Poetry: Devices and figurative language Flashcards
enjambement
a run-on line, continuing into the next without a grammatical break
(no comma at the end of a line)
metaphor
a figure of speech which makes a direct comparison of unlike objects using identification or substitution
simile
a figure of speech which makes a direct comparison of two unlike objects, using the works like or as
Conceit
an extended metaphor, used to create a powerful effect
personification
giving objects/animals human qualities
apostrophe
an address to a person or personified object not present (or dead)
(Oh sun, please shine on my flowers)
Metonymy
the substitution of a word which relates to the object or person to be named in place of the name itself
(not part of the whole)
(the SERPENT lied to me)
Synecdoche
a part of something represents the whole object/idea (unlike metonymy)
(the TONGUE lied to me)
hyperbole
an exaggeration/overstatement for effect
litotes
a form of understatement in which the negative of an antonym is used to achieve emphasis and intensity
irony
the contrast between actual meaning and another meaning
verbal: oral
dramatic: audience knowledge vs character knowledge
situational: unexpected outcome of a situation
symbolism
the use of one object to suggest another, hidden object/idea
imagery
the use of words to represent things/actions/ideas by sensory description
paradox
a seemingly self-contradictory statement that underlines a basis of truth
oxymoron
contradictory terms used together to expressed a paradox for strong effect
allusion
a reference to an outside fact, event or another source
Allegory
a story or narrative, often told at some length, which has a deeper meaning below the surface
Ambiguity
use of language where the meaning is unclear or has two or more possible interpretations or meanings
Ambivalence
indicates more than one possible attitude is being displayed by the writer towards a character, theme, or idea, etc
Anachronism
something that is historically inaccurate
Anthropomorphism
the endowment of something that is not human with human characteristics
Antithesis
contrasting ideas or words that are balanced against each other
Archaic
language that is old-fashioned - not completely obsolete but no longer in current use
Atmosphere
the prevailing mood created by a piece of writing
Caricature
a character described through the exaggeration of a small number of features that he or she possesses
Catharsis
a purging of the emotions which takes place at the end of a tragedy
Cliché
a phrase, idea, or image that has been used so much that it has lost much of its original meaning, impact, and freshness
Colloquial
ordinary, everyday speech and language
Comedy
originally simply a play or other work which ended happily. Now we use this term to describe something that is funny and which makes us laugh.
Connotation
an implication or association attached to a word or phrase
Denouement
the ending of a play, novel, or drama where ‘all is revealed’ and the plot is unraveled
Diction
the choice of words that a writer makes
Didactic
a work that is intended to preach or teach, often containing a particular moral or political point
Dramatic monologue
a poem or prose piece in which a character addresses an audience
End Stopping
a verse line with a pause or a stop at the end of it
Euphemism
expressing an unpleasant or unsavory idea in a less blunt and more pleasant way
Euphony
use of pleasant or melodious sounds
Figurative language
language that is symbolic or metaphorical and not meant to be taken literally
Lament
a poem expressing intense grief
Motif
a dominant theme, subject, or idea which runs through a piece of literature
Parody
a work that is written in imitation of another work, very often with the intention of making fun of the original
Pastoral
generally, literature concerning rural life with idealizes settings and rustic characters
Pathos
the effect in literature which makes the reader feel sadness or pity
Pun
a play on words that have similar sounds but quite different meanings
Refrain
repetition throughout a poem of a phrase, line, or series of lines, as in the ‘chorus’ of a song
Satire
the highlighting or exposing of human failings or foolishness within a society through ridiculing them
Sestet
the last six lines of a sonnet
Soliloquy
a speech in which a character, alone on stage, expresses his or her thoughts and feelings aloud for the benefit of the audience, often in a revealing way
Style
the individual way in which a writer has used language to express his or her ideas
Syntax
the way in which sentences are structured
Theme
the central idea or ideas that the writer explores through a text
tone
a literary technique created through the combined effects of a number of features, such as diction, syntax, rhythm, etc
caesura
a break within a line of verse
carpe diem
saying that means to make the most of the present and give little thought to the future
chiasmus
inverted words
description
text that explains/describes something to help the reader visualize it
dues ex machina
God’s hand/unexcepted force changes a seemingly hopeless situation
digression
a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.
ellipsis
the omission of word(s) that are significant/necessary in a sentence
series of dots
epigraph
a short quotation or saying at the beginning of a book or chapter, intended to suggest its theme
epilogue
a conclusion
epiphany
when a character receives sudden insight
exposition
explanation of background information to the audience
in medias res
middle of a narrative
jargon
use of specific phrases in a particular situation/profession for conveying hidden meanings understood in that situation/profession
leitmotif
a repeating theme associated with a person, idea or situation
lyrical
a work that can be sung, or a work with an enthusiastic tone
myth
a legend/traditional story about an event/hero/gods with little factual explanations
nom de plume
a pen name
parable
a simple story with a moral/spiritual lesson
parallelism
the balance in one or more sentences that are grammatically identical
(ex: the -ing, -ing, -ing)
persona
the character/speaker in a first-person poem
syllogism
a conclusion derived from using reason on previous statements
Usually a flawed conclusion
volta
in an Italian sonnet, the point when the feelings changes; usually between the octave and the sestet
