Unit 1 Literary Elements Flashcards
What is a Simile?
A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as”
What is a metaphor?
A direct comparison between two unlike things; saying one thing IS another.
What is motif?
Any recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story.
What is symbolism?
The use of an object, person, place, etc. to represent a larger idea
What is hyperbole?
An extreme exaggeration
What is euphemism?
An understatement used to lessen a potential harshness or crass
What is verbal irony?
Similar to sarcasm. When a character says one thing but means the opposite
What is situational irony?
When the opposite of what is expected (or is ideal) occurs.
What is dramatic irony?
When the audience knows what is happening but the character(s) does not.
What is a cliché?
A phrase or opinion that is overused and has lost its original effect.
What is tone and how does it relate to diction?
The way the author expresses his attitude through his writing. Diction (or word choice) often plays a role in how tone is revealed.
What is personification?
Giving human traits to non-human things.
What is onomatopoeia?
A word that sounds like its meaning.
What is an oxymoron?
A figure of speech where two opposite words appear together
What is an allegory?
A story, poem, or picture that sends a moral lesson to its audience.
What is a rhyme?
The repetition of same sounds in two or more words, often at the end of the word(s) or lines of poetry or prose.
What is an allusion?
A direct or indirect reference to something well known (like other stories, history, movies, etc.)
What is foreshadowing?
The hint an author gives about what will happen in a story
What is a flashback?
Showing events from before the story started, often through memories.
What is characterization?
CHARACTERIZATION: A device used by the author to show or tell about the characters. The author uses characterization to reveal traits about the characters and to develop their personalities.
What is direct characterization?
When the author tells us about the character.
What is indirect characterization?
When the author shows us about the character through the character’s thoughts, actions, looks, effects on other characters, and speech. (TALES)
Name the 5 different types of heroes
Classical, anti-hero, tragic-hero, romantic-hero, modern-hero
What is a protagonist?
The main character. The story revolves around this character.
What is an antagonist?
The character (or force) that is against the protagonist