Literary Terms A-F

Question 0

Alliteration

Answer 0

Repetition of sounds especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring

Ex: Sam Suck Sweet Soda

Question 1

Allegory

Answer 1

Device of using characters or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning

Question 2

Allusion

Answer 2

an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference such as event, book, myth, place or work of art

Question 3

Antecedent

Answer 3

A substantive word, phrase, or clause whose denotation is referred to by a pronoun (as john in “Mary saw John and called to him”); broadly : a word or phrase replaced by a substitute. John was replaced by him.

Short and interesting story or an amusing event often proposed to supporter demonstrate some point and make readers and listeners laugh. Can include an extensive range of tales and stories. In fact, it is short description or an account of any event that makes the readers laugh or brood over the topic presented for the purpose

Question 4

Ambiguity

Answer 4

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word phrase, sentence, or passage

Question 5

Analogy

Answer 5

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them

Comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quiet different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar. Metaphors and similes are tools used either a simile or a metaphor.

Question 6

Aphorism

Answer 6

a terse statement that expresses a general truth or moral principle

“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

Question 7

Apostrophe

Answer 7

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love

Question 8

Atmosphere

Answer 8

The emotional feelings inspired by a work.

Question 9

Clause

Answer 9

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb

Question 10

Colloquial

Answer 10

Use of slang or informalities in speech or writing

Question 11

Conceit

Answer 11

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects

Question 12

Connotation

Answer 12

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied suggested meaning

Question 13

Detonation

Answer 13

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color

Question 14

Diction

Answer 14

Referring to style, diction refers to writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness

Question 15

Didactic

Answer 15

From the Greek literally meaning ‘teaching’

Question 16

Euphemism

Answer 16

From the Greek for ‘good speech’ a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant word or concept

Question 17

Extended Metaphor

Answer 17

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work

Question 18

Figurative language

Answer 18

Writing or speech that isn’t intended to carry literary meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid

Question 19

Figure of speech

Answer 19

A device used to produce figurative language

Question 20

Asyndeton

Answer 20

Is derived from a Greek work asyndeton which means unconnected. It is a stylistic device used to intentionally eliminate conjunctions between the phrases and in the sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. Asyndeton helps in speeding up the rhythm of words.

Ex: “This is the villain among you who deceived you who cheated you, who meant to betray you completely.”

Question 21

Anaphora

Answer 21

Is the opposite of epistrophe and means the repetition of the same phrase or word at the binding of successive sentence such as in this example.
Five years have passed;
Five summers, with the length of
Five long winters! and again I hear these waters

Question 22

Epistrophe

Answer 22

Is derived from a Greek word that means turning upon, which indicates the same word returns at the end of each sentence.
Ex:
Hourly joys be still upon you! Juno. Sings her blessings on you…
Scarcity and want shall shun you
Ceres’ blessing so is on you.”

Question 23

Antithesis

Answer 23

Antithesis, literal meaning opposite, is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.

Ex: “Setting foot on the moon may be a small step for a man but a giant step for mankind.”

Question 24

Ethos

Answer 24

The term has its roots in Aristotle’s “ingredients of persuasion” or “appeals”. He divides means of persuasion into three distinct categories: ethos, pathos and logos. He says in his treatise “On Rhetoric”:

Question 25

Antithesis

Answer 25

Literal meaning opposite, is rhetorical device in which two opposites ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect. Emphasizes the idea of contrast by parallel structure of the contrasted phrases or clause, i.e. the structure of phrases and clauses are similar in order to draw the attention of the listeners or readers.