Literary Elements Flashcards
Theme
the theme summarizes or asserts to the reader some main point, doctrine, or generalization about life, love, religion, the condition of the world, and so forth. Usually implied.
Anecdote
a brief narrative centered on an event or incident
Descriptive or expressive purpose
In description, the prose writer, poet, or dramatist attempts to “paint a picture with words.” Description can be factual (i.e. the color and dimensions of an object) or impressionistic (such as describing what love feels like)
Expository or informative purpose
Exposition explains or tells how to do something. Most instructional textbooks are written with an expository purpose. The expository or informative writer includes ideas and facts about the focus subject.
Narrative purpose
A narrator tells a story. An important element of narration is time–events unfolding through time.
Argumentative and/or persuasive purpose
A writer or speaker uses argumentation to convincer readers or hearers of the truth (or falsehood) of a proposition. The purpose of persuasive writing is to convince the reader or hearer that some action must be taken. Expository, informative, and argumentative writing focuses on the subject; persuasion focuses on the reader or listener.
Topic
subject of a work
Thesis
central idea of the work. The writer’s position on the topic
Rhythm
a variation of stressed and unstressed sounds that has some type or regular pattern, with grouping of the sounds into units.
Iambic pentameter
five units (meters) of unstressed, then stressed syllables in one line of poetry. Iambic foot (X /) unstressed, stressed. Pentameter = five iambic feet/line
Free verse
free or a regular meter. Free verse often is characterized by short, irregular lines and no rhyme pattern.
Blank verse
blank verse is written in iambic pentameter, but with no rhyme pattern. It is the major verse form used by Shakespeare in his plays.
Couplet and Heroic Couplet
a couplet consists of two grouped lines that rhyme. Heroic couplets are written in iambic pentameter.
Sonnet
a 14-line poem written in iambic pentameter.
Genere
The product of a work’s sequence pattern, organization of thought, subject, and/or structure (parts).
Setting
the setting is the TIME and PLACE of the story, as well as the SOCIOECONOMIC background of the characters
Plot structure/order:
Exposition -> Rising Action Complication -> Climax -> Falling action Denouement
Tragedy
in a tragic narrative, humans do ont and cannot overcome inevitable failure; although they may demonstrate grace and courage along the way.
Comedy
a comic effect is produced when the plot leads the characters into amusing situations, ridiculous complications, and a happy ending.
Satire
a narrative is satiric when it makes a subject look ridiculous. The subjects being derided can range from an individual to society. When a satire is in the extreme, it is called a FARCE.
Fable
The fable centers on a moral. The moral is often expressed in an epigram put forth by the writer or one of the characters at the end.
Parable
The parable teaches a lesson by using very tightly structured allegory.
Sprung rhythm
Each foot of a poem begins with a stressed syllable, and the numbers of syllables in a foot varies from one foot to the next.
English sonnets
abab cdcd efef gg rhyme scheme. cdcd -> progression of ideas, gg -> summary or reversal
Italian sonnet
abbaabba cdecde. abbaabba -> makes a statement or asks a question, cdecde -> explores concept or answers question
Stanza
a stanza consists of lines that are grouped together in a poem because of the rhythm, rhyme scheme, and/or meaning.
Elegy
an elegy is a lament over the death of someone or the loss of something.
Ode
a complex, serious, long lyric poem. The purpose of many odes it to eulogize someone or something.
Ballad
narrative songs that may be sung or simply recited. The subjects are usually courage or love. They sometimes contain repetition of words or phrases for effect, and consist of four-line stanzas in an abcb defe rhyme scheme. Generally, a ballad is in iambic foot (with alternating lines of tetrameter and trimeter)
Concrete poetry
highly graphic, modern poems that are also graphic art.
Exposition/introduction
setting is established and the audience meets the main characters
Conflict/exciting force
the conflict is the point at which you recognize a threat to something and/or to someone. Obstacles (called the exciting force) are placed in the way of the protagonist and set into motion the rising action of the play.
Rising action/complication
a series of emotional highs and lows, with each high gaining intensity.
Climax/crisis/turning point
the point at which there is a reversal from rising action to falling action
Falling Action
Briefer than rising action. Gives the reader or audience a sense of completion.
Resolution/denouement/conclusion
The hero has won or lost; issues are resolved; order is restored.
Theater of the Absurd and surrealism
Plays written in the Theater of the Absurd (1950-60s) do not have any recognizable elements of plot. These dramas consist of images of confused people in a strange (in terms of understanding) world. A pattern emerges but not plot. They often contain elements of surrealism (dream images and imaginary expressions)
Monologue
When an actor delivers a speech in the presence of other characters who listen, but do not speak.
The aside
when an actor speaks directly to the audience; however, the rest of the actors on stage supposedly cannot hear him or her.
Soliloquy
When an actor delivers a speech when he or she is alone, expressing thoughts.
Parody
a comic or satiric imitation of a more serious work. It generally ridicules a work, an author, or a style.
Romance
a romantic narrative (called a prose romance) has clear distinctions between the “good guys and the bad guys,” an adventurous plot, and events that occasionally demand that the reader believe the otherwise unbelievable.
Realism
A realistic narrative is in contrast to the romance. It tries to mirror real life, not present life as the reader thinks or wishes it could be. In realism, the leading characters are not necessarily beautiful or handsome, rich or talented. The plot revolves around events that people face very day in a real world.
Dramatic monologue
A persona (someone who is not the poet) unintentionally reveals his or her character by expressing a poem in dramatic circumstances. There may or may not be a silent auditor or listener (the poem to whom the monologue is being addressed).
Epigram
short poems that are characteristically witty with a twist in the thought at the end. An epigram, however, can also be defined as simply a clever saying used for a variety of purposes, including to eulogize, to compliment, or to satirize. Latin epigram ex:
“Three things must epigrams, like bees, all have,
A sting, and honey, and a body small.”
