

A short public announcement displayed or circulated to inform a group about an event, rule, or change. It states the essentials briefly and is often headed 'NOTICE'.

A structured factual account of an event, investigation, or situation, written for a defined audience. It usually includes a heading, introduction, findings, and conclusion.

The sentence that states the main point of a paragraph, usually placed near its beginning. The remaining sentences support or develop it.

The quality of a text whose ideas are logically connected and easy to follow. It is achieved through clear organisation, linking words, and consistent focus.

The way sentences are tied together using linking devices, pronouns, and repeated terms. It creates flow at the level of wording rather than overall structure.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, as in 'she writes' versus 'they write'. Errors often occur with collective nouns and intervening phrases.

Keeping the same verb tense throughout a sentence or passage unless a shift in time is clearly signalled. Unnecessary shifting confuses the reader.

A sentence construction in which the subject performs the action, as in 'The committee approved the plan'. It is usually clearer and more direct than passive voice.

A construction in which the subject receives the action, as in 'The plan was approved'. It suits formal reports or cases where the doer is unknown or unimportant.

A word such as 'in', 'on', 'under', or 'between' that shows the relationship between a noun and another element. Choosing the correct preposition is a common exam point.

A word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another, such as 'begin' and 'start'. Exact interchangeability depends on context and connotation.

A word with an opposite meaning to another, such as 'generous' and 'stingy'. Antonyms may be graded rather than absolute.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as 'to let the cat out of the bag'. Idioms must be learnt as whole units.