Terms to use for IOC: literature Flashcards
Figurative language
language that is symbolic or metaphorical and not meant to be taken literally
Pathos
the effect in literature which makes the reader feel sadness or pity
Atmosphere
the prevailing mood created by a piece of writing
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)
tone
a literary technique created through the combined effects of a number of features, such as diction, syntax, rhythm, etc
Catharsis
a purging of the emotions which takes place at the end of a tragedy
allusion
a reference to an outside fact, event or another source
epigraph
a short quotation or saying at the beginning of a book or chapter, intended to suggest its theme
simile
a figure of speech which makes a direct comparison of two unlike objects, using the works like or as
Antithesis
contrasting ideas or words that are balanced against each other
Conceit
an extended metaphor, used to create a powerful effect
parallelism
the balance in one or more sentences that are grammatically identical
(ex: the -ing, -ing, -ing)
Diction
the choice of words that a writer makes
symbolism
the use of one object to suggest another, hidden object/idea
Ambivalence
indicates more than one possible attitude is being displayed by the writer towards a character, theme, or idea, etc
in medias res
middle of a narrative
Cliché
a phrase, idea, or image that has been used so much that it has lost much of its original meaning, impact, and freshness
Motif
a dominant theme, subject, or idea which runs through a piece of literature
leitmotif
a repeating theme associated with a person, idea or situation
paradox
a seemingly self-contradictory statement that underlines a basis of truth
aside
character’s dialogue that is not heard by others
hyperbole
an exaggeration/overstatement for effect
epiphany
when a character receives sudden insight
epilogue
a conclusion
jargon
use of specific phrases in a particular situation/profession for conveying hidden meanings understood in that situation/profession
Ambiguity
use of language where the meaning is unclear or has two or more possible interpretations or meanings
tragedy
hero falls because of a tragic flaw
Denouement
the ending of a play, novel, or drama where ‘all is revealed’ and the plot is unraveled
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
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)
ellipsis
the omission of word(s) that are significant/necessary in a sentence
series of dots
Lament
a poem expressing intense grief
Allegory
a story or narrative, often told at some length, which has a deeper meaning below the surface
Dramatic monologue
a poem or prose piece in which a character addresses an audience
enjambement
a run-on line, continuing into the next without a grammatical break
(no comma at the end of a line)
imagery
the use of words to represent things/actions/ideas by sensory description
dues ex machina
God’s hand/unexcepted force changes a seemingly hopeless situation
Caricature
a character described through the exaggeration of a small number of features that he or she possesses
irony
the contrast between actual meaning and another meaning
verbal: oral
dramatic: audience knowledge vs character knowledge
situational: unexpected outcome of a situation
description
text that explains/describes something to help the reader visualize it
Connotation
an implication or association attached to a word or phrase
Euphemism
expressing an unpleasant or unsavory idea in a less blunt and more pleasant way
Theme
the central idea or ideas that the writer explores through a text
Synecdoche
a part of something represents the whole object/idea (unlike metonymy)
(the TONGUE lied to me)
Anachronism
something that is historically inaccurate
metaphor
a figure of speech which makes a direct comparison of unlike objects using identification or substitution
exposition
explanation of background information to the audience
oxymoron
contradictory terms used together to expressed a paradox for strong effect
Refrain
repetition throughout a poem of a phrase, line, or series of lines, as in the ‘chorus’ of a song
Colloquial
ordinary, everyday speech and language
Syntax
the way in which sentences are structured
Style
the individual way in which a writer has used language to express his or her ideas
