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Literary Terms Flashcards

0
Q

Alliteration

A

Repetition if the initial constant sound

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1
Q

Allegory

A

A form of extended metaphor in which objects, persons, and actions in a narrative are equated with meaning tht lies outside the narrative itself

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2
Q

Allusion

A

A figure if speech that makes reference to a historical or literary figure, event, or object

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3
Q

Antagonist

A

The character directly opposed to the protagonist (rival of protagonist)

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4
Q

Archetype

A

In literature, characters, images, and themes that symbolically embody universal meaning and basic human experience, regardless of when or where they live

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5
Q

Assonance

A

Repetition or pattern of vowel sounds with regard to consonants

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6
Q

Atmosphere

A

The prevailing tone or mood of a literary work

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7
Q

Catharsis

A

Emotional purge

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8
Q

Characterization

A

The creation of imaginary persons so that they seem lifelike

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9
Q

Chorus in Ancient Greece, the group of dancers and singers who participate in religious festivals an dramatic performances through song

A

Climax

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10
Q

Climax

A

The point in the plot that created the greatest intensity, suspense, or interest. A turning point in the story; after this point, nothing can remain the same

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11
Q

Conflict

A

The struggle that grows out of the interplay of two opposing forces. This provides interest tension and suspense. It can either be external (against nature another person or society) or internal (struggle for mastery by two elements within the person)

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12
Q

Consonance

A

Repetition of a constant sound

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13
Q

Denouement

A

Literally unknotting. The final unraveling of a plot the solution if a mystery an explanation or outcome

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14
Q

Diction

A

Word choice, involving vocabulary and syntax

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15
Q

Dramatic Irony

A

The words or acts of a character may carry a meaning unperceived by the character by understood by the audience

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16
Q

Fable

A

A brief tale told to point a moral. The characters are frequently animals.

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17
Q

Falling Action

A

A second half or resolution of a dramatic plot, following the climax

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18
Q

Fantasy

A

Designates a conscious breaking free from reality, applied to a work that takes place in a nonexistent and unreal world

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19
Q

Fiction

A

Narrative writing drawn from the imagination rather than from history or fact

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20
Q

Figurative Lang.

A

Intentional departure from the normal order, construction, or meaning of words, embodying one of more figures of speech

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21
Q

Flashback

A

A device by which a work presents material that occurred prior to the opening scene if the work

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22
Q

Flat Chara.

A

A character constructed around a single idea or quality

23
Q

Foreshadowing

A

Presentation of material in a work in such a way that later events are prepared for

24
Genre
Used to designate the type or categories into which literary works are grouped according to form, technique, or subject matter
25
Gothic
A story in which magic mystery and chivalry are the chief characteristics. Horror abounds
26
Hubris
Excessive pride that results in misfortune of the protagonist of a tragedy
27
Hyperbole
Excessive exaggeration
28
Imagery
A collective set or series of words that refer to any sensory experience
29
Indirect characterization
When the reader learns about the character through its actions and dialogue, or the actions and dialogue or other characters as opposed to the writer directly telling the reader the character's qualities and traits.
30
Memoir
A form of autobiographical writing dealing usually with the recollection of one who has been a part of or had witnessed a significant event
31
Metaphor
The direct comparison between two things essentially unlike
32
Myth
A anonymous story that presents supernatural episodes as a mean of interpreting natural events.
33
Nonfiction
A historical event that's described in a way that exploits some of the devices of fiction
34
Onomatopoeia
The use if words that imitate sounds
35
Oxymoron
A self contradicting combination of words
36
Paradox
A statement that although seemingly contradictory or absurd may actually be well founded or true
37
Parody
A composition imitating another, usually serious, piece. It's designed to ridicule a work or it's style or author
38
Personification
A literary device in which human characteristics are given to nonhuman subjects such as animal objects or concepts
39
Point of view
The vantage point from which the author presents a story
40
Prose
All forms of written or spoken expression not having a regular rhythmic pattern
41
Protagonist
The chief character in a work
42
Pun
A play on words based on the similarity of sound between two words with different meaning
43
Resolution
The events following the climax (falling action)
44
Rising Action
That part of the dramatic plot that has to do with the complication of the action. It begins with the exciting force and proceeds to the climax
45
Round Character
A sufficiently complex character able to surprise the reader without loosing credibility
46
Satire
A work that blends a censorious attitude with humor and wit for improving human institution or humanity
47
Setting
The background against which the action takes place
48
Simile
The direct comparison between things essentially unlike using like or as
49
Soliloquy
A speech delivered while the speaker is alone, calculate to inform the audience of what's passing the characters mind
50
Symbol
Something that's itself and also stands for something else
51
Theme
A central idea. The abstract concept that's made concrete through representation in person, action, and image
52
Tone
The attitude towards a subject conveyed in a literary work
53
Tragedy
Recounts a causally related series if events in the life of a person if significance, culmination in an unhappy catastrophe, the whole treated with dignity and seriousness
54
Tragic Flaw
A flaw in a tragic hero that causes his or her downfall

English 2 (4 decks)

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