Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Language Arts 8 > Literature Terms > Flashcards

Literature Terms Flashcards

1
Q

a group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem; a verse.

A

Stanza

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

literature that describes imaginary events and people.

A

Fiction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people, such as biography or history

A

Non-Fiction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one

A

Allegory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference

A

Allusion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

is any book that contains unrealistic settings, or magic, often set in a medieval universe, or possibly involving mythical beings or supernatural forms as a primary element of the plot, theme, or setting

A

Fantasy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

The introductory material which gives the setting, creates the tone, presents the characters, and presents other facts necessary to understanding the story.

A

Exposition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the inciting force and ends with the climax.

A

Rising Action

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

The climax is the result of the crisis. It is the high point of the story for the reader. Frequently, it is the moment of the highest interest and greatest emotion. The point at which the outcome of the conflict can be predicted.

A

Climax

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

The event or character that triggers the conflict.

A

Inciting Force

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

The essence of fiction. It creates plot. The conflicts we encounter can usually be identified as one of four kinds. (Man versus…Man, Nature, Society, or Self)

A

Conflict (no example needed)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

The events after the climax which close the story.

A

Falling Action

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Rounds out and concludes the action.

A

Resolution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

The use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story.

A

Foreshadowing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

The conflict reaches a turning point. At this point the opposing forces in the story meet and the conflict becomes most intense. The crisis occurs before or at the same time as the climax.

A

Crisis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

three-dimensional characters. They have good and bad qualities.

A

Round character

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

they have only one quality and are of minor importance

A

Flat Character

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

grows or progresses to a higher level of understanding in the course of the story.

A

Dynamic character

19
Q

or someone who stays the same

A

Static Character

20
Q

The main character in the story

A

Protagonist

21
Q

The character or force that opposes the protagonist.

A

Antagonist

22
Q

A character who provides a contrast to the protagonist.

A

Foil

23
Q

The narrator is a character in the story who can reveal only personal thoughts and feelings and what he or she sees and is told by other characters. He can’t tell us thoughts of other characters.

A

First Person

24
Q

The narrator is an outsider who can report only what he or she sees and hears. This narrator can tell us what is happening, but he can’t tell us the thoughts of the characters.

A

Third-Person Objective

25
Q

The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of one of the characters.

A

Third-Person Limited

26
Q

The narrator is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the minds of more than one of the characters.

A

Omniscient

27
Q

Conflict that pits one person against another.

A

Man versus Man

28
Q

A run-in with the forces of nature. On the one hand, it expresses the insignificance of a single human life in the cosmic scheme of things. On the other hand, it tests the limits of a person’s strength and will to live.

A

Man versus Nature

29
Q

The values and customs by which everyone else lives are being challenged. The character may come to an untimely end as a result of his or her own convictions. The character may, on the other hand, bring others around to a sympathetic point of view, or it may be decided that society was right after all.

A

Man versus Society

30
Q

Internal conflict. Not all conflict involves other people. Sometimes people are their own worst enemies. An internal conflict is a good test of a character’s values. Does he give in to temptation or rise above it? Does he demand the most from himself or settle for something less? Does he even bother to struggle? The internal conflicts of a character and how they are resolved are good clues to the character’s inner strength.

A

Man versus Self

31
Q

The contrast between what is said and what is actually meant.

A

Verbal Irony

32
Q

This refers to a happening that is the opposite of what is expected or intended.

A

Irony of Situation

33
Q

This occurs when the audience or reader knows more than the characters know.

A

Dramatic Irony

34
Q

The author’s attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. Some possible attitudes are pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, and joyful. An author’s tone can be revealed through choice of words and details.

A

Tone

35
Q

The climate of feeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute towards creating a specific mood. For example, an author may create a mood of mystery around a character or setting but may treat that character or setting in an ironic, serious, or humorous tone

A

Mood

36
Q

A person, place or object which has a meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well. Things, characters and actions can be symbols. Anything that suggests a meaning beyond the obvious.
Some symbols are conventional, generally meaning the same thing to all readers.
For example: bright sunshine symbolizes goodness and water is a symbolic cleanser.

A

SYMBOLISM

37
Q

The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. A theme may be stated or implied. Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves a statement or opinion about the topic. Not every literary work has a theme. Themes may be major or minor. A major theme is an idea the author returns to time and again. It becomes one of the most important ideas in the story. Minor themes are ideas that may appear from time to time.
It is important to recognize the difference between the theme of a literary work and the subject of a literary work. The subject is the topic on which an author has chosen to write. The theme, however, makes some statement about or expresses some opinion on that topic. For example, the subject of a story might be war while the theme might be the idea that war is useless.

A

THEME

38
Q

Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of our senses.

A

IMAGERY

39
Q

A figure of speech which involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of be. The comparison is not announced by like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon of moonlight.

A

Metaphor

40
Q

Repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words. Alliteration is used to create melody, establish mood, call attention to important words, and point out similarities and contrasts. Example: wide-eyed and wondering while we wait for others to waken.

A

Alliteration (you may use an example not from the text)

41
Q

A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. It is a comparison which the author uses to show something in an entirely new light, to communicate a certain feeling or attitude towards it and to control the way a reader perceives it. Example: a brave handsome brute fell with a creaking rending cry–the author is giving a tree human qualities.

A

Personification (you may use an example not from the text)

42
Q

The use of words that mimic sounds. They appeal to our sense of hearing and they help bring a description to life. A string of syllables the author has made up to represent the way a sound really sounds. Example: Caarackle!

A

Onomatopoeia (you may use an example not from the text)

43
Q

An exaggerated statement used to heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: She’s said so on several million occasions

A

Hyperbole

44
Q

a short story, usually serving to make the listeners laugh or ponder over a topic. Generally, the anecdote will relate to the subject matter that the group of people is discussing.

A

Anecdote

Language Arts 8 (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions