Glossary
Bias
A slant or prejudice that influences how a narrator presents information, potentially emphasizing certain details while downplaying others, or expressing strong opinions.
Example:
The historical account showed a clear bias towards the victorious side, portraying their actions as heroic while demonizing the defeated.
Diction
The author's or speaker's deliberate choice of words, which significantly contributes to the text's tone, mood, and overall meaning.
Example:
The poet's precise diction, using words like 'fragile' and 'ephemeral,' underscored the fleeting nature of beauty.
Perspective
The unique viewpoint or lens through which a speaker or narrator presents information, shaping what details are included and how they are emphasized.
Example:
In The Great Gatsby, Nick Carraway's perspective as an outsider yet confidant allows readers to see both the allure and the decay of the Jazz Age through his moralizing eyes.
Reliability
The trustworthiness and objectivity of a narrator, which affects how a reader interprets the information presented and the overall message of the text.
Example:
The detective questioned the witness's reliability after discovering inconsistencies in their testimony, making the reader doubt the truth of the events.
Syntax
The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences, influencing the pace, emphasis, and overall effect of the narrative.
Example:
The long, winding sentences and numerous subordinate clauses created a complex and contemplative syntax, mirroring the character's internal struggle.
Tone
The speaker's or narrator's attitude towards the subject, characters, or events in a text, often revealed through word choice and sentence structure.
Example:
The author's use of short, clipped sentences and harsh verbs creates a tone of urgency and despair in the battle scene.
Unreliable Narrator
A narrator whose credibility is compromised, often due to bias, mental instability, immaturity, or a deliberate attempt to mislead the reader.
Example:
In Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart,' the narrator's increasingly frantic and self-justifying voice reveals him to be an unreliable narrator, making the reader question his sanity and the events he describes.