Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

English Lit > Language, Structure and Form Devices > Flashcards

Language, Structure and Form Devices Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

Language
Structure
Form

A

How are words used to create effects?
How are texts put together to build interests and emotions for the reader?
How are texts categorised into different genres?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Allegory

A

LANGUAGE

A story, poem or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden message. Animal Farm, by George Orwell.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Allusion

A

LANGUAGE

An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly. ‘An allusion to Shakespeare.’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Amplification

A

STRUCTURE

Add further information to a sentence or statement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Anadiplosis

A

STRUCTURE
The last word of one clause or sentence is repeated as the first word of the following sentence.
E.g. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Anaphora

A

STRUCTURE

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Analogy

A

LANGUAGE

A comparison between one thing and another, typically for the purpose of explanation.
Life is like a box of chocolates.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Anastrophe

A

STRUCTURE
Inversion of the typical word order in a sentence.
Excited the children were when Santa entered the room.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Anecdote

A

FORM

A short, amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Anthropomorphism

A

LANGUAGE
Attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities.
E.g. Winnie the Pooh

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Antithesis

A

LANGUAGE

Two opposites are introduced together for contrasting effects.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Archetype

A

An idea, symbol, pattern or character type in a story. E.g. the Lover, Hero

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Aphorism

A

Concise, memorable expression of a general truth or principle.
Actions speak louder than words.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Aposiopesis

A

Structure

The device of suddenly breaking off speech.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Asyndeton

A

Structure
One or several conjunctions are deliberately omitted from a series of related clauses.
I came, I saw, I conquered.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Author intrusion

A

Author intentionally breaks from the narrative and addresses the reader directly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Bildungsroman

A

FORM

A coming of age novel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Cacophony

A

LANGUAGE

A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Catachresis

A

LANGUAGE
The use of a word in an incorrect way
Travesty for tragedy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Characterisation

A

Language?

The creation or construction of a fictional character.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Chiasmus

A

Structure?
Rhetorical device, two or more clauses are balance against each other by the reversal of their structures in order to produce an artistic effect.
Never let a fool kiss you, or a kiss fool you

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Conflict

A

Struggle between two opposing forces

Hamlet and Claudius

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Connotation

A

Language

A word or phrase that invokes meaning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Denotation

A

Language
Translation of a sign to its meaning
Hollywood- glitz and glamour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Deus ex machina

A

FORM
is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly and abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Diacope

A

Language

Repetition of a word or phrase with one or two intervening words

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Diction

A

Choice and use of words and phrases in writing or speech

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Doppelgänger

A

An apparition or double of a living person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Epanalepsis

A

Repetition of the initial part or clause of a sentence at the end of that same clause or sentence.
Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Epilogue

A

Structure

Comment or conclusion at the end of a novel or play

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Epistrophe

A

Repetition of the same word or words at the end of successive phrases.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Epizeuxis

A

Form of repetition in which one word or a short phrase is repeated in succession with no other word in-between.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Euphemism

A

Language

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh.
Passed away instead of died.

34
Q

Foreshadow

A

Language

Looking back on past events

35
Q

Foil

A

A character who contrasts with another character

Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy

36
Q

Folklore

A

FORM
Expressive body of culture shared by a particular group of people.
Tales, proverbs and jokes .

37
Q

Foregrounding

A

Making something the most prominent feature.

38
Q

Foreshadowing

A

LANGUAGE

A clue into events that will take place in the future.

39
Q

Hendiadys

A

Expression of a single idea by two words connected with and (nice and warm) when one could be used to modify the other (nicely warm)

40
Q

Hubris

A

Language

Excessive pride

41
Q

Hyperbaton

A

Structure

an inversion of the normal order of words, especially for the sake of emphasis, as in the sentence ‘ this I must see ’.

42
Q

Hyperbole

A

Exaggerated statements or claims not to be taken literally

He is running faster than the wind.

43
Q

Imagery

A

Language

Visually descriptive or figurative language

44
Q

In media res

A

Placed into the middle of the action.

45
Q

Irony

A

Language

the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

46
Q

Isocolon

A

An isocolon is a sentence or series of sentences composed of two or more phrases of similar structure and length.
I came, I saw, I conquered.

47
Q

Juxtaposition

A

Language

two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

48
Q

Litotes

A

Language

ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary (e.g. I shan’t be sorry for I shall be glad ).

49
Q

Malapropism

A

Language

the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with an amusing effect (e.g. ‘dance a flamingo ’ instead of flamenco ).

50
Q

Metaphor

A

Language

metaphor is a figure of speech that is used to make a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but do have something in common. Unlike a simile, where two things are compared directly using like or as, a metaphor’s comparison is more indirect, usually made by stating something is something else.
Eg. The snow is a white blanket

51
Q

Metonymy

A

Language

the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant, for example suit for business executive, or the turf for horse racing.

52
Q

Mood

A

Language

The atmosphere of the narrative.

53
Q

Motif

A

Language

A symbolic image or idea that appears frequently in a story.

54
Q

Oxymoron

A

Language

a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction (e.g. faith unfaithful kept him falsely true ).

55
Q

Paradox

A

Language

A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself, or that must be both true and untrue at the same time. … But a key part of paradoxes is that they at least sound reasonable. They’re not obvious nonsense, and it’s only upon consideration that we realize their self-defeating logic.
For example: This statement is a lie.

56
Q

Pathetic fallacy

A

Language

The weather connotes the mood of the character of piece.

57
Q

Periphrasis

A

Language

the use of indirect and circumlocutory speech or writing.

I am going to instead of I will.

58
Q

Personification

A

Language

the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.

59
Q

Plot

A

What is going to take place in a book, play or film.

60
Q

Point of view

A

Narration.

First person, second person or third person.

61
Q

Polyptoton

A

is the stylistic scheme in which words derived from the same root are repeated (such as “strong” and “strength”).

62
Q

Polysyndeton

A

Language

Meaning “bound together” in Greek, polysyndeton is a rhythmic literary device that relies on repeating conjunctions like and, but, or nor.

63
Q

Portmanteau

A

this device refers to the practice of joining together two or more words in order to create an entirely new word. This is often done in order to create a name or word for something by combining the individual characteristics of 2 or more other words.
Smog- from smoke and fog.

64
Q

Prologue

A

Structure

an opening to a story that establishes the context and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information.

65
Q

Puns

A

Language

A play on words, words with similar or identical sounds but with different meanings.

66
Q

Satire

A

FORM

the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

67
Q

Setting

A

the place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place.

68
Q

Simile

A

Language

Comparison using like or as

His teeth were as sharp as a razor.

69
Q

Spoonerism

A

Language

A spoonerism is an error in speech in which corresponding consonants, vowels, or morphemes are switched (see metathesis) between two words in a phrase.

70
Q

Stream of consciousness

A

Language

In literature, stream of consciousness is a method of narration that describes happenings in the flow of thoughts in the minds of the characters.

71
Q

Suspense

A

a state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.

72
Q

Symbol

A

a thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract.

Dove symbols hope.

73
Q

Synecdoche

A

Language

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa, as in England lost by six wickets (meaning ‘ the English cricket team’).

74
Q

Synesthesia

A

rhetorical device or figure of speech where one sense is described in terms of another. This may often take the form of a simile.

75
Q

Syntax

A

Language

the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

76
Q

Theme

A

the subject of a talk, piece of writing, exhibition, etc.; a topic.

77
Q

Tone

A

the tone of a literary work expresses the writer’s attitude toward or feelings about the subject matter and audience

78
Q

Tragedy

A

FORM

Tragedy is a form of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a main character.

79
Q

Understatement

A

Language

the presentation of something as being smaller or less good or important than it really is.

80
Q

Verisimilitude

A

The appearance of being true or real.

A typically kind character says “I’m so very sorry! It was an accident!” after accidentally tripping someone on the bus. In this example, the story has verisimilitude because a character who is known for being kind would, predictably, apologize after accidentally tripping someone.

81
Q

Zeugma

A

Language
A zeugma is a literary term for using one word to modify two other words, in two different ways. An example of a zeugma is, “She broke his car and his heart.” When you use one word to link two thoughts, you’re using a zeugma.

English Lit (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions