literary terms Flashcards
90+
alliteration
repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of 2 or more neighboring words
allusion
a passing reference, without explicit identification, to a literary or historical person/place/event, or literary work
anachronism
a thing belonging to a different time period (esp. something that is conspicuously old fashioned)
analogy
comparing similarities
metaphor
a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable
simile
a metaphor/analogy that uses like/as
anecdote
Offering a brief narrative episode
aphorism
a concise observation and pointed statement that contains a general truth
cliché
a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought; overly familiar
connotation
an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning
denotation
dictionary definition; objective meaning; literal meaning taken at surface value
diction
refers to the author’s word choice
ellipsis
when one or more words are omitted from a sentence
hyperbole
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally
imagery
visually descriptive or figurative language
ironic satire
the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite of what the writer intends to achieve a humorous effect or to add emphasis
shift
a sudden change—a contrast—in mood, tone, point of view, diction, or theme
parallel structure
the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence
syllogism
a form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion
enthymemes
when a premise in a syllogism is missing, the syllogism becomes an enthymeme
syntax
the way sentences are grammatically constructed
verisimilitude
the appearance of being true or real
