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 abstraction 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. 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. Consider the following: “Structure of an atom is like a solar system. Nucleus is the sun and electrons are the planets revolving around their sun.”
Antecedent
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
Aphorism
A tense statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral purpose
Apostrophe
A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love
Atmosphere
The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting
Clause
A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb
Colloquial
The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing
Conceit
Fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or 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 writers’ word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.
Didatic
From the Greek, literally means “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 Language
Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literacy meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.
Figure of Speech
A device used to produce figurative language.
Asyndeton
Derived from a Greek word “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.”
Anaphora
The opposite of epistrophe and means the repetition of the same phrase or word at the beginning of successive sentences such as in this example.
Five years have passed;
Five summers, with the length of
Five long winters and again I hear these waters.
Epistrophe
Derived from a Greek word that means turning upon, which indicates
Anecdote
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 any event that makes the readers laugh or brood over the topic presented for the purpose.
