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English exam > Literacy Terms > Flashcards

Literacy Terms Flashcards

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Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

Alliteration and ex

A

the repetition of a consonant at the beginning of a word Ex. Peter Piper picked..

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2
Q

Allusion and ex

A

a brief reference to a person, place or event, assumed to be easily recognizable by the reader.

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3
Q

Crisis and ex

A

the turning point in the action.

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4
Q

Onomatopoeia and ex

A

the sound of a word suggests its meaning. Ex. Crash

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5
Q

Hyperbole and ex

A

a serious, deliberate exaggeration.

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6
Q

Pun and ex

A

a play on words that sound the same, but have different meanings. Ex. Tire store sign: “Our work is tiring, but we do take brakes.”

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7
Q

Theme and ex

A

the lesson or moral the author is trying to convey. Theme is a statement, not a topic. Ex. Topic: Love Theme: Love hurts.

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8
Q

Symbol and ex

A

a concrete representation of something that is abstract. Ex. The cross is a symbol of Christianity.

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9
Q

Oxymoron and ex

A

Oxymoron - a contradiction in terms. Ex. Sweet sorrow

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10
Q

Paradox and ex

A

a statement that at first does not appear to make sense (because it is a contradiction), but after further thought, it does make sense. Ex. Make haste slowly.

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11
Q

Foreshadowing and ex

A

a hint of what will happen later in a story.

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12
Q

Imagery and ex

A

a mental picture created by words (not always visual – could appeal to other senses).

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13
Q

Suspense and ex

A

a mental uncertainty as to the outcome of events.

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14
Q

Pathos and ex

A

a quality in writing that evokes sympathy for a character.

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15
Q

Figurative Language

A

you say something other than you mean (the opposite of literal language).

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16
Q

What are the 3 methods of Figurative Language?

A

metaphor, simile, personification

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17
Q

Metaphor and ex

A

an indirect/implied comparison of two unlike things without using ‘like’ or ‘as.’ Ex. Drop Dead

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18
Q

Personification and ex

A

a metaphor that gives human qualities to objects, animals, or ideas. Ex. The engine screamed.

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19
Q

Simile and ex

A

a direct/stated comparison of two unlike things using ‘like’ or ‘as.’ Ex. She runs like the wind.

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20
Q

Denotation and ex

A

the literal or dictionary meaning of a word. Ex. Fist is a closed hand.

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21
Q

Connotation and ex

A

the meaning a word has developed over time. Ex. Fist connotes violence.

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22
Q

Irony and ex

A

an outcome which is the opposite of what one would expect. Ex. Fire station burns down.

23
Q

Sarcasm and ex

A

verbal irony – saying something, but meaning the opposite. Intent is to harm/insult. Ex. “Way to go Einstein!” (if you fail a test).

24
Q

Satire and ex

A
  • the combination of critical attitude with wit, humor, or exaggeration to improve humanity. The author will make the subject appear so ridiculous that it is obvious that he/she is making some critical comment about it. Very similar to sarcasm, except that the intent of satire is to instruct. Ex. “You really studied hard for that test!” (if you fail a test).
25
Q

Dramatic Irony and ex

A

the audience is aware of a double meaning which the characters involved are not.

26
Q

Setting and ex

A

the time, place, and circumstances of a story.

27
Q

Mood and ex

A

the feelings created in the reader after he/she reads something.

28
Q

Tone and ex

A

the attitude of the author towards the subject.

29
Q

Anachronism and ex

A

an item which is not in its correct historical context. Ex. Jesus wearing Nikes.

30
Q

Pathetic Fallacy and ex

A

events in nature mirror the emotions of humans.

31
Q

Nemesis and ex

A

retributive justice (getting what you deserve).

32
Q

Narrative Point of View (Method of Narration) and ex

A

the technique the author uses to tell a story. Ex. 1st person, etc.

33
Q

Diction and ex

A

the words that the author chooses. Word choice can be important in establishing tone and meaning.

34
Q

Soliloquy and ex

A

the convention by which a character, alone on the stage, utters his/her thoughts/feelings aloud.

35
Q

Comic Relief and ex

A

the introduction of comic characters, speeches, or scenes in a serious or tragic work – usually to alleviate the tension.

36
Q

Character Foil and ex

A

a person who through strong contrast underscores or enhances the distinctive characteristics of another.

37
Q

Hamartia and ex

A

a tragic character flaw.

38
Q

Hubris and ex

A

the tragic character flaw of excessive pride.

39
Q

Conflict and ex

A

the struggle existing between two forces.

40
Q

Climax and ex

A

the emotional high point of a story.

41
Q

Protagonist and ex

A

the main character of a story.

42
Q

Antagonist and ex

A

the character who opposes the main character.

43
Q

Euphemism and ex

A

an inoffensive, indirect word or phrase used to soften the blow of a harsher word. Ex. “Passed away” is a euphemism for “died.”

44
Q

Cacophony and ex

A

a series of harsh sounds used to create an unsettling effect.

45
Q

Euphony and ex

A

soft, gentle, musical words put together to produce a soothing effect.

46
Q

Cliche and ex

A

an old, worn out overused expression that has lost all of its originality and interest. Ex. I’m as cool as a cucumber

47
Q

Understatement and ex

A

deliberate downplaying of the importance of an object or ideal in order to emphasize its importance.

48
Q

Antithesis and ex

A

the opposite or contrast to something else. Ex. Hitler is the antithesis of Mother Theresa

49
Q

Catharsis and ex

A

the releasing effect we feel when we finally let go of our pent-up emotions.

50
Q

Motif and ex

A

any recurring image or idea in a story which tells us about the meaning of the story or its themes.

51
Q

Juxtaposition and ex

A

contrasting things are put side by side for a surprising or shocking effect. Ex. The beautiful flowers still grow beside a crematorium in a Nazi concentration camp.

52
Q

Non-sequitor and ex

A

a jump from one argument to another with no logical effect.

53
Q

Pun and example

A

A play on word that have the same sounds, but diffrenet meanings. Ex, (review)

English exam (2 decks)

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