Literary terms #1

Question 1

Analysis

Answer 1

Examination of the elements or structure of something.

Question 2

Explication

Answer 2

The process of analyzing and developing an idea or principle.

Question 3

Inference

Answer 3

A logical guess or conclusion based on observation and evidence.

Question 4

Literary present tense

Answer 4

Use of verbs in the present tense.

Question 5

Paraphrase

Answer 5

express the meaning using different words.

Question 6

Summary

Answer 6

A brief statement or account of the main points of something.

Question 7

Thesis

Answer 7

A statement or theory that is put forward to be maintained or proved.

Question 8

Imagery

Answer 8

Visually descriptive or figurative language.

Question 9

Antecedent action

Answer 9

An event, circumstance, etc, that happens before another.

Question 10

Climax

Answer 10

The most exciting or intense part.

Question 11

Conflict

Answer 11

The disagreement or argument.

Question 12

Denouement

Answer 12

The resolution of an act, or performance.

Question 13

Exposition

Answer 13

A comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory.

Question 14

Falling Action

Answer 14

The part of a literary plot that occurs after the climax has been reached and the conflict has been resolved.

Question 15

Flashback

Answer 15

A scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story.

Question 16

Foreshadowing

Answer 16

A warning or indication of (a future event).

Question 17

Frame narrative

Answer 17

A story within a story, within sometimes yet another story.

Question 18

Resolution

Answer 18

Solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.

Question 19

Rising action

Answer 19

The action/events before the climax.

Question 20

Subplot

Answer 20

A secondary plot that occurs along with a main plot.

Question 21

Authorial voice

Answer 21

Authors writing style.

Question 22

Humor

Answer 22

The quality of being amusing or comic.

Question 23

Hyperbole

Answer 23

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Question 24

Irony

Answer 24

Saying one thing in a way it usually means the opposite.

Question 25

Liotes

Answer 25

Ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary

Question 26

Sarcasm

Answer 26

The use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

Question 27

Sentimentalism

Answer 27

The excessive expression of feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia.

Question 28

Understatement

Answer 28

The presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.

Question 29

Wit

Answer 29

Mental sharpness and inventiveness; keen intelligence.

Question 30

Stereotype

Answer 30

Fixed and oversimplified image or an idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Question 31

Synesthesia

Answer 31

When a sense triggers another sense.

Question 32

Synecdoche

Answer 32

A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa.

Question 33

Symbol

Answer 33

A thing that represents or stands for something else.

Question 34

Simile

Answer 34

A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind.

Question 35

Personification

Answer 35

The representation of an abstract quality in human form

Question 36

Metonymy

Answer 36

The substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant.

Question 37

Simple Metaphor

Answer 37

A single link between subject and metaphor.

Question 38

Controlling Metaphor

Answer 38

A metaphor that dominates or controls an entire literary piece.

Question 39

Extended Metaphor

Answer 39

A single metaphor or analogy that is extended to many sentences.

Question 40

Conceit

Answer 40

A fanciful expression in writing or speech.

Question 41

Apostrophe

Answer 41

A punctuation mark (‘) used to indicate either possession or the omission of letters or numbers.

Question 42

Antagonist

Answer 42

A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.

Question 43

Caricature

Answer 43

A picture, description or imitation of a person or thing in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect.

Question 44

Indirect Characterization

Answer 44

The process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the characters speech, action, appearance, etc.

Question 45

Direct Characterization

Answer 45

The process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed by the use of descriptive adjectives, phrases, or epithets.

Question 46

Dynamic/Round Character

Answer 46

A literary or dramatic character who undergoes an important inner change, as a change in personality or attitude.

Question 47

Foil

Answer 47

To prevent the success; frustrate; balk.

Question 48

Motivation

Answer 48

The state or condition of being motivated or having a strong reason to act or accomplish something

Question 49

Narrator/Perona/Speaker

Answer 49

A person who gives an account or tells the story of events, experiences, etc.

Question 50

Protagonist

Answer 50

The leading character, hero or heroine of a drama or other literary work.

Question 51

Static/flat character

Answer 51

A literary or dramatic character who undergoes little or no inner change; does not grow or develop.

Question 52

Stock Character

Answer 52

A character in literature, theatre, or a film of a type quickly recognized and accepted by the reader or viewer and requiring not development by the writer.