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English 10 Honors > Literary Terms > Flashcards

Literary Terms Flashcards

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Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

a major unit of action in a drama or play. Each act can be further divided into smaller sections called scenes.

A

act

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2
Q

a story in which people, things and actions represent an idea about life; they often have a strong moral or lesson.

Example: The Tortoise and the Hare from Aesop’s Fables: From this story, we learn that the strong and steady win the race.

A

allegory

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3
Q

the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words (tongue twisters).

A

alliteration

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4
Q

a reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature. Allusions are often indirect or brief references to well-known characters or events.

Example: She fell for him, knowing well that he was nothing less than a “casanova”.

A

allusion

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5
Q

a comparison of two or more like objects that suggests if they are alike in certain respects, they will probably be alike in other ways as well.

A

analogy

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6
Q

opposite of

A

antithesis

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7
Q

addressing something/someone that is unable to answer

A

apostrophe

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8
Q

an actor’s speech, directed to the audience, that is not supposed to be heard by other actors on stage. It is used to let the audience know what a character is about to do or what he or she is thinking.

A

aside

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9
Q

emotional tone pervading the work

A

atmosphere

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10
Q

unrhymed iambic pentameter

A

blank verse

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11
Q

a character in a story or poem who deceives, frustrates, or works against the main character, or protagonist, in some way. The antagonist doesn’t necessarily have to be a person. It could be death, the devil, an illness, or any challenge that prevents the main character from living “happily ever after.”

A

antagonist

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12
Q

a picture or imitation of a person’s habits, physical appearance or mannerisms exaggerated in a comic or absurd way.

A

caricature

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13
Q

a character who serves as a contrast or a conflict to another character

Example: Mercutio to Romeo

A

foil

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14
Q

a character whose actions are inspiring or noble; often the main character in a story

A

hero/heroine

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15
Q

all of the techniques that writers use to create characters.

A

characterization

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16
Q

a rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form; e.g. “Poetry is the record of the best and happiest moments of the happiest and best minds.”

A

chiasmus

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17
Q

a type of figurative language containing an overused expression or a saying that is no longer considered original.

A

cliché

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18
Q

the tension or problem in the story; a struggle between opposing forces.

A

conflict

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19
Q

the idea and feeling associated with a word as opposed to its dictionary definition or denotation.

A

connotation

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20
Q

a rhymed pair of lines in a poem

Example: Once I dive into these pages
I may not come out for ages

A

couplet

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21
Q

a form of language that is spoken in a particular place or by a particular group of people.

A

dialect

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22
Q

choice and use of words and phrases in writing

A

diction

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23
Q

instructional tone

A

didactic

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24
Q

a type of literature defined as a song or poem that expresses sorrow or lamentation, usually for one who has died

A

elegy

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25
Q

causing a pause at the end of a line of verse

Example:
“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying”

A

end-stopped

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26
Q

in poetry, the running over of a line or thought into the next of verse

Example: “And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night”

A

enjambment

27
Q

a long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero whose actions reflect the ideals and values of a nation or group.

A

epic

28
Q

a sudden moment of understanding that causes a character to change or to act in a certain way

A

epiphany

29
Q

a short work of nonfiction that deals with a single subject

A

essay

30
Q

a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

Example: “passed away” instead of “died”

A

euphemism

31
Q

expressions that are not literally true. see simile, metaphor, hyperbole, understatement, irony, oxymoron, cliché, metonymy

A

figurative language or figure of speech

32
Q

an interruption of the chronological sequence (as in a film or literary work) of an event of earlier occurrence. A flashback is a narrative technique that allows a writer to present past events during current events, in order to provide background for the current narration.

A

flashback

33
Q

a figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect.

A

hyperbole

34
Q

the use of words and phrases that appeal to the five senses. Writers use sensory details to help readers imagine how things look, feel, smell, sound, and taste.

Ex. “She looks as though she could be on the cover of Vogue, with her soft features and striking beauty.”

A

imagery

35
Q

a contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens. Irony spices up a literary work by adding unexpected twists and allowing the reader to become a more involved with the characters and plot. There are many types of it.

Ex. “Missippi’s literary program shows improvement.”

A

irony

36
Q

the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-surrounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect; for example, “dance a flamingo” (instead of flamenco).

A

malapropism

37
Q

a type of figurative language in which a comparison is made between two things that are essentially unalike but may have one quality in common. Unlike a simile, this does not contain an explicit word of comparison, such as “like” or “as”.

Ex. “Life is one long roller coaster.”

A

metephor

38
Q

a recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature. It may also be two contrasting elements in a work, such as good and evil. It is important because it allows one to see main points and themes that the author is trying to express, in order that one night be able to interpret the work more accurately.

Ex. Magic in Harry Potter

A

motif

39
Q

a form of figurative language combining contradictory words or ideas (ex. jumbo shrimp, bittersweet)

A

oxymoron

40
Q

a statement that seems to contradict itself but is, nevertheless, true.

Ex. The child is father of the man.

A

paradox

41
Q

a work of literature portraying an idealized version of country life; focus on nature

Ex. “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats

A

pastoral

42
Q

a figure of speech where animals, ideas or inanimate objects are given human characteristics

Ex. “The wind whistled throughout the day.”

A

personification

43
Q

the sequence of related events that make up a story.

A

plot

44
Q

the turning point, point of maximum interest, and highest tension in the plot of a story, play, or film. This usually occurs towards the end of story after the reader has understood the conflict and become emotionally involved with the characters. At this point, the conflict is resolved, and the outcome of the plot becomes clear.

A

climax

45
Q

perspective from which a story is told. Understanding how it is used in a work is critical to understanding literature; it serves as the instrument to relay the events of a story, and in some instances the feelings and motives of the character(s).

A

point of view

46
Q

play on words

A

pun

47
Q

the ordinary form of spoken and written language; that is, language that lacks the special features of poetry. Examples of it include: essays, stories, articles, speeches, etc.

A

prose

48
Q

asked in order to produce an effect or to make a statement rather that to elicit information.

A

rhetorical question

49
Q

writing depicting heroic or marvelous deeds, pageantry, romantic exploits, etc., usually in a historical or imaginary setting; idealized situation

A

romance

50
Q

a literary technique in which ideas or customs are ridiculed for the purpose of improving society.

A

satire

51
Q

a type of figurative language that makes a comparison between two otherwise unlike objects or ideas by connecting them with the words “like” or “as.”

A

simile

52
Q

a speech delivered by a character who is alone on the stage.

A

soliloquy

53
Q

a distinctive poetic style that uses a system or pattern of metrical structure and verse composition usually consisting of fourteen lines, arranged in a set rhyme scheme or pattern. There are two main style, the Italian form and the English form.

A

sonnet

54
Q

a grouping of two or more lines within a poem. It is compatible to a paragraph in prose.

A

stanza

55
Q

a feeling of growing tension and excitement. Writers create it by raising questions in readers’ minds about what might happen.

A

suspense

56
Q

using something specific to stand for something else, especially an idea. It is a person, place, object or action that for something beyond itself. For example, a dove may represent peace, the dove can be seen and peace cannot.

A

symbolism

57
Q

a literary technique in which the whole is represented by naming one of its parts (genus named for species), or vice versa (species named for genus). Example: “You’ve got to come take a look at my new set of wheels.” The vehicle here is represented by its parts, or wheels.

A

synecdoche

58
Q

arrangement of words and phrases

A

syntax

59
Q

the writer’s attitude or feeling about his or her subject

A

tone

60
Q

a dramatic work that presents the downfall of a dignified character or characters who are involved in historically or socially significant events. The events in one are set in motion by a decision that is often an error in judgement. Succeeding events inevitably lead to a disastrous conclusion, usually death.

A

tragedy

61
Q

a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said; the opposite of hyperbole. It is usually used for a humorous effect.

A

understatement

62
Q

an author or narrator’s distinctive style or manner of expression. It can reveal much about the author or narrator’s personality.

A

voice

63
Q

main character in any story

A

protagonist

64
Q

final part of a story in which matters are explained or resolved

A

denouement

English 10 Honors (11 decks)

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