Week 3 Flashcards
A literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition, don’t worry—it is. ~~~ is a broad term that encompasses three different types, each with their own specific definition: verbal, dramatic, and situational. Most of the time when people use the word ~~~, they’re actually referring to one of these specific types.
Some additional key details about ~~~:
• The term comes from the ancient Greek comic character called the "eiron," who pretends ignorance in order to deceive an opponent. • ~~~ overlaps with, but is not identical to, sarcasm and satire. • In the last twenty years or so, the term has become popular to describe an attitude of detachment or subversive humor, like that of someone who wears a Christmas sweater as a joke. This more recent meaning is not entirely consistent with the original meaning. • Note: • Verbal ~~~ is a figure of speech in which the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. For example, if someone has a painful visit to the dentist and when it's over says, "Well, that was pleasant," they are using verbal ~~~ because the intended meaning of their words (that it wasn't at all pleasant) is the opposite of the literal meaning of the words. Verbal ~~~ is the most common form of ~~~. In fact it is so common that when people mention "~~~," they often are actually referring to verbal ~~~. • Dramatic ~~~ Is a plot device that highlights the difference between a character's understanding of a given situation, and that of the audience. When the audience watching a movie knows what's behind that door, but the character in the movie has no idea... that's dramatic ~~~. • Situational ~~~ refers to an unexpected, paradoxical, or perverse turn of events. It is an example of situational ~~~ when, in the O. Henry story "The Gift of the Magi," a young wife cuts off her hair in order to buy her husband a chain for his prized watch, but the husband sells his watch to buy his wife a comb for her beautiful hair.
Further note:
• Sarcasm is a bitter, cutting, or mocking taunt used to denigrate a particular person, place, or thing. It can sometimes take the form of verbal ~~~. For instance, if you were to say to someone who had just cut you in line, "What a polite, civilized person you are!" that would be sarcasm in the form of ~~~, since your meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning of your words. Sarcasm very often involves ~~~. However, it doesn't always have to use ~~~. For instance, when Groucho Marx says "i never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception," he is being sarcastic, but his words, however witty they are, mean exactly what they say. • Satire is a form of social or political critique. Like sarcasm, it often makes use of ~~~, but not always.
(Definition retrieved and lightly modified from litcharts.com)
irony
An idea, symbol, pattern, or character-type, in a story. It’s any story element that appears again and again in stories from cultures around the world and symbolizes something universal in the human experience.
Examples of character ~~~s include the hero (Luke Skywalker), anti-hero (Wolverine), trickster (Bugs Bunny), seductress (Mystique from “X-Men”), mother/father figure, mentor (Yoda), and nightmare creature.
Examples of situational ~~~s include lost love, returning from the dead, or orphans destined for greatness.
Examples of symbolic ~~~s include trees as a symbol of nature, fire as a symbol of destruction, etc.
(Definition retrieved and lightly modified from literaryterms.net)
achetype
An account of connected events. Two writers describing the same set of events might craft very different ~~~s, depending on how they use different ~~~ elements, such as tone or point of view. For example, an account of the American Civil War written from the perspective of a white slaveowner would make for a very different ~~~ than if it were written from the perspective of a historian, or a former slave.
Some additional key details:
The words “~~~” and “story” are often used interchangeably, and with the casual meanings of the two terms that’s fine. However, technically speaking, the two terms have related but different meanings.
The word “~~~” is also frequently used as an adjective to describe something that tells a story, such as ~~~ poetry.
(Definition retrieved and lightly modified from litcharts.com)
narrative
A religious movement in the late 16th and 17th centuries (about 1560-1700) that aimed to “purify” the Church of England of its Catholic practices. Followers believed in simple worship, strict moral codes, and hard work. They were known for their focus on personal religious experience.
Key Figures: Important leaders included John Winthrop, who led ~~~ to establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, and Anne Bradstreet, America’s first published poet.
~~~ influenced American culture, especially in New England, and its emphasis on hard work and morality can still be seen today.
Puritanism
The belief that reason and logic are the primary sources of knowledge and truth, rather than religious faith or emotional experience. ~~~ was central to Enlightenment thinking and led to advances in science, philosophy, and government. Adherents believed that human beings could understand the world and improve it through thought and inquiry.
Example: The U.S. Founding Fathers, like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, were influenced by ideas of ~~~, which shaped the founding principles of the United States. ~~~ promoted critical thinking, skepticism, and a commitment to progress and human rights.
rationalism
An event that creates a problem or conflict for the characters and sets in motion a series of increasingly significant events that constitute the main events of the story. The ~~~ marks the end of the exposition and the beginning of the rising action. Note that the ~~~ doesn’t have to be an actual event—it may just be a piece of information that adds tension or suspense to the actions of the characters. This information is sometimes referred to as the complication rather than as the ~~~. Here are two examples:
The ~~~ in ““Little Red Riding Hood”” is that there is a Big Bad Wolf in the forest, making Little Red’s trip all the more dangerous and suspenseful.
The ~~~ of the first Home Alone movie is that Kevin gets left at home when his family goes on vacation.
(Definition retrieved and lightly modified from litcharts.com)
inciting incident
A figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison.
Here are the basics:
It states that one thing is another thing
It equates those two things not because they actually are the same, but for the sake of comparison or symbolism
If you take it literally, it will probably sound very strange (are there actually any sheep, black or otherwise, in your family?)
Often used in poetry, literature, and anytime someone wants to add some color to their language
Examples:
She got cold feet.
Love is a battlefield.
Silas is a couch potato.
You are my shining star.
Note: Differs from “simile” in that similes do not directly state that something is something else; instead, similes use “like” or “as” to compare two things, i.e., “I’m as busy as a bee.”
(Definition retrieved and lightly modified from grammarly.com)
metaphor
A literary device in which an object, character, or event represents something beyond its literal meaning, conveying deeper significance or ideas. A common example is a dove, which often represents peace or innocence. While the bird is just an animal in a literal sense, in a story or poem, it might be used to represent the idea of peace or the hope for calm in a chaotic situation.
symbolism
irony
A literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition, don’t worry—it is. ~~~ is a broad term that encompasses three different types, each with their own specific definition: verbal, dramatic, and situational. Most of the time when people use the word ~~~, they’re actually referring to one of these specific types.
Some additional key details about ~~~:
• The term comes from the ancient Greek comic character called the "eiron," who pretends ignorance in order to deceive an opponent. • ~~~ overlaps with, but is not identical to, sarcasm and satire. • In the last twenty years or so, the term has become popular to describe an attitude of detachment or subversive humor, like that of someone who wears a Christmas sweater as a joke. This more recent meaning is not entirely consistent with the original meaning. • Note: • Verbal ~~~ is a figure of speech in which the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. For example, if someone has a painful visit to the dentist and when it's over says, "Well, that was pleasant," they are using verbal ~~~ because the intended meaning of their words (that it wasn't at all pleasant) is the opposite of the literal meaning of the words. Verbal ~~~ is the most common form of ~~~. In fact it is so common that when people mention "~~~," they often are actually referring to verbal ~~~. • Dramatic ~~~ Is a plot device that highlights the difference between a character's understanding of a given situation, and that of the audience. When the audience watching a movie knows what's behind that door, but the character in the movie has no idea... that's dramatic ~~~. • Situational ~~~ refers to an unexpected, paradoxical, or perverse turn of events. It is an example of situational ~~~ when, in the O. Henry story "The Gift of the Magi," a young wife cuts off her hair in order to buy her husband a chain for his prized watch, but the husband sells his watch to buy his wife a comb for her beautiful hair.
Further note:
• Sarcasm is a bitter, cutting, or mocking taunt used to denigrate a particular person, place, or thing. It can sometimes take the form of verbal ~~~. For instance, if you were to say to someone who had just cut you in line, "What a polite, civilized person you are!" that would be sarcasm in the form of ~~~, since your meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning of your words. Sarcasm very often involves ~~~. However, it doesn't always have to use ~~~. For instance, when Groucho Marx says "i never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception," he is being sarcastic, but his words, however witty they are, mean exactly what they say. • Satire is a form of social or political critique. Like sarcasm, it often makes use of ~~~, but not always.
(Definition retrieved and lightly modified from litcharts.com)
achetype
An idea, symbol, pattern, or character-type, in a story. It’s any story element that appears again and again in stories from cultures around the world and symbolizes something universal in the human experience.
Examples of character ~~~s include the hero (Luke Skywalker), anti-hero (Wolverine), trickster (Bugs Bunny), seductress (Mystique from “X-Men”), mother/father figure, mentor (Yoda), and nightmare creature.
Examples of situational ~~~s include lost love, returning from the dead, or orphans destined for greatness.
Examples of symbolic ~~~s include trees as a symbol of nature, fire as a symbol of destruction, etc.
(Definition retrieved and lightly modified from literaryterms.net)
narrative
An account of connected events. Two writers describing the same set of events might craft very different ~~~s, depending on how they use different ~~~ elements, such as tone or point of view. For example, an account of the American Civil War written from the perspective of a white slaveowner would make for a very different ~~~ than if it were written from the perspective of a historian, or a former slave.
Some additional key details:
The words “~~~” and “story” are often used interchangeably, and with the casual meanings of the two terms that’s fine. However, technically speaking, the two terms have related but different meanings.
The word “~~~” is also frequently used as an adjective to describe something that tells a story, such as ~~~ poetry.
(Definition retrieved and lightly modified from litcharts.com)
Puritanism
A religious movement in the late 16th and 17th centuries (about 1560-1700) that aimed to “purify” the Church of England of its Catholic practices. Followers believed in simple worship, strict moral codes, and hard work. They were known for their focus on personal religious experience.
Key Figures: Important leaders included John Winthrop, who led ~~~ to establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, and Anne Bradstreet, America’s first published poet.
~~~ influenced American culture, especially in New England, and its emphasis on hard work and morality can still be seen today.
rationalism
The belief that reason and logic are the primary sources of knowledge and truth, rather than religious faith or emotional experience. ~~~ was central to Enlightenment thinking and led to advances in science, philosophy, and government. Adherents believed that human beings could understand the world and improve it through thought and inquiry.
Example: The U.S. Founding Fathers, like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, were influenced by ideas of ~~~, which shaped the founding principles of the United States. ~~~ promoted critical thinking, skepticism, and a commitment to progress and human rights.
inciting incident
An event that creates a problem or conflict for the characters and sets in motion a series of increasingly significant events that constitute the main events of the story. The ~~~ marks the end of the exposition and the beginning of the rising action. Note that the ~~~ doesn’t have to be an actual event—it may just be a piece of information that adds tension or suspense to the actions of the characters. This information is sometimes referred to as the complication rather than as the ~~~. Here are two examples:
The ~~~ in ““Little Red Riding Hood”” is that there is a Big Bad Wolf in the forest, making Little Red’s trip all the more dangerous and suspenseful.
The ~~~ of the first Home Alone movie is that Kevin gets left at home when his family goes on vacation.
(Definition retrieved and lightly modified from litcharts.com)
metaphor
A figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison.
Here are the basics:
It states that one thing is another thing
It equates those two things not because they actually are the same, but for the sake of comparison or symbolism
If you take it literally, it will probably sound very strange (are there actually any sheep, black or otherwise, in your family?)
Often used in poetry, literature, and anytime someone wants to add some color to their language
Examples:
She got cold feet.
Love is a battlefield.
Silas is a couch potato.
You are my shining star.
Note: Differs from “simile” in that similes do not directly state that something is something else; instead, similes use “like” or “as” to compare two things, i.e., “I’m as busy as a bee.”
(Definition retrieved and lightly modified from grammarly.com)
