Literacy Terms Review

Question 1

Allegory

Answer 1

• A story with two levels of meaning: a literal one and a symbolic one. Often, it conveys a moral, political, or philosophical message.
• Example: Animal Farm by George Orwell, where animals represent figures from the Russian Revolution.

Question 2

Alliteration

Answer 2

• The repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words to create rhythm or emphasis.
• Example: “She sells seashells by the seashore.”

Question 3

Allusion

Answer 3

• A reference to a well-known person, event, or piece of literature, meant to evoke a connection without lengthy explanation.
• Example: Saying someone “has the patience of Job” alludes to the Biblical figure known for enduring hardships.

Question 4

Archetype

Answer 4

• A universal symbol or character that appears across cultures and literature, often representing typical human behaviors or roles.
• Example: The “hero” archetype is found in many stories, like Harry Potter or Luke Skywalker.

Question 5

Assonance

Answer 5

• The repetition of vowel sounds within close proximity in a line of poetry or prose, often used to add rhythm or mood.
• Example: “The early bird catches the worm.”

Question 6

Atmosphere

Answer 6

• The overall feeling or mood that a writer creates for the reader, often established through setting, imagery, and tone.
• Example: A dark and stormy setting often creates a gloomy or suspenseful atmosphere.

Question 7

Apostrophe

Answer 7

• A figure of speech in which the speaker directly addresses someone absent, dead, or a personified concept.
• Example: “O Death, where is thy sting?”

Question 8

Canon

Answer 8

• Works considered essential or most representative of a particular period, culture, or genre.
• Example: The works of Shakespeare are considered part of the English literary canon.

Question 9

Connotation

Answer 9

• The emotional or cultural association with a word beyond its literal definition.
• Example: “Home” connotes warmth, comfort, and family, beyond just a physical house.

Question 10

Diction

Answer 10

• The writer’s choice of words, which affects the tone and style of the text.
• Example: Formal diction may use complex words, while informal diction includes slang or conversational language.

Question 11

Dramatic Irony

Answer 11

• When the audience knows something that the characters do not, creating tension or humor.
• Example: In Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows Juliet is alive, but Romeo does not.

Question 12

Epiphany

Answer 12

• A sudden realization or insight that changes a character’s understanding or perspective.
• Example: In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout has an epiphany about the importance of empathy.

Question 13

Euphemism

Answer 13

• A milder or less direct word or phrase used to avoid harshness or bluntness.
• Example: Saying “passed away” instead of “died.”

Question 14

Foreshadowing

Answer 14

• Clues or hints about what will happen later in the story, often used to build suspense.
• Example: Dark clouds in the sky can foreshadow trouble or sadness.

Question 15

Free Verse

Answer 15

• A type of poetry that does not adhere to any specific rhyme or meter.
• Example: Much of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass is written in free verse.

Question 16

Hyperbole

Answer 16

• Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect.
• Example: “I’ve told you a million times!”

Question 17

Juxtaposition

Answer 17

• Placing two elements side by side to highlight their contrasts or comparisons.
• Example: Beauty and ugliness juxtaposed to emphasize each quality.

Question 18

Metaphor

Answer 18

• A figure of speech comparing two things without using “like” or “as,” saying one thing is another.
• Example: “Time is a thief.”

Question 19

Motif

Answer 19

• A recurring element, symbol, or idea in a work of literature that helps develop the theme.
• Example: Darkness as a motif in Macbeth, symbolizing evil and secrecy.

Question 20

Oxymoron

Answer 20

• A phrase combining two contradictory terms.
• Example: “Deafening silence.”

Question 21

Pathos

Answer 21

• An appeal to the audience’s emotions, aiming to elicit feelings of sympathy, sorrow, or excitement.
• Example: Describing the hardship of a character’s struggle to evoke sympathy from readers.

Question 22

Personification

Answer 22

• Giving human characteristics to non-human objects or concepts.
• Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.”

Question 23

Protagonist

Answer 23

• The main character in a story, often facing a central conflict or pursuing a goal.
• Example: Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Question 24

Pun

Answer 24

• A play on words, often for humorous effect, using multiple meanings or similar sounds.
• Example: “Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.”

Question 25

Simile

Answer 25

• A figure of speech comparing two things using “like” or “as.”
• Example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”

Question 26

Tone

Answer 26

• The author’s attitude toward the subject or audience, revealed through word choice, style, and perspective.
• Example: A sarcastic tone in a character’s dialogue could suggest irony or disbelief.