Literary Terms Flashcards
What is the Author’s Purpose?
The Author’s Purpose is the reason for writing
Examples: Persuade Inform Explain Entertain
What are Rhetorical Devices?
Rhetorical Devices are figurative language such as repetition or parallelism to effect an audience
Examples:
Repetition
Parallelism
What are Symbols?
A Symbol is an object, person, or place that stands for something else
Examples:
Heron (Once Upon a Time)
Cross
Flags
What is Theme?
Theme is the underlying message that the author wants the reader to understand
Example:
There’s Always Hope (Once Upon a Time)
Support Each Other (OKB)
What is Inference?
Inference is a prediction for the story ; a logical assumption based on facts.
Example:
I think…will happen.
What is Paralleslism?
Parallelism is the pattern of words or sentence structure
Example:
Let us… Let us… (OKB)
What is Repetition?
Repetition is the repeat of a sound or word for emphasis
Example:
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
What is Text Structure?
Text Structure is the arrangement of the story
Example:
Novel
Poem
Essay
What is a Simile?
A Simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things (Like or As)
Example:
Her blue eyes are LIKE the ocean.
What is Supporting Textual Evidence?
Supporting Textual Evidence is material to prove a claim
Example:
Citations
Paraphrases
Quotes
What is a Metaphor?
A Metaphor is something that compares two things (Is, No Like or As)
Example:
My sister IS the devil.
What is a Claim/Point of View?
The argument made by the writer or speaker ; The writer’s position on an issue.
Examples:
Claim - I believe that all animals should be cared for.
Point of View - I ……. We……… They…….. Ava……….
What is Mood?
A temporary state of mind or feeling
Examples:
Someone being worried about something or someone could have a worrying mood or nervous mood.
What is Foreshadowing?
It is a warning or indication
Examples:
A weapon found early on in the story, might foreshadow to a future crime later on throughout the story.
What is an Extended Metaphor?
A metaphor introduced and then further developed throughout all or part of a literary work; especially a poem
Examples:
(Metaphor) The sea is a playful cat.
(Extended Metaphor) The sea is a playful cat. It licks and paws the beach. On sunny days it lies calmly with its belly to the sun.
What is Pace?
The speed at which the story is told
Examples:
Key Words such as soon, quickly, etc. could make the story’s pace faster.
What is the Author’s Tone?
The words that are added to show point of view, emotion, or attitude
Example:
Calm (quiet, still, peaceful, restful, stillness, peace, soothe, hush, lull, gentle,etc.)
What is Irony : Verbal/Situational?
A difference between the expected and actual outcomes of a situation or action.
Dramatic Irony - the audience knows something, but the characters don’t.
Examples:
Verbal - You tell someone to break a leg but you just mean to do a good job.
Situational - You don’t expect that a fire station burns down.
Romeo and Juliet Unit
What is Figurative Language?
Words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation.
Examples:
Similes
Metaphors
What is Fortune’s Fool?
When a character thinks that they were fooled by fate.
Example:
Romeo calls himself “fortune’s fool” because he feels that fortune has played a cruel trick on him.
What is a Tragic Hero?
A character who is neither completely good or completely bad, but also a member of royalty. ; a main character experiences a devastating end, normally death.
Example:
Romeo is a tragic hero because he does many good things, but many bad things, as well.
What is Foil?
A character that has traits that are opposite of another character - being melancholy to the other’s happiness ; a character whose personalities are opposite.
What is a Pun?
A form of word play that exploits multiple meanings of a term, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect.
