Lit Terms (1-20) Flashcards
Allegory
Uses symbols to convey a hidden meaning, usually a moral or a political one.
Allusion
Brief, indistinct reference to a person, place, thing, or idea that’s culturally, historically, politically, or literary significant.
Analogy
Compares two different things that are usually thought of as different to help the reader understand their relationship.
Anecdote
A short, personal story/event used within a larger piece of writing to illustrate a point, add character depth, or engage the reader.
Antagonist
A character or force that opposes the main character, or protagonist, and creates conflict in the story.
Apostrophe
When a speaker addresses a person or thing that is not present, or a personified object.
Appeals:
a. Logos
b. Ethos
c. Pathos
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.
Connotation
Refers to the implied meaning of a word or phrase beyond its literal definition. ex: aroma, scent/smell, stench
Denotation
The literal meaning of a word, it’s dictionary definition.
Diction
The words and phrases a writer chooses to convey a meaning or establish a style.
Epic
A long narrative poem that tells the story of a hero or groups of heroes’ heroic deeds.
Epigraph
A short quote included at the beginning of a piece of writing.
Epithet
Describes a person, place, or thing using a word or phrase.
Euphemism
A word or phrase that indirectly refers to an uncomfortable or unpleasant topic.
Evidence
Information that supports a claim or argument in a paper.
Figurative language
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.
Foil
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.
Foreshadow
Writing technique where an author subtly hints at future events in a story, creating suspense/anticipation.
Genre
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.
Hyperbole
Uses extreme exaggeration to emphasize a feeling, issue, or situation.