A-C Flashcards
allegory
A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical, or possibly an ethical meaning. The story and characters represent values beyond themselves.
alliteration
The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose. Used for ornament or for emphasis. Also used in epithets, phrases, and slogans. Enhances the aesthetic quality of a prose passage or poem.
allusion
A reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.
ambiguity
A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation.
analogy
A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things.
antagonist
A character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist, produces tension or conflict.
antithesis
A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences.
aphorism
A short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment.
apostrophe
A rhetorical device in which a speaker addresses a person or personified thing not present.
archetype
An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form.
assonance
The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose.
ballad
A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited.
blank verse
Poetry written in iambic pentameter, the primary meter used in English poetry and the words of Shakespeare and Milton. The lines generally do not rhyme.
cacophony
Grating, inharmonious sounds.
caesura
A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often (but not always) marked by punctuation.
caricature
A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things.
catharsis
A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror or a dramatic tragedy.
conceit
A witty or ingenious thought a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language.
connotation
The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase. Contrast with denotation.
consonance
The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry.
couplet
A pair of rhyming lines in a poem. Two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter is sometimes called a heroic ________.
denotaion
The dictionary definition of a word. Contrast with connotation.
anapestic meter
a meter in which a majority of the feet are anapests
anaphora
Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines
anastrophe
Inversion of the natural or usual word order (ex: yoda)
anecdote
A brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event.
chiasmus
A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed
anticlimax
a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events
antihero
Protagonist of a literary work who does not embody the traditional qualities of a hero
antecedent
the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
aside
a line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage
asyndeton
Omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words
characterization
A method an author uses to let readers know more about the characters and their personal traits.
clause
A grammatical that contains both a subject and verb
colloquial
slang
comedy of manners
comedy which depicts and satirizes the attitudes and manners of a social class
comic relief
A humorous scene or speech intended to lighten the mood
adage
a familiar proverb or wise saying
anachronism
something out of the proper time
anapest
three syllable foot: unstressed, unstressed, stressed
confessional poetry
a twentieth century term used to describe poetry that uses intimate material from the poet’s life.
