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Literary Terms > Section 1 > Flashcards

Section 1 Flashcards

1
Q

abstract

A

an abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research (often scientific)

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2
Q

adage

A

a saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language

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3
Q

allegory

A

a story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface; highly symbolic

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4
Q

alliteration

A

the repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem

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5
Q

allusion

A

a reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea

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6
Q

ambiguity

A

a vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretations

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7
Q

anachronism

A

a person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set

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8
Q

analogy

A

a comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things

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9
Q

annotation

A

a brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature

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10
Q

antagonist

A

a character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict

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11
Q

antithesis

A

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”

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12
Q

aphorism

A

a short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment

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13
Q

Apollonian

A

in contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior

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14
Q

apostrophe

A

a locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present; ex. “oh, you cruel streets of Manhattan, how I detest you!”

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15
Q

archetype

A

an abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form

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16
Q

assonance

A

the repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines of a poem

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17
Q

ballad

A

a simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited

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18
Q

bard

A

a poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment

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19
Q

bathos

A

the use of insincere or overdone sentimentality

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20
Q

belle-lettres

A

french term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general

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21
Q

bibliography

A

a list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other works

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22
Q

Bildungsroman

A

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

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23
Q

bombast

A

inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects

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24
Q

burlesque

A

a work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation

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25
Q

cacophony

A

grating, inharmonious sounds

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26
Q

caesura

A

a pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often marked by punctuation

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27
Q

canon

A

the works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied

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28
Q

caricature

A

a grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things

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29
Q

carpe diem

A

literally “seize the day”; enjoy life while you can; a common theme in literature

30
Q

catharsis

A

a cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy

31
Q

classic

A

a highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time

32
Q

classical, classicism

A

deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity, and restraint

33
Q

climax

A

the high point, or turning point, of a story or play

34
Q

conceit

A

a witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language

35
Q

connotation

A

the suggested or implied meaning of a work or phrase; contrast with dennotation

36
Q

consonance

A

the repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry

37
Q

couplet

A

a pair of rhyming lines in a poem; two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter is sometimes called a heroic couplet

38
Q

denotation

A

the dictionary definition of a word; contrast with connotation

39
Q

dénouement

A

the resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction

40
Q

deus ex machina

A

in literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem

41
Q

diction

A

the choice of words in oral and written discourse

42
Q

Dionysian

A

as distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses

43
Q

dramatic irony

A

a circumstance in which that audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character

44
Q

elegy

A

a poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of something or someone of value

45
Q

ellipsis

A

three periods (…) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation

46
Q

elliptical construction

A

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

47
Q

empathy

A

a feeling of association or identification with an object or person

48
Q

end-stopped

A

a term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation

49
Q

enjambment

A

in poetry, the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them

50
Q

epic

A

a narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero

51
Q

epigram

A

a concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement

52
Q

euphony

A

pleasing, harmonious sonfs

53
Q

epithet

A

an adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or things

54
Q

eponymous

A

a term for the title character of a work of literature

55
Q

euphemism

A

a mild or less negative usage for harsh or blunt term; ex. “pass away” is a euphemism for “die”

56
Q

exegesis

A

a detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature

57
Q

exposé

A

a piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings

58
Q

exposition

A

the background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature

59
Q

explication

A

the interpretation or analysis of a text

60
Q

extended metaphor

A

a series of comparisons between two unlike objects

61
Q

fable

A

a short tale often with nonhuman characters form which a useful lesson may be drawn

62
Q

falling action

A

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

63
Q

fantasy

A

a story containing unreal, imaginary features

64
Q

farce

A

a comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose

65
Q

figure of speech, figurative language

A

in contrast to literal language, figurative language implies meanings; figures of speech in metaphors, similes, and personification, among many others

66
Q

first-person narrative

A

a narrative told by a character involved in the story using first-person pronouns such as “I” and “we”

67
Q

metacognition

A

the ability to think about one’s thinking and/or thought process

68
Q

synesthesia

A

the sensation when one sensory modality replaces or crosses with another

69
Q

schwa

A

/ə/; phonetic sound; “e” sound in “the”

70
Q

antihero

A

character who adds complexity and is a protagonist but lacks typical traits of a hero such as leadership or courage

Literary Terms (1 decks)

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