allusion
noun
An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference

canon 
noun
1. A general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged
•	a church decree or law
2. A collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine
•	the works of a particular author or artist that are recognized as genuine
•	a list of literary or artistic works considered to be permanently established as being of the highest quality
3. (In the Roman Catholic Church) the part of the Mass containing the words of consecration
4. (In music) a piece in which the same melody is begun in different parts successively, so that the imitations overlap

context 
noun
•	The word context originates from the Latin contextus, “a connection of words,” and contexture, “to weave together.”
•	Context is defined as “the parts of discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning.”
•	A chunk of meaning. 

semantics 
noun
•	Semantics refers to the meaning of words

denotation and connotation
noun
•	Words denote (literal meaning, dictionary definition)
•	Words also connote (meaning based on the experiences, associations, feelings connected to word)
•	Two words with a very similar denotation might have a very different connotation. 

syntax
noun
The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language. Ex. The syntax of English

figurative language
noun
•	When the author wants to clarify a concept not immediately obvious s/he links the lesser known, more abstract concept, to one that most people can recognize. 
•	If successful, readers will see a figure, an actual image in their minds

oxymoron
noun
Literally means "sharp moron"

Examples:
•	Quality junk
•	Jumbo shrimp
•	Military intelligence

paradox
noun
•	A statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory
•	A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true
•	A situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities

ORIGIN mid-16th century (originally denoting a statement contrary to accepted opinion), via late Latin from Greek paradoxon ‘contrary (opinion)’, from para-‘distinct from’ +doxa ‘opinion.’

irony
noun
•	expressing one's meaning using language that usually means the opposite (verbal)
•	an event or state of affairs that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects, often with humorous results (situational)
•	a literary technique (dramatic)

satire
noun
The use of humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.