A-C

Question 1

allegory

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

alliteration

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

allusion

Answer 3

A reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.

Question 4

ambiguity

Answer 4

A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation.

Question 5

analogy

Answer 5

A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things.

Question 6

antagonist

Answer 6

A character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist, produces tension or conflict.

Question 7

antithesis

Answer 7

A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences.

Question 8

aphorism

Answer 8

A short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment.

Question 9

apostrophe

Answer 9

A rhetorical device in which a speaker addresses a person or personified thing not present.

Question 10

archetype

Answer 10

An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form.

Question 11

assonance

Answer 11

The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose.

Question 12

ballad

Answer 12

A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited.

Question 13

blank verse

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

cacophony

Answer 14

Grating, inharmonious sounds.

Question 15

caesura

Answer 15

A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often (but not always) marked by punctuation.

Question 16

caricature

Answer 16

A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things.

Question 17

catharsis

Answer 17

A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror or a dramatic tragedy.

Question 18

conceit

Answer 18

A witty or ingenious thought a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language.

Question 19

connotation

Answer 19

The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase. Contrast with denotation.

Question 20

consonance

Answer 20

The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry.

Question 21

couplet

Answer 21

A pair of rhyming lines in a poem. Two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter is sometimes called a heroic ________.

Question 22

denotaion

Answer 22

The dictionary definition of a word. Contrast with connotation.

Question 23

anapestic meter

Answer 23

a meter in which a majority of the feet are anapests

Question 24

anaphora

Answer 24

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines

Question 25

anastrophe

Answer 25

Inversion of the natural or usual word order (ex: yoda)

Question 26

anecdote

Answer 26

A brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event.

Question 27

chiasmus

Answer 27

A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed

Question 28

anticlimax

Answer 28

a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events

Question 29

antihero

Answer 29

Protagonist of a literary work who does not embody the traditional qualities of a hero

Question 30

antecedent

Answer 30

the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun

Question 31

aside

Answer 31

a line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage

Question 32

asyndeton

Answer 32

Omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words

Question 33

characterization

Answer 33

A method an author uses to let readers know more about the characters and their personal traits.

Question 34

clause

Answer 34

A grammatical that contains both a subject and verb

Question 35

colloquial

Answer 35

slang

Question 36

comedy of manners

Answer 36

comedy which depicts and satirizes the attitudes and manners of a social class

Question 37

comic relief

Answer 37

A humorous scene or speech intended to lighten the mood

Question 38

adage

Answer 38

a familiar proverb or wise saying

Question 39

anachronism

Answer 39

something out of the proper time

Question 40

anapest

Answer 40

three syllable foot: unstressed, unstressed, stressed

Question 41

confessional poetry

Answer 41

a twentieth century term used to describe poetry that uses intimate material from the poet’s life.