Literary Terms

Question 1

Alliteration

Answer 1

Repetition of a consonant at the beginning of each word

Question 2

Allusion

Answer 2

Reference to a well known person, place, or event.

Question 3

Crisis

Answer 3

The turning point in the action.

Question 4

Onomatopoeia

Answer 4

Sound of a word suggesting it’s meaning.

Question 5

Hyperbole

Answer 5

A serious, deliberate exaggeration

Question 6

Pun

Answer 6

Play on words that sound the same but have different meanings.

Question 7

Theme

Answer 7

Lesson or morale of the story that the author is trying to convey.

Question 8

Symbol

Answer 8

Representation of something abstract with imagery.

Question 9

Oxymoron

Answer 9

Contradictory terms

Question 10

Paradox

Answer 10

Statement that does not make sense at first as it is contradictory

Question 11

Foreshadowing

Answer 11

A hint towards a later part of the story

Question 12

Imagery

Answer 12

A mental picture created by words (can be all senses)

Question 13

Suspense

Answer 13

Mental uncertainty about the outcome of events

Question 14

Pathos

Answer 14

Sympathy for the character

Question 15

Figurative language + 3 types

Answer 15

Saying something when you really mean something else.

1. Simile, like or as comparison
2. Metaphor, direct comparative
3. Personification, human qualities to an inanimate object

Question 16

Denotation

Answer 16

The literal meaning of a word

Question 17

Connotation

Answer 17

Meaning of a word that has developed over time.

Question 18

Irony

Answer 18

An outcome that is the opposite of what one would expect

Question 19

Sarcasm

Answer 19

Verbal irony

Question 20

Satire

Answer 20

Sarcasm with the intent to instruct

Question 21

Dramatic Irony

Answer 21

The reader is aware of a double meaning that the characters are not

Question 22

Setting

Answer 22

Time, place, circumstance of a story

Question 23

Mood

Answer 23

The feeling that is conveyed to the reader as they read

Question 24

Tone

Answer 24

The attitude of the author towards the subject

Question 25

Anachronism

Answer 25

An item which is not in its correct historical context

Question 26

Pathetic fallacy

Answer 26

The weather mirrors the emotions of characters

Question 27

Nemesis

Answer 27

Retributive justice

Question 28

Narrative point of view

Answer 28

The technique that the author uses to tell the story

Question 29

Diction

Answer 29

The vocabulary or words that the author chooses

Question 30

Soliloquy

Answer 30

A character alone in a scene voices their feelings or thoughts

Question 31

Comic relief

Answer 31

Jokes or characters introduced into the story to relieve tension

Question 32

Character foil

Answer 32

A person who enhances the characteristics of another by contrasting them

Question 33

Hamartia

Answer 33

A tragic flaw

Question 34

Hubris

Answer 34

Excessive pride

Question 35

Conflict

Answer 35

The struggle between two forces

Question 36

Climax

Answer 36

The emotional high point of a story

Question 37

Protagonist

Answer 37

Main character of the story

Question 38

Antagonist

Answer 38

Character who opposes the main character

Question 39

Euphemism

Answer 39

Indirect word to soften the blow of a harsher one

Question 40

Cacophony

Answer 40

A series of harsh sounds used to create an unsettling effect

Question 41

Euphony

Answer 41

Soft gentle musical words put together for a calming effect

Question 42

Cliche

Answer 42

Old and overused expression that has lost originality

Question 43

Understatement

Answer 43

Downplaying the importance of something to emphasize it

Question 44

Antithesis

Answer 44

The opposite of something else

Question 45

Catharsis

Answer 45

Releasing effect when pent up emotions are let out

Question 46

Motif

Answer 46

Reoccurring image or idea that conveys the theme or story

Question 47

Juxtaposition

Answer 47

The placement of two contrasting situations to shock reader

Question 48

Non-sequitor

Answer 48

A jump from one argument to another with no logical effect