Literary Devices and Terminology Flashcards
analogy
a comparison of two different things that are similar in some way
archetype
a detail, image, or character type that occurs frequently in literature and myth and is thought to appear in a universal way to the unconscious and to evoke a response
climax
the point of highest interest in a literary work
colloquialism
informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing
absolute
a word free from limiting qualifications (“best,” “all,” “unique,” “perfect”)
diction
the word choices made by a writer
dilemma
a situation that requires a person to decide between two equally attractive or equally unattractive alternatives
hyperbole
intentional exaggeration to create and effect
euphemism
an indirect, less than offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant
idiom
an expression in a given language that cannot be understood from the literal meaning of the words in the expression
invective
an intensely vehement, highly emotional verbal attack
jargon
the specialized language or vocabulary of a particular group or profession
literary license
deviating from normal rules or methods in order to achieve a certain effect (intentional sentence fragments, for example)
motif
a standard element, or dramatic situation that recurs in various works (adds to the theme/message)
parallelism
the use of corresponding grammatical or syntactical
pathos
the quality in a work that prompts
rhetoric
the art of presenting ideas in a clear, effective and persuasive manner
round character
a character who demonstrates some complexity and who develops or changes in the course of a work
satire
the use of humor to emphasize human weakness or imperfections in social institutions
syntax
the manner in which words are arranged in to sentences
trite
overused
vernacular
the everyday speech of a particular country or region, often involving nonstandard usage
