English Terms Pt. 1 Flashcards
What is abstract?
Not physical. Ideas & emotions are abstract (love, honour, justice). Abstract things are real.
What is allegory?
A story or visual image with a second distinct meaning partially hidden. It involves a continuous parallel between two or more levels of meaning so that its persons & events correspond to their equivalents in a system of ideas or chain of events external to the story.
What is alliteration (consonance)?
Repetition of initial consonant sounds.
What is allusion?
Indirect or passing reference to some person, place, event; possibly biblical, historical, literary, artistic, etc. The nature of the reference is not explained because the writer relies on the reader’s familiarity with it.
What is altruism?
The principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others.
What is analogy?
Illustration of an idea by means of an example that is similar to the welfare of others.
What is anecdote?
A brief story or an interesting incident.
What is antagonist?
The opposing person or force to the protagonist.
What is antecedent action (exposition)?
Action that takes place before the story line opens.
What is antithesis?
A contrast or opposition of ideas, usually by the balancing of phrases. (ex. stand or fall, sink or swim).
What is apathy?
A lack of interest.
What is apostrophe?
The speaker addresses a dead or absent person or an abstract object.
