Literary terms A-F Flashcards
Alliteration
The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words
Allegory
device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstract in addition to the literal meaning
Allusion
A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art
ambiguity
The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage
Analogy
A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them
Antecedent
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
Aphorism
A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principle
Apostrophe
A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love
Clause
A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb
Colloquial
The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing
Conceit
A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or a surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects
Connotation
The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning
Denotation
The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color
Diction
Referring to style, diction refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, cleanness, or effectiveness
Didact
From the Greek, literally meaning “teaching”
Euphemism
From the Greek for “good speech”, a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept
Extended metaphor
A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work
Figurative languauge
Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literary meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid
Figure of speech
A device used to produce figurative language
Asyndeton
is derived from a Greek word asyndeton which means unconnected. It is a stylistic device used to intentionally eliminate conjunction between the phrases and in the sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. Asyndeton helps in speeding up the rhythm of words.
Anaphora
in the apposite of epistrophe and means the repetition of the same phrase or word at the beginning of successive sentences.
Epistrophe
is derived from a Greek word that means turning upon, which indicates the same word returns at the end of each sentence
Anecdote
is a short and interesting story or an amusing event often proposed to support or demonstrate some point and make readers and listeners laugh. Anecdotes can include an extensive range of tales and stories. In fact, it is a short description or an account of any event that makes readers laugh or brood over the topic presented for the purpose.
Analogy
An analogy is a comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite 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 to draw an analogy. Therefore, analogy is more extensive and elaborate than either a simile or a metaphor.
Antithesis
literal meaning opposite, it is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect. antithesis emphasizes the idea of contrast by parallel structures of the contrasted phrases or clauses, i.e the structures of phrases and clauses are similar in order to draw the attention of the listeners or readers.
