Literary Analysis Terms Flashcards
ALLITERATION
Repetition of sound in the first syllable in a series of words (EX: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers)
ALLUSION
A reference to a mythological, literary, well-known, or historical person, place, thing or event (Ex: To act or not to act, that was Maria’s dilemma)
ANTITHESIS
A direct juxtaposition of structurally parallel words, phrases, or clauses for the purpose of contrast. Antithesis can be used at the sentence level. It can also be set on a broader level, such as in characterization or setting. It does not necessarily imply conflict though. (EX: To err is human, to forgive, divine)
APOSTROPHE
A form of personification in which the absent or dead or the inanimate are spoken to as if present.
ASSONANCE
The repetition of accented vowel sounds in a series of words. (i.e. Try to light the fire)
CONNOTATION
The implicit rather than the explicit meaning of a word and consists of the suggestions, associations, and emotional overtones attached to a word. EX: childlike vs. youthful
CONSONANCE
The repetition of a consonant sound in the middle or end of words to produce a harmonious effect. (i.e. Don’t eat in that tent!)
DENOTATION
The exact, literal definition of a word independent of any emotion associated or secondary meaning.
DICTION
Word choice intended to convey a certain effect.
FIGURES OF SPEECH
Word or phrases that describe one thing in terms of something else; used to produce vivid imagery through a comparison between seemingly unlike things
HYPERBOLE
Exaggeration; recognition must precede correction
IMAGERY
Words or phrases a writer uses to represent persons, objects, actions, feelings, and ideas descriptively by appealing to the senses
IRONY (including 3 types)
Saying/doing one thing when another is meant; (1) VERBAL - contrast b/t what is said and what is meant; (2) DRAMATIC - when the reader knows something a character does not know; (3) SITUATIONAL - contrast b/t what happens and what was expected
“LIST”
Using a list of items (often people or ideas) generally similar except for one or two incongruous items which the satirist is criticizing
METAPHOR
An implied comparison of two unlike things NOT using “like” or “as”; EX: Time is money
MOOD
The reader’s feelings or emotions resulting from the writing (atmosphere)
PARADOX
A statement (or group of statements) that seem contradictory but often have an element of truth; EX: be cruel to be kind
PERSONIFICATION
A kind of metaphor in which inanimate objects or abstract ideas are made to act and/or given human characteristics (EX: The wind cried in the dark)
POINT OF VIEW
The viewpoint from which the story is told (first person, 3rd omniscient, limited omniscient, objective/dramatic i.e. roving movie camera)
PUN
A deliberate confusion of similar words (EX: The truest poetry is the most feigning)
REPETITION
Repeated use of sounds, words, phrases, or situations
SARCASM
The use of verbal irony in which a person appears to be praising something but is actually insulting it
SHIFT
A change or movement in a piece resulting from an epiphany, realization, or insight gained by the speaker, a character, or the reader. (
SIMILE
A comparison of two different things or ideas through the use of words “like” or “as” (EX: The warrior fought like a lion)
