NLN NEX Verbal key terms

To become less strong or intense; to die down. A storm, pain, or noise that abates gradually weakens rather than stopping suddenly.

Existing as an idea or quality rather than as a physical object. Also describes a short summary of a longer written work placed at its beginning.

An indirect reference to a well-known person, event, or literary work, made without naming it directly. It relies on the reader recognizing the reference.

A comparison that explains how two unlike things are similar in one important way, often used to clarify an unfamiliar idea by pairing it with a familiar one.

The word, phrase, or clause that a pronoun refers back to in a sentence. In "Marta lost her keys," Marta is the antecedent of her.

A short, memorable statement that expresses a general truth or piece of wisdom. It is brief and pointed rather than explained at length.

A noun or noun phrase placed beside another noun to rename or describe it, usually set off by commas, as in "my brother, a teacher, arrived."

A leaning toward or against something that unfairly shapes judgment. In reading, it is a slant in how information is selected, worded, or emphasized.

A group of words containing its own subject and verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence; a dependent clause cannot.

Referring to something specific and observable through the senses rather than to a general idea. Concrete details make writing vivid and easy to picture.

A word such as and, but, because, or although that joins words, phrases, or clauses and shows how they relate to each other.

The emotional or cultural association a word carries beyond its literal meaning. "Cheap" and "inexpensive" denote similar ideas but differ in connotation.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, separate from any feelings or associations it may suggest to readers or listeners.

To make or become smaller, weaker, or less important. The word often describes a gradual reduction in size, amount, or effect over time.

Stated clearly and directly, leaving nothing to be guessed. An explicit instruction tells you exactly what to do without requiring interpretation.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, helping readers see, hear, smell, taste, or feel what is described. It often uses concrete detail rather than plain statement.

Suggested or understood without being directly stated. An implicit meaning must be drawn out by the reader from hints, context, and wording.

A conclusion reached by reasoning from evidence in the text rather than from a statement made outright. Readers combine clues with background knowledge to infer.

A gap between what is said or expected and what actually happens or is meant. The contrast, not the words alone, creates the effect.

A figure of speech that describes one thing as if it were another, without using like or as. "The classroom was a zoo" is a metaphor.

A word, phrase, or clause that describes or limits another word. A misplaced modifier sits too far from the word it is meant to describe, causing confusion.

Presenting facts without personal feeling, opinion, or slant. Objective writing aims to inform neutrally rather than to persuade or entertain.

A statement that seems to contradict itself yet may reveal a truth on closer thought, such as "the more you learn, the less you know."

A group of related words that functions as a single unit within a sentence but lacks either a subject or a verb, so it cannot stand alone.

A word such as he, she, it, they, or who that stands in for a noun or noun phrase already known from context, avoiding repetition.

Writing that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize human faults, institutions, or behavior, usually with the aim of prompting improvement.

A comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as. "Her voice was like gravel" is a simile; it states the comparison openly.

Shaped by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions rather than by verifiable fact. Subjective statements vary from person to person and cannot be proven true or false.

To sink to a lower level or become quiet after being active. Floodwater, anger, and pain can all subside once their cause weakens.

A brief restatement of the main points of a passage, leaving out supporting detail and examples. A good summary is shorter than the original and in your own words.

The combining of separate ideas or sources into a single coherent whole. In reading questions, it means pulling details together to form a unified understanding.

The central idea or underlying message about life that a literary work explores, conveyed through events, characters, and details rather than stated outright.

The main claim or central argument that a piece of writing sets out to support. It usually appears near the beginning and guides the structure of what follows.

The attitude a writer takes toward the subject or audience, revealed through word choice and detail. Tone may be humorous, bitter, respectful, or urgent.

A word, phrase, or sentence that connects one idea to the next and signals how they relate, such as however, therefore, or in addition.