LITERARY TERMS-DEFINITIONS Flashcards
The repetition of sounds, most often consonant sounds, at the beginnings of words, gives emphasis to words
Alliteration
A reference in a work of literature to characters, place, or situation from history or from another work of literature, music, or art
Allusion
Comparison is based on a similarity between things that are otherwise dissimilar. A writer may use an analogy to explain something abstract or unfamiliar.
Analogy
The person in conflict with the main character
Antagonist(s)
The emotional high point of the story
Climax
A struggle between opposing forces in a story or play
Conflict
The suggested or implied meanings associated with a word beyond its dictionary definition
Connotation
the literal or dictionary meaning of a word
Denotation
Written conversation between characters in a literary work
Dialogue
Introduces the story’s characters, setting, and conflict
Exposition
The action that follows the climax in a story plot
Falling action
Language or expressions that are not literally true but express some truth beyond the literal level. Types of figurative language called figures of speech include hyperbole, metaphor, personification, simile, and
understatement
Figurative language
An account of an event that happened before a story began. A flashback interrupts the chronological sequence of a story events, but gives readers information that may help explain the main events of the
story.
Flashback
A character whose traits contrast with those of another character.
A writer calls attention to the strengths or weaknesses of the main character.
FOIL
Author’s use of clues that hint at events that will occur later in the plot
Foreshadowing
A figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor.
Hyperbole
The “word pictures” the writers create to help evoke an emotional response. To create effective images, writers use sensory details, or descriptions that appeal to one or
more of the five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.
IMAGERY
a contrast or discrepancy between appearance and reality, or between what is expected and what actually happens.
the audience has important information that characters in a literary work do
not have.
Irony-dramatic
a contrast or discrepancy between appearance and reality, or between what is expected and what actually happens.
the actual outcome of a situation is the opposite of someone’s expectations
irony-situational
a contrast or discrepancy between appearance and reality, or between what is expected and what actually happens.
a person says one thing and means another
irony-verbal
the placing of elements side by side or close together, especially for contrast or comparison. It serves to emphasize the elements.
Juxtaposition (juxtapose)
a figure of speech that directly compares two or more things that have something in common; there is no use of connectives such as “like” or “as.”
Metaphor
The feeling or atmosphere in a literary work.
Can suggest a specific emotion like “excitement” or “fear.”
Can suggest the quality of a setting such as “calm” or “somber.” In poems, word choice (diction), line length, and rhythm contribute to this.
Descriptive language and figures of speech help establish this
MOOD
The use of a word or phrase that imitates or suggests the sound of what it describes, such as buzz, murmur, swish.
ONOmatopoeia
A figure of speech consisting of two seemingly
contradictory terms.
OXYmoron
A humorous imitation of another, usually serious work.
Behavior, customs, literature, or music can all be ______ .
PARODY
A figure of speech in which an animal, object, force of nature, or idea is given human qualities or characteristics
Personification
The sequence of events in a narrative work
The PLOT
The relationship of the narrator to the story. First-person-
The story is told by one of the characters, referred to as “I.”
The reader generally sees everything though that character’s eyes.
point of view-
1st person point of view
The narrator is OUTSIDE the story and
REVEALS the thoughts of only one character, but refers to that character as “he” or “she.”
Point of view-
3rd person limited point of view
The narrator is OUTSIDE the story
and KNOWS everything about the characters and events
point of view-
3rd person omniscient point of view
The CENTRAL CHARACTER in a story
Protagonist(s)
Shows how the conflict is resolved or how the problem is solved
RESOLUTION
The part of a plot where complications to the conflict develop and INCREASE reader interest
RISING action
a cutting GIBE or REBUKE often delivered in a tone of contempt or disgust
SARCASM
writing that EXPOSES and RIDICULES the vices or follies of people or societies
SATIRE
TIME and PLACE in which a story happens
SETTING
comparison using “LIKE” or “AS.”
SIMILE
a form of reasoning having two statements or PREMISES and a CONCLUSION that is logically DRAWN from them.
If the premises are accepted as true, it must follow that the conclusion is true; based on DEDUCTIVE REASONING.
Syllogism
Any object, person, place or experience that means more than what it is.
Use of images to represent internal/abstract realities or qualities
SYMBOLSIM
the CENTRAL MESSAGE of a story that readers can apply to life
THEME
a REFLECTION of a writer’s or speaker’s ATTITUDE toward the subject such as sympathy, bitterness, or humor
TONE
