LITERARY TERMS PT.1 Flashcards
Ad hominem
An argument attacking an individuals character rather than his/her position on an issuer
Allegory
A figure of speech in which abstract ideas and principles are described in terms of characters, figures and events
Alliteration
A number of words with the same first consonant sound
Allusion
A reference to something literary, mythological, or historical
Analogy
A comparison between two different things which are similar in some way
Anaphora
Repetition of the first part of the sentence for emphasis and artistic effects
Anecdote
A short or interesting story to demonstrate or support the story
Antithesis
Two opposite ideas are out together
Aphorism
A statement expressed in a concise and witty manner
Apostrophe
A writer or a speaker detaches himself from the reality and addresses an imaginary character
Chiasmus
A statement consisting of two parts in which the second part is structurally reversed
Colloquialism
The use of informal words
Conceit
Unlikely comparison
Connotation
Emotional meaning of the word
Denotation
The literal meaning of a word without emotional baggage
DICTION
word choice
Didactic
Literary texts that are loaded with information or realistic matter
Ellipsis
A literary device that is used to omit parts of a sentence or event to allow the reader to fill in the gaps
Epiphany
Moment where a character achieves realization
Euphemism
A polite way of saying something; more indirect
Genre
The major types of literature characterized by a specific form, content, and style
Hyperbole
Exaggeration for effect
Imagery
Using figurative language to represent objects to appear to our senses
Invective
Speech or writing that attacks, insults, or points out the negative
