Final Exam Literary Devices : Definitions Flashcards
I suggest doing this deck first.
Device using characters and story elements symbolically to abstract addition to the meaning. Usually deals with moral truth or generalization of humanity (interpreting media to reveal hidden meanings).
Allegory
When exact repetition of words or phrases are used in the beginning of a succession of lines or sentences (parallelism sub-type).
Anaphora
Repetition of sounds, specifically initial consonant sounds in words close to each other (can reinforce meaning, echo the passage, unify ideas, or supply theatrical sound).
Alliteration
Visual symbolism, evoking mental pictures or other kinds of sense impressions.
Imagery
Hints or clues that suggest events yet to occur (can develop or undermine the audiences expectations about upcoming events).
Foreshadowing
Use of words to suggest a different association than its literal meaning (can be positive, negative, or neutral).
Connotation
Prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work (similar to tone and atmosphere).
Mood
Persuade or subtly influence the audience; it’s asked for effect, not an answer.
Rhetorical Question
Informal, commonplace language specific to demographic or time period (conveys authenticity).
Colloquialism
A word, clause, or phrase referred to by a pronoun.
Antecedent
A character that provides a sharp contrast to other characters in the same work (better highlights or differentiates certain qualities of the character).
Foil
An attack or insult to a person or thing through use of abusive language and tone.
Invective
Multiple meanings of words, phrases, passages, or sentences (can be intentional or not), + something with multiple interpretations.
Ambiguity
Using strong feelings to engage the reader (relieving a strong emotion by expressing it).
Catharsis
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for unpleasant words/concepts (used to adhere to the standard of socio-political correctness).
Euphemism
Rural or natural setting, focuses on connection between nation and humanity in rural areas.
Pastoral
A group of words working together, containing both a subject and verb (can be dependent or independent).
Clause
Natural sound imitation through the sound of words.
Onomatopoeia
Art of using languages well, using spoken and written language or discourse to influence others (often through compositional devices).
Rhetoric
A writers unique style of expression, especially their choice and arrangements of words (also their vocab, use of language for tone and atmosphere, and ability to communicate).
Diction
Expresses the attitude of the author’s to feelings of subject matter or audience.
Tone
Central subject/message in narration.
Theme
Greek word referring to the character of personal groups (their credibility and moral values, appealing to readers ethics).
Ethos
To appeal to the sense of logic or reason of the audiences to connect ideas and include the use of facts and statistics.
Logos
A figure of speech using exaggeration or overstatement - Greek for “overshoot”.
Hyperbole
Closely imitating the style or content of another with specific comedic effect (exploits peculiarities of expression).
Parody
Dramatic or distorted representation of a person, exaggerating some aspects and simplifying others (usually to highlight their distinguishing personality or physical features).
Caricature
The name of an object or concept is replaced with a word closely related to or suggested by the original.
Metonymy
Major claim or point made by the author to introduce a main argument/point.
Thesis
A statement appearing to be self contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection, it holds some degree of truth/validity,
Paradox
A major category into which a literary work fits, within those exist many subdivisions.
Genre
A section of a composition/speech that marks a temporary shift of subject (allows authors to delve into topics not considered beforehand).
Digression (AKA Deviations/Tangents)
Blend of unharmonic sounds, used to emphasize disorder/violence.
Cacophony
“Point fully foolish” in Greek, the author groups contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.
Oxymoron
The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of them.
Narrative
A distinctive feature (image or roles) that occurs throughout the work that is in and of itself, but could also have a symbolic meaning.
Motif
Object, person, situations, or actions that have literal meaning in a story but suggest or represents others.
Symbol
Referencing something commonly known directly OR indirectly (can be historic, mythical, religious, literary, or form all kinds of media).
Allusion
Implicitly comparing two unrelated things, typically by stating one thing is another.
Metaphor
A story designed to suggest a principle, illustrate a moral, or answer a question.
Parable
Evoked a certain response, feeling, or connection in the audience.
Pathos
A situation when there’s contrast between reality and expectations (meaning is the opposite of what is stated).
Irony
Contrast/opposition of ideas expressed in grammatically balanced sentences (parallelism of words that are opposite).
Antithesis
Directly addressing absent/imaginary persons or a personified abstraction.
Apostrophe
Abrupt statement of known authorship expressing general truth and/or moral principle (used as summation of point).
Aphorism
Comparison of two things using like or as.
Simile
Where (location) and when (time frame) the narrative takes place.
Setting
Exaggeration, ridicule, or criticism of an aspect in society and inflating it to absurdity (social commentary).
Satire
The perspective of the character or narrator telling a story (what they can see, hear, etc.).
Point of View (POV)
Conveying abstract ideas by giving inanimate/non human objects and animals human characteristics (actions, behaviors, emotions).
Personification
