English vocab Flashcards
Direct characterisation:
The author explicitly describes a character’s traits (e.g.”She was kind and gentle”).
Indirect characterisation:
The reader infers traits through a character’s actionsdialogue
Archetype:
A universal character model or pattern (e.g.the hero
Foil:
A character who contrasts with another highlighting their traits.
Linear narrative:
Events are presented in chronological order.
Non-linear narrative:
Events are presented out of order (e.g. flashbacks
Conflict:
The main problem driving the story either internal (character vs. self) or external (character vs. other forces like society
Foreshadowing:
Hints about events to come.
Climax:
The turning point or moment of highest tension.
Setting:
The time place
Pathetic fallacy:
Attributing human emotions to nature or the environment to reflect mood.
First-person:
The narrator is a character in the story (e.g. “I walked to the store”).
Third-person limited:
The narrator knows the thoughts of one character.
Third-person omniscient:
The narrator knows the thoughts of all characters.
Unreliable narrator:
A narrator whose credibility is questionable.
Stream of consciousness:
A narrative style that mimics the flow of a character’s thoughts.
Intrusive narrator:
A narrator who interrupts the story to provide commentary.
Imagery:
Descriptive language appealing to the senses (e.g.”The roses smelled sweet and filled the air with a heady aroma”).
Figurative language:
Creative expressions that go beyond literal meaning including:
Metaphor:
Direct comparison (e.g.”Her smile was sunshine”).
Simile:
Comparison using “like” or “as” (e.g. “He ran like the wind”).
Personification:
Giving human qualities to non-human things (e.g.”The wind whispered through the trees”).
Symbolism:
Using objects or characters to represent abstract ideas (e.g.a dove symbolizing peace).
Motif:
A recurring elementsuch as an image or idea
Allusion:
A reference to another texthistorical event
Allegory:
A story functioning as an extended metaphor where characters and events represent abstract ideas (e.g.George Orwell’s Animal Farm).
Tone:
The author’s attitude toward the subject (e.g. serious
Mood:
The emotional atmosphere created by the text (e.g. eerie
Purpose:
The reason the author writes the text (e.g.to inform
Audience:
The intended readers or viewers influencing tone and style.
Chronological:
Events or points presented in time order.
Cause and Effect:
Explaining why something happens and its consequences.
Compare and Contrast:
Highlighting similarities and differences between ideas.
Problem-Solution:
Presenting an issue and proposing resolutions.
Cyclical structure:
A structure where the ending mirrors or reflects the beginning.
Juxtaposition:
Placing contrasting ideasevents
Formal language:
Polished professional tone with precise vocabulary.
Informal language:
Conversational tone including colloquialisms and slang.
Rhetorical questions:
Questions posed to provoke thought rather than elicit an answer (e.g. “Who wouldn’t want success?”).
Cliche:
an over-used expression. (e.g.It was a dark and stormy night).
Ethos:
Establishing credibility or authority (e.g.citing expertise).
Pathos:
Appealing to emotions (e.g. a personal anecdote).
Logos:
Appealing to logic through facts and statistics.
Chiasmus:
A rhetorical figure where words or phrases are reversed for effect (e.g. “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country”).
Antithesis:
Contrasting ideas placed in parallel structures (e.g. “It was the best of times
Jargon:
Specialised language usedoften defined by profession or group of shared interests.
Hyperbole:
Deliberate exaggeration for effect (e.g. “This product will change your life!”).
Anecdote:
A short personal story to illustrate a point.
Direct address:
Speaking directly to the audience (e.g. “You need to act now”).
Imperative:
An order or command for an action.
Repetition:
words or statements used more than once for emphasis
Point of view:
The author’s perspective or stance.
Bias:
The author’s subjective views or preferencesoften revealed through word choice.
Euphemism:
Mild or indirect phrasing to soften harsh realities (e.g. “passed away” instead of “died”).
Satire:
Use of humour irony
Lineation:
How lines are arranged in the poem (e.g. long lines
Stanza forms:
Groupings of lines (e.g. couplets
Enjambment:
A line that flows without pause into the next.
Caesura:
A pause within a line often marked by punctuation.
Volta:
A shift in tone or argument especially in sonnets.
Free verse:
Poetry without a regular rhyme or meter.
Imagery:
Vivid sensory descriptions to evoke specific images or emotions.
Alliteration:
Repetition of initial consonant sounds.
Assonance:
Repetition of vowel sounds (e.g. “The rain in Spain”).
Onomatopoeia:
Words that imitate sounds (e.g.”buzz
Cacophony
Use of harsh, discordant sounds.
Euphony
Use of pleasing, harmonious sounds.
Persona:
The voice or role assumed by the poet or speaker.
Dramatic monologue
A poem in which the speaker addresses a silent listener, revealing their character indirectly.
