English 11 - List 17 literary terms Flashcards
alliteration
the repetition of initial consonant sounds (ie: Sally sells seashells…)
allusion
a reference in a work of literature to another literary work or historical work, figure or event.
anaphora
the intentional repetition of complete words or phrases for emphasis and unity.
image
an image is a word or phrase that names something that can be seen, heard, touched, tasted or smelled. A collection or group of images is called imagery.
irony
a contradiction, such as the difference between appearance and reality or a difference between what is said and what’s meant or expected.
metaphor
a figure of speech in which one thing is described as if it were another. (ie: My love is a red, red rose)
onomatopoeia
the use of words or phrases that sound like the things that they describe or sound words. (ie: buzz, chop)
personification
a figure of speech in which a nonhuman is described as though it were human. (ie: the old car coughed)
simile
a type of metaphor that uses like or as to make a comparison. (ie: My love is like a red, red rose)
symbol
something that stands both for itself and something beyond itself. (ie: A dove is a symbol of peace)
synecdoche
a part of something is used to signify the whole. (ie: to a shawl covered head or you’re in good hands)
mood
the emotional quality of a literary work created by imagery, word choice, events that occur. Adjectives that describe moods include sad, joyful, reflective, suspenseful.
paradox
an apparently contradictory statement that in fact has a certain truth to it. (ie: a poem should be wordless…)
setting
the time and place in which a work of literature occurs.
stanza
a group of lines in a poem.
