utopia (n) yoo-toh-pee-uh

1. A real or imagined place considered to be ideal or perfect (politically, socially, economically, technologically, ecologically, religiously, etc).

2. An ideal place or state

Our little town is a utopia to many folks from the city.

dystopia (n.) dis-toh-pee-uh

1. A society characterized by human misery (as squalor, oppression, disease, or overcrowding)

2. A community or society, usually fictional, that is in some important way undesirable

The seeming utopia of Salem’s Lot was revealed to be a dystopia when all the vampires were exposed.

Word of the Day (WOD)

Activity #1:Write a brief scene of dialogue, in which a boy

(or girl) is trying to ask out a girl (or boy). Use at least three (3) of the words of the day.

Bill: Hey there. I’m a rock star, did you know that?

Jill: I doubt the veracity of that statement.

handicap (n) han-dee-kap

1. To place certain restrictions or give a disadvantage or weight, distance, time, etc., in order to even the chances of success for all involved

The horse was so dominant that even with a handicap of 10 extra pounds, it won with ease!

Ellipsis (n) ih-lip-sis1. The omission from a sentence or other

construction of one or more words (that would complete or clarify the construction) in order to avoid repeating identical items.

The part of the quote after the ellipsis was the most important.

brackets (n) brak-itz

1. Two marks [ ]used in writing to enclose parenthetical matter, usually to clarify the meaning of quoted material.

The brackets [ ] were somewhat unnecessary as the quote was so simple.

universal (adj) yoo-nuh-vur-suh l

1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of all or the whole

2. Applicable everywhere or in all cases

“Romeo & Juliet” is a universal story of forbidden love!

Word of the Day Activity (WOD)

• Write a brief letter to a friend that uses EIGHT words of the day.

antagonist (n.) an-tag-uh-nist

1. A person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another.

2. The opposite of a protagonist; character who fights against the protagonist

The play was rather boring as there was no strong antagonist to play off the hero.

argument (n) ahr-gyuh-muh-nt

1. A logical appeal, supported by reasons and evidence, to persuade an audience.

Her argument in support of a new senator is convincing.

perspective (n) per-spek-tiv

1. The state of one’s ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful interrelationship; a mental view or prospect

“You have to live here a few years to see local conditions in perspective.”“Terminally ill patients have a dismal perspective.”

analogy (n) uh-nal-uh-jee

1. A similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based

2. Similarity or comparability

“It is a perfectly sound analogy between the heart and a pump.”

mood [in writing](n) mood

1. The form of the verb that shows the mode or manner in which a thought is expressed.

Indicative MoodImperative MoodInterrogative MoodConditional MoodSubjunctive Mood

socratic (adj.) suh-krat-ik

1. Of or pertaining to Socrates or his philosophy, followers, etc.

2. The Socratic method of question-and-answer

The teacher’s Socratic method forced his students to think of the answers first then to find evidence supporting their thoughts.

seminar (n) sem-uh-nahr

1. A small group of students engaged in intensive study.

To further enhance our graduate school experience, we conducted a seminar the final 6 weeks of school.

connotation (n) kon-uh-tey-shuh-n

1. The implied association, the meanings, or emotions associated with a word.

The word null doesn’t carry the connotation of failure that the word negative does.

nuance (n) noo-ahns

1. A subtle difference or distinction in meaning.

One day a misunderstood writer encounters someone who appreciates every nuance of what he writes.

allegory (adj.) al – uh – gawr-ee

1. Figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another; a symbolical narrative

One part intriguing allegory to nine parts gore, zombie films are hard to hate.

coherence (adj.) koh-heer-uh-ns

1. Logical interconnection; overall sense or understandability

Other things can be taught, so that the students can write with ease and coherence.