Literary words in LLCE Flashcards
Master literary words
Metaphor
Comparison between two words without “like” or “as”
Hyperbole
Deliberate exaggeration for effect
Oxymoron
Contradictory terms combined
Poetry
A literary form that uses rythm, meter and rhyme to express ideas and emotions
Play
A dramatic work written to be performed by actors, generally on stage
Irony
Saying the opposite of what is meant, often for humor or emphasis
Sarcasm
Cutting irony meant to mock or insult
Alliteration
the repetition of consonant sounds in nearby words
Assonance
the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words
Analogy
A comparison highlighting similarities between two concepts
Antithesis
Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases
Foreshadowing
Hints of future events in a story
Climax
The most intense/important point in a narrative
Pathos
an emotional appeal meant to evoke pity or sadness
Ceasura
A pause within a verse in poetry
Enjambement / Run-on-line
A sentence or phrase continuing beyond the end of a verse in poetry
Circularity
A narrative or argument that ends where it begins
Epigram
A witty, concise, and memorable statement
Novel
A long fictional narrative
Short story
A brief fictional narrative
Crime story
A story centered on a crime, investigation, or detective
Gothic novel
Dark and mysterious fiction often with supernatural elements
Comedy
A humorous work aiming to entertain
Science fiction
Stories exploring futuristic or scientific concepts
Fantasy
Fiction involving magic and supernatural elements
Biography
A written account of someone’s life
Tragedy
A serious drama with a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion
Drama
A play performed by actors
Fable
A short story with a moral, often using animals as characters
Literature
Written works considered art, like novels and poetry
Protagonist
The main character in a story
Character
A person or being in a narrative
Narrator
The person telling the story
Narrator’s viewpoint
The perspective of the storyteller (first/second/third person, etc)
First person point of view
Told from the narrator’s perspective using “I”
Third person narrative point of view
Uses “he”, “she”, or “they”
Omniscient narrator
A narrator knowing everything about all characters
Setting
The time and place of a story
Plot
The sequence of events in a story
Incipits
Opening lines or paragraphs of a text
Literarys devices
techniques used by writers to enhance their storytelling
Euphemism
A mild or less direct word or phrase used to replace one that is harsh or unpleasant
Mise-en-abyme
A story within a story
Utopia
An imagined ideal and perfect society
Dystopia
An imagined society characterized by suffering or injustice
Totalitarian regime
A government with absolute control over public and private life
Surveillance
Close observation, often by authorities
Communism
A system invented by Karl Marx in the 19th century with communal ownership of property and resources
Propaganda
Biased information spread to promote a political cause
Oppression
Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment
Victorian society
A rigid social structure with strict morals, class division, and emphasis on family value during Queen Victoria’s reign
Dehumanization
the stripping of human qualities or dignity
Disintegration
The breakdown of structure or unity
Feelings
Emotions experienced by characters or readers
Coping with loss
a personal experience in which a person is alone and dealing with grief or absence
Social disorder
Disruption in societal norms or structures
Struggle
A difficult effort to overcome challenges or achieve something
Subjectivity
Personal perspective or bias
Playwrights
Author of plays
Stage directions
Instructions for actors and staging in a play
Props
Objects used on stage
Stanza
A grouped set of lines in a poem
Cue
A signal for action or dialogue in a play
Book review
An evaluation of a book’s content and style
Publishing house
A company that prints and distributes books
Edits
Changes made to improve a text
Synopsis
A brief summary of a work
Summary
A concise statement of the main points
Plotline
The main narrative path of a story
Portrayal
The representation of something in literature like characters
Catharsis
The release of strong emotions through art or storytelling
Alter ego
A secondary or alternative personality
Slapstick
Physical comedy involving exaggerated actions
Whimsical
Playfully imaginative or unpredictable
Witticism
A clever and witty remark
Foibles
Minor character flaws
Smug
Excessively self-satisfied or complacent
Pathetic
Evoking pity, often through vulnerability
