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Study > English Literary Terms > Flashcards

English Literary Terms Flashcards

1
Q

epistolary form

A

written in the style of a letter

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2
Q

tone

A

the way the author or character speaks to show attitude

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3
Q

atmosphere

A

the way the setting makes the reader feel

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4
Q

mood

A

the way the text makes the readers feel

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5
Q

characterization

A

the creation or construction of a fictional character

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6
Q

imagery

A

visually descriptive, appealing to the 5 senses

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7
Q

motif

A

A recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story

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8
Q

pathetic fallacy

A

personification for nature

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9
Q

theme

A

the subject/topic

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10
Q

alliteration

A

repeating sounds in the beginning of a word

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11
Q

allusion

A

refers to another literary work

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12
Q

analogy

A

comparing something to explain something else

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13
Q

onomatopoeia

A

words imitating sounds

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14
Q

figurative language

A

describes and compares things that aren’t meant to be taken literally

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15
Q

metaphor

A

comparing one thing as if it IS another, type of analogy

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16
Q

anaphora

A

A figure of speech in which words repeat at the beginning of sentences

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17
Q

allegory

A

a story that can reveal a hidden meaning

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18
Q

hyperbole

A

exaggeration not meant to be taken literally

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19
Q

irony

A

A contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs

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20
Q

oxymoron

A

two words with opposite meanings put together (always a short phrase)

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21
Q

idiom

A

an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but must be learned as a whole “feeling under the weather”

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22
Q

juxtaposition

A

two thing placed together to show differences (longer version of oxymoron, can exist throughout an entire novel)

23
Q

trope

A

stories/characters dynamics we see commonly

24
Q

syntax

A

structure of a sentence for effect, position of words

25
Q

semantic field

A

words from the same topic

26
Q

dramatic irony

A

the full significance of a character’s words or actions is clear to the audience or reader but unknown to the character

27
Q

syntax

A

structure of a sentence for effect, position of words

28
Q

diction

A

choice of words for effect

29
Q

In media res

A

Starting a story in the middle of the action rather than at the beginning

30
Q

Magical Realism

A

Blending magical elements with realistic settings and situations

31
Q

Antagonist

A

The character or force that opposes the protagonist in a story

32
Q

Protagonist

A

The main character or hero of a story

33
Q

Deus ex Machina

A

A plot device where a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly resolved by an unexpected intervention

34
Q

Red Herring

A

A misleading clue or distraction intended to divert attention from the real issue

35
Q

Soliloquy

A

A speech delivered by a character alone on stage, revealing their inner thoughts and feelings

36
Q

Tragic Flaw

A

A character trait that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero

37
Q

Epiphany

A

A sudden realization or understanding that leads to a new perspective

38
Q

Anachronism

A

Placing something out of its proper historical time period

39
Q

Bildungsroman

A

A novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist

40
Q

Synecdoche

A

A figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole

41
Q

Verisimilitude

A

The appearance of being true or real within a literary work

42
Q

Catharsis

A

The release of emotional tension experienced by the audience through a character’s experiences

43
Q

Stream of Consciousness

A

A narrative mode that attempts to capture the flow of thoughts and feelings in a character’s mind

44
Q

Foreshadowing

A

Hinting at events that will happen later in the story

45
Q

Paradox

A

A statement that appears self-contradictory but reveals a deeper truth

46
Q

Assonance

A

Repetition of vowel sounds within words in close proximity

47
Q

Consonance

A

Repetition of consonant sounds in close proximity

48
Q

Anthropomorphism

A

Assigning animal traits to non-animal entities

49
Q

Euphemism

A

Substituting a mild or indirect expression for a harsh or blunt one

50
Q

Onomatopoeia

A

Words that imitate natural sounds

51
Q

Flashback

A

A scene that interrupts the chronological sequence to depict earlier events

52
Q

Point of View

A

The perspective from which a story is told

53
Q

Satire

A

Using humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize and ridicule societal issues

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