Literary Devices (TKAM Test) Flashcards
EXTRA: What is an Allegory?
While book/novel/play used to represent a more general message about real life issues
What is an Alliteration?
When a series of words or groups of words (phrases) all or almost all start with the same letter or sound.
What is a Allusion?
When the author makes a indirect reference to a figure/place/event originating outside of the text.
EXTRA: What is Anachronism?
An intentional error in the chronology/timeline of text, comedic effect (king says dope)
EXTRA: What is a Anaphora?
Phrase is repeated at beginning of each sentence
EXTRA: What is a Asyndeton?
When the writer leaves out conjunctions (by the people)
What is Colloquialism?
Use of informal language or slang to give realism to characters!!
EXTRA: What is an Epigraph?
Author gives a famous quotation with credit to introduce overarching themes
What is an Epistrophe
Opposite of anaphora
What is an Euphemism?
Use of mild word instead of a vulgar word (didn’t make it)
Foreshadowing and Flashback
Forshadowing: author indirectly hints at upcoming event
Flashback: interruption in narrative that depicts events that have previously occurred
What is a hyperbole?
An exaggerated statement not ment to be taken literally (so hungry could eat a horse)
What is Imagery?
When the author describes a scene so it appeals to the senses
What is Irony? What are the 3 types?
When statement is used to say something opposite than what is ment
VERBAL: says something, means other
SITUATIONAL: Different from expected
DRAMATIC: we know, characters don’t
EXTRA: What is juxtaposition?
Comparing/contrasting two or more opposite ideas/characters/objects, create clearer ideas of one by comparing it with ideas of another (X)
(Best of times, Worst of times)
What is Malapropism? Extra
Character misuses a word in place of one with a similar sound (flamingo)
Metaphor/simile
Not like/as
Like/as/similar
What is a mentonym? Extra
A related word or phrase used in place of something else (pen is mightier than the sword)
What is Mood?
Mood is the General feeling the writer wants the reader to have, achieved though word choice/dialog/setting
What is an Onomatopoeia?
Word or phrase in place of a sound (BANG)
What is an Oxymoron?
A compilation of words that contradictory meaning (deafening silence, organized chaos). Only 2 words, false OR true
What is a Paradox?
Paradox is LIKE an oxymoron, but upon examination, it could be true. Paradox is a whole phrase or sentence.
What is Personification?
Giving human qualities to non-human things.
What is Repetition?
When a phrase is repeated over and over usually for emphasis.
What is Satire?
Satire of the genre of writing that criticizes something, such as a person, behavior, belief, or society (employs irony, hyperbole and humor)
What is a Soliloquy?
When a character speaks aloud to himself to reveal his inner thoughts or feelings (Romeo)
What is Symbolism?
Symbolism refers to the use of an object/figure/event/situation or other idea to represent something else, typically a very deeper/broader meaning
EXTRA: What is a Synecdoche?
When part of something is used to represent the whole (help, I need a hand!) EXTREMELY SIMILAR TO metonym, but a metonym doesn’t have to represent the whole, just something associated.
What is Tone?
Like mood, but it’s how the writer feels or their attitude to a subject. Don’t have to agree.
