foreshadowing - persona Flashcards
foreshadowing - definition
When an author gives hints about what will occur later in a story.
foreshadowing - example
at the beginning of a story a character talks about hating wolves and then later on they have a encounter with a whole pack.
foreshadowing - impact on text
helps to build suspense in a story, spark curiosity in a reader, and have a satisfying “aha” moment
genre - definition
The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama. However, genres can be subdivided as well (poetry can be classified into lyric, dramatic, narrative, etc.).
gothic - definition
Writing characterized by gloom, mystery, fear and/or death. Also refers to an architectural style of the middle ages, often seen in cathedrals of this period.
gothic - example
edgar allan poe the raven
imagery - definition
Word or words that create a picture in the reader’s mind. Usually this involves the five senses. Authors often use imagery in conjunction with metaphors, similes, or figures of speech.
imagery - example
The old book had water spots across its spine. Some of the pages yellowed.
imagery - impact on text
can be used to enhance character, setting, meaning, and the theme in the text.
invective - definition
A long, emotionally violent, attack using strong, abusive language.
invective - example
with such gallant bravery, you are sure to be alone for the rest of your days
invective - impact on text
can be used to attack, belittle, or frighten an adversary.
irony - definition
When the opposite of what you expect to happen does.
verbal irony - definition
When you say something and mean the opposite/something different.
verbal irony - example
if your gym teacher wants you to run a mile in eight minutes or faster, but calls it a “walk in the park” it would be verbal irony.
verbal irony - impact on text
indirectly characterizing different people in a novel.
dramatic irony - definition
When the audience of a drama, play, movie, etc. knows something that the character doesn’t and would be surprised to find out.
dramatic irony - example
in many horror movies, we (the audience) know who the killer is, which the victim-to-be has no idea who is doing the slaying. Sometimes the character trusts the killer completely when (ironically) he/she shouldn’t.
dramatic irony - impact on text
enhances the audience’s connection to the narrative by creating suspense and anticipation as they foresee the characters’ eventual realization.
situational irony - definition
Found in the plot (or story line) of a book, story, or movie. Sometimes it makes you laugh because it’s funny how things turn out.
situational irony - example
Johnny spent two hours planning on sneaking into the movie theater and missed the movie. When he finally did manage to sneak inside he found out that kids were admitted free that day
situational irony - impact on text
situational irony adds a splash of unexpectedness that can make a story truly unforgettable.
juxtaposition - definition
Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison. Authors often use juxtaposition of ideas or examples in order to make a point.
juxtaposition - example
an author my juxtapose the average day of a typical American with that of someone in the third world in order to make a point of social commentary
juxtaposition - impact on text
This can help strengthen an argument, create an emotional response, or otherwise add meaning.
mood - definition
The atmosphere created by the literature and accomplished through word choice (diction). Syntax is often a creator of mood since word order, sentence length and strength and complexity also affect pacing and therefore mood. Setting, tone, and events can all affect the mood.
motif - definition
a recurring idea in a piece of literature.
motif - example
In To Kill a Mockingbird, the idea that “you never really understand another person until you consider things from his or her point of view”
motif - impact on text
A motif can highlight something about a character, to help us understand them better, or it can help to establish the mood of the story. Often, motifs reinforce the themes of the story.
oxymoron - definition
When apparently contradictory terms are grouped together and suggest a paradox
oxymoron - example
“wise fool,” “eloquent silence,” “jumbo shrimp.”
oxymoron - impact on text
The resulting phrase helps to build dramatic effect or create a playful tone within a more complex idea. That’s why oxymorons are often used in speeches to add humor, sarcasm, or irony.
pacing - definition
The speed or tempo of an author’s writing.
pacing - example
Writers can use a variety of devices (syntax, polysyndeton, anaphora, meter) to change the pacing of their words. An author’s pacing can be fast, sluggish, stabbing, vibrato, staccato, measured, etc.
pacing - impact on text
The pace at which a story is told can influence the reader’s emotional response to the events and characters in the story. For example, slow pacing can create suspense, while fast pacing can increase tension.
paradox - definition
A seemingly contradictory situation which is actually true.
paradox - example
“You can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without getting a job.”
paradox - impact on text
When a reader looks at a paradox, they look over the idea in a more innovative way. When a reader sees a paradox, think of it as a “Huh, that’s interesting” moment.
parallelism - definition
(Also known as parallel structure or balanced sentences.) Sentence construction which places equal grammatical constructions near each other, or repeats identical grammatical patterns.
parallelism - example
“Cinderella swept the floor, dusted the mantle, and beat the rugs.”
parallelism - impact on text
Parallelism is used to add emphasis, organization, or sometimes pacing to writing.
anaphora - definition
Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences or clauses in a row.
anaphora - example
“I came, I saw, I conquered.”
anaphora - impact on text
This is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer’s point more coherent.
chiasmus - definition
When the same words are used twice in succession, but the second time, the order of the words is reversed.
chiasmus - example
“Fair is foul and foul is fair.”
chiasmus - impact on text
The technique creates a memorable rhythm and deepens the idea through contrast, which makes this a very powerful part of the poem. If the concepts are similar rather than contrasting, chiasmus creates emphasis.
antithesis - definition
Two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses, or even ideas, with parallel structure.
antithesis - example
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”
antithesis - impact on text
Antithesis enhances your writing by illuminating differences and making your point more persuasive.
zeugma - definition
When a single word governs or modifies two or more other words, and the meaning of the first word must change for each of the other words it governs or modifies.
zeugma - example
“The butler killed the lights, and then the mistress.”
zeugma - impact on text
Zeugma is often used to add emotion, produce a level of shock, create a thoughtful effect, or add emotion.
parenthetical thesis - definition
Parentheses are used to set off an idea from the rest of the sentence. It is almost considered an aside…a whisper, and should be used sparingly for effect, rather than repeatedly. Parentheses can also be used to set off dates and numbers.
parenthetical thesis - example
In a short time (and the time is getting shorter by the gallon) America will be out of oil.”
parenthetical thesis - impact on text
used to create background and used to intensify the effect of something said.
parody - definition
An exaggerated imitation of a serious work for humorous purposes. It borrows words or phrases from an original, and pokes fun at it. This is also a form of allusion, since it is referencing a previous text
parody - example
The Simpsons often parody Shakespeare plays. Saturday Night Live also parodies famous persons and events. Do not confuse with satire.
persona - definition
The fictional mask or narrator that tells a story. Do not confuse with alter-ego.
