Literary Techniques Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

Epiphany

A

a moment of profound awareness and realization, after which the character who experiences it sees life in a different way

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Metaphor

A

A comparison of two unlike things without using like or as

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Simile

A

A comparison of two unlike things using like/as

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Personification

A

a simile or metaphor that endows something inanimate with human or animal characteristics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Parallelism

A

phrases, clauses, or words of similar constructions placed side by side; also, characters and situations can be parallel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Repetition

A

Reuse of the same word for rhythm or emphasis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Foil

A

a character of the same age and gender as a second character who highlights that person’s qualities by parallels and contrasts. The foil must be of the same age and gender.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Private Symbol

A

an object in the story that represents an intangible idea that depends on the context of the story

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Universal symbol

A

an object in the story that represents an intangible idea generally recognized

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Dramatic irony

A

an ironic effect that occurs when a character is kept ignorant of facts revealed to the audience; thus their actions will have another level of meaning for the audience

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Situational irony

A

An ironic effect that occurs when the outcome of a situation is opposite form the ending the author has been leading toward

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Imagery

A

Concrete details distend to appeal to one or more of the reader’s five senses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Auditory imagery

A

Imagery relating the sense of hearing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Tactile Imagery

A

Imagery relating to the sense of touch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Olfactory imagery

A

Imagery recalling to the sense of smell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Gustatory imagery

A

Imagery relating to the sense of taste

17
Q

Absolute terms

A

A word that indicates a superlative state
Examples; worst, best, all, none, only, always, etc.

18
Q

Hyperbole

A

A deliberate exaggeration used to emphasize a point

19
Q

Juxtaposition

A

A device that places normally un associated words, ideas, or phrases next to each other for a witty or surprising effect

20
Q

Antithesis

A

A parallel opposite

21
Q

Allusion

A

A reference to a person, place, or thing from literature, art, history, religion, or popular culture. The author expects the reader to be familiar with the reference.