Literary Elements

Question 1

Theme

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Anecdote

Answer 2

a brief narrative centered on an event or incident

Question 3

Descriptive or expressive purpose

Answer 3

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)

Question 4

Expository or informative purpose

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Narrative purpose

Answer 5

A narrator tells a story. An important element of narration is time–events unfolding through time.

Question 6

Argumentative and/or persuasive purpose

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Topic

Answer 7

subject of a work

Question 8

Thesis

Answer 8

central idea of the work. The writer’s position on the topic

Question 9

Rhythm

Answer 9

a variation of stressed and unstressed sounds that has some type or regular pattern, with grouping of the sounds into units.

Question 10

Iambic pentameter

Answer 10

five units (meters) of unstressed, then stressed syllables in one line of poetry. Iambic foot (X /) unstressed, stressed. Pentameter = five iambic feet/line

Question 11

Free verse

Answer 11

free or a regular meter. Free verse often is characterized by short, irregular lines and no rhyme pattern.

Question 12

Blank verse

Answer 12

blank verse is written in iambic pentameter, but with no rhyme pattern. It is the major verse form used by Shakespeare in his plays.

Question 13

Couplet and Heroic Couplet

Answer 13

a couplet consists of two grouped lines that rhyme. Heroic couplets are written in iambic pentameter.

Question 14

Sonnet

Answer 14

a 14-line poem written in iambic pentameter.

Question 15

Genere

Answer 15

The product of a work’s sequence pattern, organization of thought, subject, and/or structure (parts).

Question 16

Setting

Answer 16

the setting is the TIME and PLACE of the story, as well as the SOCIOECONOMIC background of the characters

Question 17

Plot structure/order:

Answer 17

Exposition -> Rising Action Complication -> Climax -> Falling action Denouement

Question 18

Tragedy

Answer 18

in a tragic narrative, humans do ont and cannot overcome inevitable failure; although they may demonstrate grace and courage along the way.

Question 19

Comedy

Answer 19

a comic effect is produced when the plot leads the characters into amusing situations, ridiculous complications, and a happy ending.

Question 20

Satire

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Fable

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Parable

Answer 22

The parable teaches a lesson by using very tightly structured allegory.

Question 23

Sprung rhythm

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

English sonnets

Answer 24

abab cdcd efef gg rhyme scheme. cdcd -> progression of ideas, gg -> summary or reversal

Question 25

Italian sonnet

Answer 25

abbaabba cdecde. abbaabba -> makes a statement or asks a question, cdecde -> explores concept or answers question

Question 26

Stanza

Answer 26

a stanza consists of lines that are grouped together in a poem because of the rhythm, rhyme scheme, and/or meaning.

Question 27

Elegy

Answer 27

an elegy is a lament over the death of someone or the loss of something.

Question 28

Ode

Answer 28

a complex, serious, long lyric poem. The purpose of many odes it to eulogize someone or something.

Question 29

Ballad

Answer 29

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)

Question 30

Concrete poetry

Answer 30

highly graphic, modern poems that are also graphic art.

Question 31

Exposition/introduction

Answer 31

setting is established and the audience meets the main characters

Question 32

Conflict/exciting force

Answer 32

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.

Question 33

Rising action/complication

Answer 33

a series of emotional highs and lows, with each high gaining intensity.

Question 34

Climax/crisis/turning point

Answer 34

the point at which there is a reversal from rising action to falling action

Question 35

Falling Action

Answer 35

Briefer than rising action. Gives the reader or audience a sense of completion.

Question 36

Resolution/denouement/conclusion

Answer 36

The hero has won or lost; issues are resolved; order is restored.

Question 37

Theater of the Absurd and surrealism

Answer 37

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)

Question 38

Monologue

Answer 38

When an actor delivers a speech in the presence of other characters who listen, but do not speak.

Question 39

The aside

Answer 39

when an actor speaks directly to the audience; however, the rest of the actors on stage supposedly cannot hear him or her.

Question 40

Soliloquy

Answer 40

When an actor delivers a speech when he or she is alone, expressing thoughts.

Question 41

Parody

Answer 41

a comic or satiric imitation of a more serious work. It generally ridicules a work, an author, or a style.

Question 42

Romance

Answer 42

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.

Question 43

Realism

Answer 43

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.

Question 44

Dramatic monologue

Answer 44

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).

Question 45

Epigram

Answer 45

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.”