Vocab Flashcards
Allegory
Portrays abstract ideas concretely
Allusion
A reference to another work of literature art, history, or current events
Analogy
A comparison between things to explain, or illustrate one or both things
Anaphora
Repetition of an initial word or words to add emphasis
Apostrophe
Direct address to abstraction, thing, or animal
Atmosphere
The feeling created for a reader by style, tone, setting or mood
Bildungsroman
A book that explores, a maturation of protagonist or coming-of-age
Blank verse
Unrymed iambic pentameter, close to natural patterns of speech
Carpe died
Literary theme “seize the day” encourages to joy the present
Character
A person depicted in a narrative
Characterization
Method author uses to build or reveal a characters traits
Climax
The point of the story when conflict reaches the highest intensity
Colloquial Language/Colloquialism
Expression or language construction for casual or informal writing
Concrete
Refers to particular things as opposed to a broad concept
Conflict
Tension, opposition, or struggle that drives the plot
External or internal 
Connotation
Meanings or associations, with a word or item beyond its definition
Detonation
The literal definition of a word or, “dictionary definition”
Dialogue
The written depiction of conversation between characters
Direct characterization
A narrator tells who a character is by background, motivation, temperament, and appearance
Dramatic monologue
A type of poem where the speaker not the author, addresses the audience present in the poem
Elegy
Contemplative poem about death or mortality, written for someone who died 
Epigram
Short or witty statement meant to surprise the audience or reader 
Epigraph
A quotation preceding it work of literature that helps set the mood or theme
Epiphany
A characters transformative moment of realization. 
Eulogy
A poem, speech, or other work in praise of something or someone no longer living
Exposition
Contextual and background information about characters, plot and situation and setting
Extended metaphor
A metaphor that continues over several lines for the entire work 
Falling action
The result of the climax or turning point
Farce
Dramatic form marked by wholly absurd situations, like slapstick, etc.
Figurative language
Uses figures of speech, non literal, evokes strong images
First-Person Narrator
The narrator is a character who tells the story from their own point of view.
Flashback
a scene in a narrative that is set in an earlier time than the main plot.
Foil
a contrasting character who allows the protagonist to stand out more directly.
Foreshadowing
a plot device in which future events are hinted at.
Hubris
an excessive level of pride that leads to the protagonist’s downfall.
Hyperbole
defibrate exaggeration used for emphasis (an overstatement)
Imagery
a description of how something looks, feels, tastes, smells, or sounds.
in media res
meaning “in the middle of things”
a narrative that starts in the middle of the action.
Indirect Characterization
A characters is shown through what they say, do, think, or others opinions.
Irony, dramatic
a contrast between what a character thinks/says, and what the reader knows.
Irony, situational
A pointed discrepancy between what’s fitting and what happens.
Irony, verbal
a figure of speech that occurs when a person says one thing and means another. (sarcasm)
Juxtaposition
placing 2 things together for the sake of comparison/contrast.
Metaphor
A figure of speech that compares or equates 2 things without like or as.
Metaphor, extended
A metaphor that continues over several lines or the entire work.
Meter
The formal, regular organization of syllables in feet. The number of syllables and stress placement.
Metonymy
A figure of speech where something represented by another related thing.
Monologue
In a play, it’s a speech given by one person.
Mood
The feeling created for the reader by style, tone, or setting.
Motif
The recurring pattern of images, words, or symbols to reveal theme.
Narrative Frame
A plot device where main narrative is placed into another to help explain.
Narrator
A character who tells the narrative/story. Maybe with different points of view.
Non Sequitur
A reply or remark that does not have relevance to previous stuff.
Ode
Poetry to meditate or address about an object or condition.
Omniscient Narrator
An all-knowing voice in a story, has greater insight.
Omniscient Point of View
Uses 3rd person point of view/ pronouns. Is privy to thoughts and actions.
Oxymoron
A paradox made up of 2 seemingly contradictory words.
Parable
a tale told explicitly to illustrate a moral lesson or conclusion.
Paradox
a statement that seems contradictory but is actually not.
Parallel Structure
Repeated use of similar grammatical structures for emphasis.
Parody
A comic/satiric imitation of literary work or style.
Passive Voice
A sentence employs passive voice when a subject doesn’t act but is acted on.
Personification
a figure of speech in which an animal/object is imbued with human like qualities.
Plot
An arrangement of events often; Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and conclusion.
Point of View
The perspective from which a work is told; 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person.
Protagonist
the main character in a work, often a hero.
Pun
A play on words for humor. From the replacement of 1 word with another similar sounding word.
Resolution
The working out of a plot’s conflict, following the climax.
Rising action
events marked by increasing tension and conflict, builds to the climax.
Satire
A literary work that uses irony to critique society or an individual.
Setting
Where and when a story takes place.
Setting, social
Manners, mores, customs, rituals, and codes of conduct in a work.
Simile
A figure of speech used to explain or clarify an idea by comparing it to something else.
Soliloquy
In a play, it’s a monologue where a character, alone, reveals their thoughts or emotions.
Speaker
The character (often in a play) who is currently delivering lines.
Stanza
Lines in a poem that are grouped together, and separated from other lines.
Stream of Consciousness
A technique in which prose follows logic and flow of characters thoughts.
Symbol
Setting, object, or event in a story that caries more literal meaning and represents something significant.
Synecdoche
A figure of speech in which part of something is used to represent the whole.
Theme
The underlying issues or ideas of a work.
Thesis Statement
the chief claim that a writer makes in any argumentative work.
Tone
The speaker’s attitude as exposed through stylistic choices. It provides emotional coloring.
Tragic Hero
A character who possess a flaw or commits an error in judgment that leads to their downfall.
Understatement
The presentation of something less important that it actually is. Opposite of hyperbole.
Vignette
A short narrative scene or description. Often in one series.
