Literary Terms Flashcards
Abstract
1.
existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.
“abstract concepts such as love or beauty”
Allegory
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
“Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory of the spiritual journey”
synonyms: parable, analogy, metaphor, symbol, emblem
“Saramago’s latest novel is an allegory of social disintegration”
Alliteration
the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.
“The plowman weary plods his weary way.”
Allusion
an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
“an allusion to Shakespeare”
synonyms: reference to, mention of, suggestion of, hint to, intimation of, comment on, remark on
“the town’s name is an allusion to its founding family”
Ambigious
(of language) open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning.
“the question is rather ambiguous”
unclear or inexact because a choice between alternatives has not been made.
“this whole society is morally ambiguous”
synonyms: equivocal, ambivalent, open to debate/argument, arguable, debatable;
Analogy
A comparison of two objects that are essentially different but have at least one common quality. Analogy is often used to explain an unfamiliar idea or concept in terms of a similar and familiar one.
Analysis
detailed examination of the elements or structure of something, typically as a basis for discussion or interpretation.
“statistical analysis”
synonyms: examination, investigation, inspection, survey, study, scrutiny;
Anecdote
a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.
“told anecdotes about his job”
synonyms: story, tale, narrative, incident; More
an account regarded as unreliable or hearsay.
“his wife’s death has long been the subject of rumor and anecdote”
Antagonist
a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.
“he turned to confront his antagonist”
synonyms: adversary, opponent, enemy, foe, rival, competitor; More
antonyms: ally
Antithesis
a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.
“love is the antithesis of selfishness”
synonyms: (complete) opposite, converse, contrary, reverse, inverse, obverse, other side of the coin; informalflip side
“friends of the actress say she is quite the antithesis of her giddy and frivolous character”
a contrast or opposition between two things.
“the antithesis between occult and rational mentalities”
Apathy
lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
“widespread apathy among students”
synonyms: indifference, lack of interest, lack of enthusiasm, lack of concern, unconcern, disinterestedness, unresponsiveness, impassivity, dispassion, lethargy, languor, ennui;
Archaic
very old or old-fashioned.
obsolete, out of date, old-fashioned, outmoded, behind the times, bygone, anachronistic, antiquated, superannuated, antediluvian
Assonance
Resemblance or similarity in sound between vowels in two or more syllables. Related to rhyme, assonance is only an approximate resemblance of sound, where rhyme is an exact correspondence. Love and dove are perfect rhymes; lake and fate are examples of assonance. The sound similarity occurs within the vowels.
Atmosphere
The mood or feeling evoked by a piece of writing. An intangible, subjective quality that involves the tone of the work, the effect that the writing has on the reader. ex. romantic atmosphere
Autobiography
an account of a person’s life written by that person.
“he gives a vivid description of his childhood in his autobiography”
synonyms: memoirs, life story, personal history
Aside
Comment made by an actor and supposedly not heard by other actors
Ballad
A form of verse, adapted for singing or recitation, which presents a dramatic or exciting episode in simple narrative form. Often with strong rhythm and plain rhyme schemes.
Blank Verse
Poetry written in unrhymed iambic pentameters, ie lines of ten syllables each with even syllables bearing the accents. Used by Shakespeare and Milton extensively.
Caricature
A distorted representation to produce a comic or ridiculous effect.
Chronological
In order of time.
Cliché
An overused expression; one that has become stale through overuse.
Colloquial
Informal, suitable for everyday speech but not for formal writing
Concrete
A concrete thing exists in a solid physical way. It is knowable through senses. Not abstract.
Connotation
Implied or additional meaning that a work imparts. Such meaning is often subjective.
Deduction
A conclusion reached by logic or reasoning, or by examining all the available information.
Denotation
The explicit or direct meaning of a word or expression, aside from the impression it creates. Dictionary meanings, not connotations.
Discrepancy
Distinct difference between two things that should not be different, or that should correspond.
Dissonance
Harsh sound or discordance; in poetry, a harsh jarring combination of sounds.
Epic
A long poem that is often about a heroic character. Often represents religious or cultural ideas.
Epilogue
A final address to the audience, often delivered by a character in a drama.
Fantasy
A literary genre; generally contains events, characters, or settings that would not be possible in real life.
Foreshadowing
A storytelling technique; something early in the story hints at later events.
Free Verse
Is usually written in variable rhythmic cadences; it may be rhymed or unrhymed, but the rhymes are likely to be irregular and may not occur at the end of lines.
Hyperbole
A figure of speech that uses exaggeration for effect.
Imagery
Language that evokes sensory impressions. Figurative language, conveys word pictures, evokes emotional response; vivid descriptions
`These words are razors to by wounded heart.’
Imitative Harmony (onomatopoeia)
Words which seem to imitate the sounds to which they refer; buzz and whisper
Interior Monologue
Conversation-like thoughts of a character.
Irony
A form of speech in which the actual intent is expressed in words that carry the opposite meaning. The difference between reality and appearance. Used for both serious and humorous effect. Often uses words of blame to imply praise, or praise to imply blame.
Jargon
Special vocabulary of a particular group or activity; sometimes used to refer to confusing or unintelligible language.
Justification
The giving of reasons or support. Giving an argument or reason that show that an action or belief is reasonable or true.
Juxtaposition
The deliberate contrasts of characters, settings or situations for effect. The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
Lyric
A poem that expresses the private emotions or thoughts of a writer; sonnets, odes, and elegies are examples
Metamorphosis
An alteration in appearance or character.a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means.
“his metamorphosis from presidential candidate to talk-show host”
synonyms: transformation, mutation, transmutation, change, alteration, conversion, modification.
Metaphor
Comparison without using the words like or as.
““I had fallen through a trapdoor of depression,”
Mood
The atmosphere in a story. A dominant emotion suggested by the setting, action and characters of a story.
Motif
A recurring theme, situation, incident, idea, image or character type found in literature.
Ode
A poem expressing lofty emotion. Often celebrate an event, or are addressed to nature or to God or some admired person, place or thing.
Onomatopoeia
Words that seem to imitate the sounds to which they refer. Also called imitative harmony.
Oxymoron
A combination of two usually contradictory terms in a compressed paradox, “the living dead” or “truthful lies”. Like a metaphor in that it expresses in words some truth that cannot be understood literally.
Parable
A short, often simple story that teaches or explains a lesson, often a moral or religious one. Characters are people, rather than animals in fables. Best known parable are in the New Testament.
Paradox
An apparently self-contradictory or absurd statement that is, in fact, true. a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
“in a paradox, he has discovered that stepping back from his job has increased the rewards he gleans from it”
Parenthetical
A word, phrase or passage(sometimes within parentheses) that explains or modifies a thought.
Prologue
An introduction to a play.
Pun
A humorous expression that depends on a double meaning of words.
Rhetoric
The art of writing or speaking.
Rhetorical question
A question for which a reply is not required or even wanted; the question is asked for effect. “Is there anyone who does not believe in freedom?”
Ridicule
Contemptuous laughter or derision (contempt and mockery); ridicule may be an element of satire.
Satire
A form of writing that exposes the failings of individuals, institutions, or societies to ridicule or scorn in order to correct or expose some evil or wrongdoing.
Simile
Comparison using the words like or as.
“He was as big as a house”
Soliloquy
A speech by a character who is alone on stage. The purpose is to make the audience aware of the character’s thoughts or give needed information.
Sonnet
A lyric poem fourteen lines long and usually written in iambic pentameter. The rhyme scheme is abab cdcd efef gg. Used by Shakespeare among others.
Symbol
Anything that stands for or represents something other than itself. For example, a rose is a common symbol of love, flags are symbols of countries. Snow may be used to mean goodness because of its cleanness, or cruelty because of its coldness, and the meaning would be defined by the story.
Thesis
A statement that is made as the first step in an argument or a demonstration.
Tone
A particular way of speaking or writing. Tone may also describe the general feeling of a piece of work. May be thoughtful, chatty, formal, tragic, silly. Different tones cause readers to experience different emotions.
Exposition
Writing used to explain the nature of an object, an idea, and to make clear to the reader the subject under discussion. Techniques for achieving clarity include examples, illustrations, contrasts, comparisons, definitions, classifications and analysis.
Symbolism
The use of objects or actions to suggest ideas or emotions. ex. Lady Macbeth’s attempts to wash her hands symbolize her desire to cleanse herself of guilt.
Syntax
Sentence construction. In grammar, the function of a word, phrase or clause within a sentence.
Melodrama
A play developed on a romantic plot and developed sensationally, with little regard for convincing motivation and with a constant appeal to the emotions of the audience.
Caricature
a picture, description, or imitation of a person or thing in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect.
“a caricature of Jimmy Durante”
synonyms: cartoon, parody, satire, lampoon, burlesque
Didactic
intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.
“a didactic novel that set out to expose social injustice”
synonyms: instructive, instructional, educational, educative, informative, informational, edifying, improving, preceptive, pedagogic, moralistic
“the reforming, didactic function of art”
Euphemism
a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
““downsizing” as a euphemism for cuts”
synonyms: polite term, indirect term, circumlocution, substitute, alternative, understatement, genteelism
Figurative
departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical.
“gold, in the figurative language of the people, was “the tears wept by the sun.””
synonyms: metaphorical, nonliteral, symbolic, allegorical, representative, emblematic
“the example given was meant to be figurative”
antonyms: literal
Foil
prevent (something considered wrong or undesirable) from succeeding.
“a brave policewoman foiled the armed robbery”
synonyms: thwart, frustrate, counter, balk, impede, obstruct, hamper
Inference
a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.
synonyms: deduction, conclusion, reasoning, conjecture, speculation, guess, presumption, assumption, supposition, reckoning, extrapolation
“there should be no inference drawn from the fact that he chooses not to be a witness”
metonymy
the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant, for example suit for business executive, or the track for horse racing.
personification
Personification is a form of figurative language in which something that is not human is given human characteristics. “the ocean heaved a sigh” or “the Sun smiled at us”.
pun
a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings.
“the pigs were a squeal (if you’ll forgive the pun)”
synonyms: play on words, wordplay, double entendre, innuendo, witticism
realism
the attitude or practice of accepting a situation as it is and being prepared to deal with it accordingly.
“the summit was marked by a new mood of realism”
synonyms: pragmatism, practicality, common sense, levelheadedness
“optimism tinged with realism”
redundant
not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous.
“this redundant brewery has been converted into a library”
synonyms: unnecessary, not required, inessential, unessential, needless, unneeded, uncalled for;
Theme
the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person’s thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic.
“the theme of the sermon was reverence”
synonyms: subject, topic, subject matter, matter, thesis, argument, text, burden, concern, thrust, message;
