A-C Flashcards
(41 cards)
allegory
A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical, or possibly an ethical meaning. The story and characters represent values beyond themselves.
alliteration
The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose. Used for ornament or for emphasis. Also used in epithets, phrases, and slogans. Enhances the aesthetic quality of a prose passage or poem.
allusion
A reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.
ambiguity
A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation.
analogy
A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things.
antagonist
A character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist, produces tension or conflict.
antithesis
A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences.
aphorism
A short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment.
apostrophe
A rhetorical device in which a speaker addresses a person or personified thing not present.
archetype
An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form.
assonance
The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose.
ballad
A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited.
blank verse
Poetry written in iambic pentameter, the primary meter used in English poetry and the words of Shakespeare and Milton. The lines generally do not rhyme.
cacophony
Grating, inharmonious sounds.
caesura
A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often (but not always) marked by punctuation.
caricature
A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things.
catharsis
A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror or a dramatic tragedy.
conceit
A witty or ingenious thought a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language.
connotation
The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase. Contrast with denotation.
consonance
The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry.
couplet
A pair of rhyming lines in a poem. Two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter is sometimes called a heroic ________.
denotaion
The dictionary definition of a word. Contrast with connotation.
anapestic meter
a meter in which a majority of the feet are anapests
anaphora
Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines
