VOCAB Flashcards
What is direct characterisation?
The author explicitly describes a character’s traits (e.g., “She was kind and gentle”).
What is indirect characterisation?
The reader infers traits through a character’s actions, dialogue, thoughts, or how others react to them.
What is an archetype?
A universal character model or pattern (e.g., the hero, the mentor).
What is a foil in literature?
A character who contrasts with another, highlighting their traits.
What is a linear narrative?
Events are presented in chronological order.
What is a non-linear narrative?
Events are presented out of order (e.g., flashbacks, flashforwards).
What is conflict in a story?
The main problem driving the story, either internal (character vs. self) or external (character vs. other forces like society, nature, or another character).
What is foreshadowing?
Hints about events to come.
What is the climax of a story?
The turning point or moment of highest tension.
What is setting in literature?
The time, place, and social context of the story. Setting can contribute to the mood or act as a symbol.
What is pathetic fallacy?
Attributing human emotions to nature or the environment to reflect mood.
What is first-person narration?
The narrator is a character in the story (e.g., “I walked to the store”).
What is third-person limited narration?
The narrator knows the thoughts of one character.
What is third-person omniscient narration?
The narrator knows the thoughts of all characters.
What is an unreliable narrator?
A narrator whose credibility is questionable.
What is stream of consciousness?
A narrative style that mimics the flow of a character’s thoughts.
What is an intrusive narrator?
A narrator who interrupts the story to provide commentary.
What is imagery?
Descriptive language appealing to the senses (e.g., “The roses smelled sweet and filled the air with a heady aroma”).
What is figurative language?
Creative expressions that go beyond literal meaning, including:
What is a metaphor?
Direct comparison (e.g., “Her smile was sunshine”).
What is a simile?
Comparison using “like” or “as” (e.g., “He ran like the wind”).
What is personification?
Giving human qualities to non-human things (e.g., “The wind whispered through the trees”).
What is symbolism?
Using objects or characters to represent abstract ideas (e.g., a dove symbolizing peace).
What is a motif?
A recurring element, such as an image or idea, that reinforces themes.
What is an allusion?
A reference to another text, historical event, or cultural figure.
What is an allegory?
A story functioning as an extended metaphor where characters and events represent abstract ideas (e.g., George Orwell’s Animal Farm).
What is tone in literature?
The author’s attitude toward the subject (e.g., serious, sarcastic, playful).
What is mood in literature?
The emotional atmosphere created by the text (e.g., eerie, uplifting).
What is the purpose of a text?
The reason the author writes the text (e.g., to inform, persuade, entertain, or reflect).
What is the audience in literature?
The intended readers or viewers, influencing tone and style.
What does chronological mean?
Events or points presented in time order.
What is cause and effect?
Explaining why something happens and its consequences.
What is compare and contrast?
Highlighting similarities and differences between ideas.
What is problem-solution structure?
Presenting an issue and proposing resolutions.
What is cyclical structure?
A structure where the ending mirrors or reflects the beginning.
What is juxtaposition?
Placing contrasting ideas, events, or descriptions close together for effect.
What is formal language?
Polished, professional tone with precise vocabulary.
What is informal language?
Conversational tone, including colloquialisms and slang.
What are rhetorical questions?
Questions posed to provoke thought rather than elicit an answer (e.g., “Who wouldn’t want success?”).
What is a cliche?
An over-used expression (e.g., It was a dark and stormy night).
What is ethos?
Establishing credibility or authority (e.g., citing expertise).
What is pathos?
Appealing to emotions (e.g., a personal anecdote).
What is logos?
Appealing to logic through facts and statistics.
What is chiasmus?
A rhetorical figure where words or phrases are reversed for effect (e.g., “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country”).
What is antithesis?
Contrasting ideas placed in parallel structures (e.g., “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”).
What is jargon?
Specialised language used, often defined by profession or group of shared interests.
What is hyperbole?
Deliberate exaggeration for effect (e.g., “This product will change your life!”).
What is an anecdote?
A short personal story to illustrate a point.
What is direct address?
Speaking directly to the audience (e.g., “You need to act now”).
What is an imperative?
An order or command for an action.
What is repetition?
Words or statements used more than once for emphasis.
What is point of view?
The author’s perspective or stance.
What is bias in literature?
The author’s subjective views or preferences, often revealed through word choice.
What is a euphemism?
Mild or indirect phrasing to soften harsh realities (e.g., “passed away” instead of “died”).
What is satire?
Use of humour, irony, or ridicule to criticise or expose flaws in individuals or society.
What is lineation?
How lines are arranged in the poem (e.g., long lines, short lines).
What are stanza forms?
Groupings of lines (e.g., couplets, quatrains).
What is enjambment?
A line that flows without pause into the next.
What is caesura?
A pause within a line, often marked by punctuation.
What is a volta?
A shift in tone or argument, especially in sonnets.
What is free verse?
Poetry without a regular rhyme or meter.
What is alliteration?
Repetition of initial consonant sounds.
What is assonance?
Repetition of vowel sounds (e.g., “The rain in Spain”).
What is onomatopoeia?
Words that imitate sounds (e.g., “buzz,” “clang”).
What is sibilance?
Repetition of “s” or “sh” sounds to create a hissing or soothing effect.
What is cacophony?
Use of harsh, discordant sounds.
What is euphony?
Use of pleasing, harmonious sounds.
What is tone in poetry?
The speaker’s attitude (e.g., reflective, defiant).
What is mood in poetry?
The emotional effect on the reader (e.g., melancholic, jubilant).
What is persona in poetry?
The voice or role assumed by the poet or speaker.
What is a dramatic monologue?
A poem in which the speaker addresses a silent listener, revealing their character indirectly.
