Literary Terms A-C Flashcards
Words and phrases used regularly in a language, but are now less common. E.g. “Thou” meaning “you”
Archaic language
Non scientific observations or studies, which do not provide proof but may assist research efforts
Anecdotal evidence
An actors speech, directed to the audience, that is not supposed to be heard by the other actors on stage.
Aside
The act of repeating a vowel sound in a phrase or sentence. E.g. “True, I do like sue” /OO/ sound
Assonance
The main emotional feeling created in a story/poem through dialogue, description and setting.
Atmosphere
Songs, folk music, and folk tales or any song that tells a story
Ballad
Prejudice in favor of or against a thing, person, or group compared with another, usually unfair.
Bias
The subject is doing the action. E.g. “Steve loves Amy”
Active voice
Story, poem or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning - moral or political one.
Allegory
A figure of speech that makes a reference to a place, person, or an event. E.g. “His nose was growing like Pinocchio’s”
Allusion
Comparison between two things, because of their structure used for explanation or clarification
Analogy
An event, conclusion, statement, etc. that is less important, powerful, or striking than expected. E.g. “For god for country for candy”
Anti-climax
The direct opposite of something
Antithesis
Addressing some concept or personification that is not physically present. “Is this dagger which I see before me?”
Apostrophe
Harsh, conflicting mixture of sounds
Cacophony
Drawing/written description that makes some one look funny or foolish (exaggerated)
Caricature
A person who is responsible for the thoughts and actions within a story
Character
Expression that has been overused to the extent that it loses it’s original meaning or newness
Cliche
Use of informal words, phrases or even slang in a piece of writing. “Stuff” “like”
Colloquialism
Idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to it’s literal or primary meaning - think cultural meaning
Connotation
Repetition of final consonant sounds, as in “first and last” “odds and ends” “short and sweet”
Consonance
