Literary Terms Flashcards
learn the lit terms
Repetition
repeating a word or phrase multiple times to add meaning
ex. Tolkein repeating “one ring”
Simile
two common things compared together using the words like or as
ex. As cold as a dog’s nose
Metaphor
two unlike things compared without using like or as
ex. She’s an angel
Verbal irony
when somone says something but acutally means the opposite
ex. saying “great weather we’re having” when it’s raining
Situational irony
when you expect one thing but the opposite happens
ex. A cat chasing a dog
Dramatic irony
when the reader or audience knows something the characters don’t
ex. The protagonist doesn’t know the monster is behind the door but we do
Tone
the way an author presents the story through the use of language
ex. joyful, humorous, sad, threatening, etc.
Mood
the way the reader feels after reading the passage
ex. Creepy, horrific, happy
Symbolism
when an object has a literal meaning and a secondary meaning more than its physical self
ex. Colours represent different feelings/meanings in The Great Gatsby
Foreshadowing
a hint of something to come in a literary work
ex. Jurassic Park beginning- the scene plays out later on
Motif
a recurring element in a story that helps to uncover the theme of the story
ex. Fire in the Hunger Games- Destruction/rebirth
Imagery
language that appeals to the senses
ex. “Glittering white, the blanket of snow covered everything in sight”
Hyperbole
extreme exaggeration to add meaning
ex. She was as tall as a skyscraper
Personification
the giving of human characteristics to animals, objects, etc.
ex. The sun smiled down on them
Suspense
the dramatic tension that builds as the audience awaits an expected event
ex. We know the killer is in the closet, the character doesn’t.
Idiom
a word of phrase that doesn’t literally mean what it says, it has another meaning
ex. reporters wanted to know what the buzz around town was
Onomatopoeia
words used to approximate a sound
ex. the wind whooshed through the trees
Allusion
a reference to another work of literature
ex. I was surprised his nose wasn’t growing like Pinocchio’s
Alliteration
using the same letters or sound to start two or more nearby words in a sentence
ex. While I Nodded, Nearly Napping, suddenly there came a tapping.
Assonance
the repetition of a vowel sound in two or more nearby words in a sentence
ex. Try to light the fire - long “i” sound is repeated
Oxymoron
when two apparently contradictory words appear beside eachother
ex. He came home and his book was found missing
Pun
a play on words that produces a humorous effect by using a word that suggest more than one meaning
ex. I’m reading a book on gravity. It’s impossible to put down.
Gothic
writing that captures the essence of fear and foreboding
ex. Frankenstein is a gothic work because of the gothic details such as bringing a creature made of dead body parts to life
Romantic
taking the side of nature against industry
ex. Frankenstein is a romantic work because the characters prefer nature over technology
Byronic
characteristic of Lord Byron or his poetry; or a man who is alluringly dark, mysterious, and moody.
ex. the Byronic hero in Frankenstein is Victor Frankenstein
Heroic
“a hero is the major character of a narrative that is involved in dangerous situations but shows bravery and courage.”
thanks lourdes!!
