Literary Terms Flashcards
accent
in poetry, refers to the stressed portion of a word
aesthetic
appeals to the senses
allegory
a literary work in which the characters represent abstract ideas; a symbolic representation
alliteration
repetition of constant sounds at the beginning of words
allusion
a reference to another work of literature, person, or event
anachronism
something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred
analogy
a comparison of two different things that are similar in some way
anecdote
a short narrative or story about a real incident or person
anthropomorphism
the attribution of human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects
anticlimax
a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events
antihero
a protagonist who lacks the characteristics that would make him a hero
antithesis
the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, often in parallel structure
aphorism
a brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life
archetypes
a recurring plot pattern, image, detail, or character
anaphora
type of refrain where first word for phrase is repeated in a series of lines
