Literay Devices Flashcards
What is an Allusion?
A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art, often made to enrich the meaning of a text.
What is Ambiguity?
The presence of two or more possible meanings or interpretations in a word, phrase, or situation, often creating uncertainty.
What is Inference?
A conclusion or deduction made based on evidence and reasoning, rather than direct statement.
What is Dramatic Irony?
Reader: knows what’s gonna happen
Characters: don’t know
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Footnote
Macbeth: we knew he was gonna be killed in the end (witches), he didn’t
What is Juxtaposition?
The placement of two or more elements (such as characters, ideas, or themes) side by side to highlight contrasts or similarities.
What is a Metaphor?
A figure of speech that compares two unlike things directly, without using ‘like’ or ‘as,’ to create a deeper meaning.
What is Mood?
The emotional atmosphere or feeling that a writer creates for the reader, often through descriptive language and setting.
What is a Simile?
A figure of speech that compares two things using ‘like’ or ‘as.’
What is a Paradox?
A statement that appears contradictory or self-refuting but may reveal a deeper truth upon closer examination.
What is Point of View?
The perspective from which a story is told.
It can be First person, Second person, or Third person, with variations like Limited and Omniscient.
What is Symbolism?
The use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts beyond their literal meaning.
What is a Theme?
The central idea, message, or underlying meaning of a literary work.
What is Tone?
The author’s attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice, style, and content.
What is Characterization?
The process by which an author reveals the personality, traits, and motivations of a character, either directly or indirectly.
What is Character Development?
The change or growth a character undergoes throughout a story, often in response to events or conflicts.
What is Character Motivation?
The reasons or desires that drive a character’s actions and decisions in a story.
What is Suspense?
A feeling of tension or excitement that keeps the reader or audience wondering what will happen next.
What is an Aside?
A remark made by a character in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but not by other characters.
What is a Soliloquy?
A speech delivered by a character alone on stage, revealing their inner thoughts or feelings.
What is a Monologue?
A long speech by a single character, which can be addressed to another character, a group, or the audience.
What is a Tragedy?
A dramatic or literary work that depicts the downfall of a protagonist, often due to a fatal flaw or a twist of fate.
What is a Tragic Hero?
A central character in a tragedy who is typically of noble stature and has a fatal flaw that leads to their downfall.
What is a Heroic Archetype?
A universal character model representing heroism, often embodying traits like courage, strength, and self-sacrifice.
What are Sonnets?
A type of poem, traditionally of 14 lines, with a specific rhyme scheme and meter, often expressing themes like love, time, and beauty.
Common forms include the Shakespearean (English) and Petrarchan (Italian) sonnets.
