Literary Terms Quiz

Question 1

Diction

Answer 1

The style of speaking and writing as reflected in the choice and use of words; refers to the selection and arrangement of words in statements and to the accuracy, emphasis and diction with which they are spoken and written

Question 2

Mood

Answer 2

refers to a disposition of mind, a feeling or emotional state. Connotative words, sensory images and figurative language contributes to the mood of a selection as do the sound and rhythm of the language.

Question 3

Syntax

Answer 3

the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

Question 4

Tone

Answer 4

An authors attitude or point of view toward his subject and audience

Question 5

Flashback

Answer 5

A narrative technique that moves the story back in time from the current point in the narrative

Question 6

Motif

Answer 6

a unifying element in an artistic work, especially any recurring image symbol, theme, or subject.

Question 7

Symbolism

Answer 7

the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities

Question 8

Theme

Answer 8

the dominating idea in a literary piece of work; the author’s statement of meaning about life or people.

Question 9

Thesis

Answer 9

a position taken and supported by a writer or speaker; e.g. “Air travel is safer than car travel”

Question 10

Consistent

Answer 10

a character is predictable in their actions and behavior. They often have a strong sense of routine and stability.

Question 11

Motivation

Answer 11

that which causes a character to behave a certain way.

Question 12

Plausible

Answer 12

is believable; often the fictional character closely resembles a living person.

Question 13

Dilemma

Answer 13

a choice between two undesirable alternatives

Question 14

Epiphany

Answer 14

An intuitive and sudden insight into the reality and basic meaning of an event; also a literary work that symbolically presents such a moment of perception and revelation

Question 15

Dialogue

Answer 15

conversation; an interchange of ideas to reveal characters and to advance action

Question 16

Antagonist

Answer 16

The force that opposes the main character, an animal, a force or a weakness of the protagonist

Question 17

Archetype

Answer 17

The original models form or pattern from which something develops; a model that has typical qualities: e.g. Superman is an archetypal superhero

Question 18

Direct/Indirect

Question 19

Dynamic

Answer 19

a character in a novel who is fully developed and changes

Question 20

Flat

Answer 20

A character that has only one trait, which is not fully developed, lacks complexity, never surprices the reader and can be referred to as a “type” or “caricature”

Question 21

Memoir

Answer 21

is a nonfiction narrative; a collection of memories that an individual writes about; moments or events, both public or private, that took place in the subject’s life

Question 22

Protagonist

Answer 22

the leading character in a drama, novel or other literary work. Not always the “ hero”.

Question 23

Round

Answer 23

these characters are as complex as real people. Their motivations are complicated and the more important the characters are, the more the reader knows about them. Round characters can be adequately described in a longer composition.

Question 24

Static

Answer 24

a character who does not change or grow during the course of a story; opposite to a dynamic character

Question 25

Stock

Answer 25

familiar character belonging by custom and tradition to certain types of writing-stereotype. The hero and villain of melodrama, the court fool, the braggart soldier, the country bumpkin, the hard-nosed detective, the wicked witch

Question 26

Irony (Dramatic, Situational, Verbal)

Answer 26

Dramatic- when a character in play knows less about his/her situation the than audience does Situational-a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens Verbal- a contrast between what the speaker says and what he or she actually means; eg. In Macbeth Duncan says, "Th astle hath a pleasant seat" yet he doesn't realize he will be murdered there

Question 27

Juxtaposition

Answer 27

to place two things side by side such that the characteristics of each enhances the characteristics of

Question 28

Anecdote

Answer 28

A short, often amusing, narrative

Question 29

Connotation

Answer 29

The suggestions and associations we have surrounded the word with as contrasted with its bare, literal meaning

Question 30

Denotation

Answer 30

the specific, exact and concrete meaning of a word without emotional associations or overtones.

Question 31

Innocent Eye

Answer 31

a narrator that is unreliable. However, this unreliability stems from being innocent or naive of the circumstances due to age or mental disability

Question 32

Mood

Answer 32

refers to a disposition of mind, a feeling or emotional state. Connotative words, sensory images and figurative language contributes to the mood of a selection as do the sound and rhythm of the language.

Question 33

Objective narrator

Answer 33

a voice that tells a story without sharing the thoughts or feelings of the characters

Question 34

Omniscience/Limited

Answer 34

Omniscience- infinite knowledge; complete awareness or understanding Limited-short, small, or restricted by specific rules

Question 35

Parody

Answer 35

Any humorous, satire or burlesque imitation of a person, even or serious work of literature; designed to ridicule in nonsensical fashion or to criticize by clever duplication.

Question 36

Point of View (Participant/Non-Participant)

Answer 36

Participant-the story is told by a character within the story, using "I" or "we" to share their perspective and experiences, directly engaging with the events Non-Participant-a narrative voice that is not a character in the story, but rather an observer who recounts the events from outside the story's action

Question 37

Satire

Answer 37

The indirect ridiculing of folly, stupidity or vice; the use of irony, sarcasm, or ridicule for exposing or denouncing the frailties and faults of mankind for the purpose of improving society ex. Simpsons

Question 38

Stream of Consciousness

Answer 38

A manner q writing in which a characters perceptions and thoughts are presented as occurring in random form.

Question 39

Style

Answer 39

the overall choice of arrangement of sources, words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs in a piece of writing (e.g. satirical style)

Question 40

Tone

Answer 40

an author's attitude or point of view toward his subject and audience

Question 41

Voice

Answer 41

the author's personality expressed through their writing style

Question 42

Reliable Narrator

Answer 42

a story in which the narrator presents a straightforward, credible account of events

Question 43

Conflict

Answer 43

a clash of actions, desires, or wills. A struggle of two opposing forces that is the basis of the plot. The struggles may be INTERNAL (struggling with oneself perhaps in a moral. or psychological capacity) or EXTERNAL (struggles against outside forces: nature,society, technology)

Question 44

Imagery

Answer 44

the figurative language, especially metaphors and similes, used in poetry, plays, and other literary works. A set of mental pictures created through vivid descriptors and figurative language

Question 45

Milieu

Answer 45

Is defined by a persons social setting and surroundings. That person may act differently, depending on their millieu

Question 46

Setting

Answer 46

the time and place in which a story unfolds

Question 47

Verisimilitude

Answer 47

the appearance or semblance of truth