Lit Terms (1-20)

Question 1

Allegory

Answer 1

Uses symbols to convey a hidden meaning, usually a moral or a political one.

Question 2

Allusion

Answer 2

Brief, indistinct reference to a person, place, thing, or idea that’s culturally, historically, politically, or literary significant.

Question 3

Analogy

Answer 3

Compares two different things that are usually thought of as different to help the reader understand their relationship.

Question 4

Anecdote

Answer 4

A short, personal story/event used within a larger piece of writing to illustrate a point, add character depth, or engage the reader.

Question 5

Antagonist

Answer 5

A character or force that opposes the main character, or protagonist, and creates conflict in the story.

Question 6

Apostrophe

Answer 6

When a speaker addresses a person or thing that is not present, or a personified object.

Question 7

Appeals:
a. Logos
b. Ethos
c. Pathos

Answer 7

a. Logos-appeal to logic, uses logic/reasoning to persuade an audience.
b. Ethos-Rhetorical device, persuades readers by appealing to their ethics and moral values.
c. Pathos-uses emotional appel to persuade an audience by evoking a specific feeling.

Question 8

Connotation

Answer 8

Refers to the implied meaning of a word or phrase beyond its literal definition. ex: aroma, scent/smell, stench

Question 9

Denotation

Answer 9

The literal meaning of a word, it’s dictionary definition.

Question 10

Diction

Answer 10

The words and phrases a writer chooses to convey a meaning or establish a style.

Question 11

Epic

Answer 11

A long narrative poem that tells the story of a hero or groups of heroes’ heroic deeds.

Question 12

Epigraph

Answer 12

A short quote included at the beginning of a piece of writing.

Question 13

Epithet

Answer 13

Describes a person, place, or thing using a word or phrase.

Question 14

Euphemism

Answer 14

A word or phrase that indirectly refers to an uncomfortable or unpleasant topic.

Question 15

Evidence

Answer 15

Information that supports a claim or argument in a paper.

Question 16

Figurative language

Answer 16

The use of words or phrases that are not meant to be taken literally, instead conveying a deeper meaning or creating a vivid image through comparisions, exaggeration, or other creative techniques.

Question 17

Foil

Answer 17

A character whose traits and actions directly contrast with anothe character, usually the protagonist, highlighting and emphasizing the protagonist’s qualities by providing a clear comparison.

Question 18

Foreshadow

Answer 18

Writing technique where an author subtly hints at future events in a story, creating suspense/anticipation.

Question 19

Genre

Answer 19

Category/type of artistic work (like a book or movie), that shares similar characterostoc in terms of content, style, and form, allowing readers/viewers to have a general idea of what to expect.

Question 20

Hyperbole

Answer 20

Uses extreme exaggeration to emphasize a feeling, issue, or situation.