Section 1 Flashcards
abstract
an abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research (often scientific)
adage
a saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language
allegory
a story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface; highly symbolic
alliteration
the repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem
allusion
a reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea
ambiguity
a vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretations
anachronism
a person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set
analogy
a comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things
annotation
a brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature
antagonist
a character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict
antithesis
a rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences; ex. “they promised freedom but provided slavery”, “ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country”
aphorism
a short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment
Apollonian
in contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior
apostrophe
a locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present; ex. “oh, you cruel streets of Manhattan, how I detest you!”
archetype
an abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form
assonance
the repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines of a poem
ballad
a simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited
bard
a poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment
bathos
the use of insincere or overdone sentimentality
belle-lettres
french term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general
bibliography
a list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other works
Bildungsroman
a german word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal
bombast
inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects
burlesque
a work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation
cacophony
grating, inharmonious sounds
caesura
a pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often marked by punctuation
canon
the works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied
caricature
a grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things
carpe diem
literally “seize the day”; enjoy life while you can; a common theme in literature
catharsis
a cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy
classic
a highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time
classical, classicism
deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity, and restraint
climax
the high point, or turning point, of a story or play
conceit
a witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language
connotation
the suggested or implied meaning of a work or phrase; contrast with dennotation
consonance
the repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry
couplet
a pair of rhyming lines in a poem; two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter is sometimes called a heroic couplet
denotation
the dictionary definition of a word; contrast with connotation
dénouement
the resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction
deus ex machina
in literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem
diction
the choice of words in oral and written discourse
Dionysian
as distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses
dramatic irony
a circumstance in which that audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character
elegy
a poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of something or someone of value
ellipsis
three periods (…) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation
elliptical construction
a sentence containing a deliberate omission of words; in the sentence “May was hot and June the same,” the verb “was” is omitted from the second clause
empathy
a feeling of association or identification with an object or person
end-stopped
a term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation
enjambment
in poetry, the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them
epic
a narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero
epigram
a concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement
euphony
pleasing, harmonious sonfs
epithet
an adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or things
eponymous
a term for the title character of a work of literature
euphemism
a mild or less negative usage for harsh or blunt term; ex. “pass away” is a euphemism for “die”
exegesis
a detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature
exposé
a piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings
exposition
the background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature
explication
the interpretation or analysis of a text
extended metaphor
a series of comparisons between two unlike objects
fable
a short tale often with nonhuman characters form which a useful lesson may be drawn
falling action
the action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict
fantasy
a story containing unreal, imaginary features
farce
a comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose
figure of speech, figurative language
in contrast to literal language, figurative language implies meanings; figures of speech in metaphors, similes, and personification, among many others
first-person narrative
a narrative told by a character involved in the story using first-person pronouns such as “I” and “we”
metacognition
the ability to think about one’s thinking and/or thought process
synesthesia
the sensation when one sensory modality replaces or crosses with another
schwa
/ə/; phonetic sound; “e” sound in “the”
antihero
character who adds complexity and is a protagonist but lacks typical traits of a hero such as leadership or courage
