Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

ENG4U Literary Terms > ENG4U Literary Terms > Flashcards

ENG4U Literary Terms Flashcards

memorize and understand the meaning of these 100 literary terms, as wll as being able to understand and provide examples. (92 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Atmosphere

A

The overall mood or feeling created by a work.
Ex. The eerie silence in the haunted house created a chilling atmosphere.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Allirtation

A

Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words
Ex. She sells sea shells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Allusion

A

A reference to a well-known person, event, or work of art/literature.
Ex. To my dog, our neighborhood park is the Garden of Eden.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Ambiguity

A

A statement or situation that has multiple meanings or is unclear.
Ex. I saw her duck (could be referring to the animal or the action)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Analogy

A

A comparison between two things to explain an idea.
Ex. Life is like a mountain. Hard to climb, but the view at the top is worth it. (longer and more elaborate than a simile)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Anachronism

A

Something placed in the wrong historical time period.
Ex. In Julius Caesar, Brutus is reading a book with a spine and pages that would not be invented for centuries.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Anaphora

A

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.
I have a dream… I have a dream… I have a dream… (MLKjr)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Anecdote

A

A short, personal story used to illustrate a point.
A teacher telling a short personal story about a past student to make a point

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Antagonist/Protagonist

A

– The main opposing force (antagonist) vs. the main character (protagonist).
Captain Hook and Peter Pan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Antithesis

A

A contrast between two ideas in a parallel structure
Ex. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Archetype

A

A typical example of a character, theme, or setting
Ex. The “hero” archetype

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Argument

A

A statement or reason used to support a claim.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Audiance

A

The intended readers or viewers of a work.
Ex. A children’s book is written for young readers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Catasreophe

A

The final tragic event in a dramatic work, often in a tragedy.
Ex. Romeo and Juliet’s deaths at the end of the play.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Bias

A

A prejudice or inclination toward one side of an issue.
Ex. A news article that only presents one side of a political debate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Balance

A

Balance – The equal distribution of elements in a sentence or work.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Cause and Effect

A

A relationship where one event (cause) leads to another (effect).
Not studying (cause) leads to failing a test (effect).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Charcter

A

A person, animal, or figure in a story.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Colloquialism

A

Informal, everyday language or slang.
Ex. Gonna instead of going to

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Characterization

A

The methods an author uses to develop a character’s traits.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Concession

A

Acknowledging the opposing argument before refuting it.
Ex. While some argue that video games are harmful, they also help develop problem-solving skills

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Comedy

A

A literary genre that is humorous and often has a happy ending.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Comparison

A

Examining similarities between two or more things.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Conflict

A

A struggle between opposing forces (internal or external).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Consequences
The results of a character’s actions.
22
Crisis
A moment of high tension or turning point in a story.
23
Contrast
Highlighting differences between two or more things.
23
Connotation/Denotation
Connotation: the subjective interpretation of a word; Denotation: the dictionary definition. Denotation: Fly = to take flight | Connotation: Fly = stylish
24
Dialogue
Spoken exchanges between characters.
25
Diction
A writer’s choice of words.
26
Euphemism
A mild or indirect way of saying something harsh Ex. "passed away" instead of "died"
27
Episode/Incident
A specific event or moment in a story.
28
Exaggeration
Overstating something for emphasis. Ex. I’ve told you a million times
28
Description
Detailed description of something Ex. The house was large, with white shutters and a sprawling porch.
29
Narration
The act of telling a story.
29
Figurative language
Non-literal language, including metaphors, similes, and personification.
30
Fate/Destiny
The idea that events are predetermined.
31
Gerealization
A broad statement that applies to many cases. Ex. All teenagers are addicted to social media.
31
Flashback
A scene that takes place before the main story.
32
Foreshadow
Hints about what will happen later in a story.
32
Hero/Tragic flaw
Hero: the main good character; Tragic Hero: a noble character with a fatal flaw.
32
Hubris
Excessive pride that leads to a character’s downfall. Ex. Macbeth’s overconfidence leads to his downfall.
32
Hypophora
A rhetorical device where a question is asked and then immediately answered. Ex. Why should we care about climate change? Because it affects all of us.
33
Hyperbole
Extreme exaggeration. Ex. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse
34
Illustration
Examples used to explain a concept.
35
Imagery
Descriptive language that appeals to the 5 senses. Ex. The crisp autumn leaves crunched underfoot
35
Inference/Implication
Inference: a conclusion based on evidence; Implication: a hint at something without stating it directly.
36
Irony
Verbal: saying the opposite of what is meant; Dramatic: audience knows something characters don’t; Situational: opposite of what is expected happens.
36
Innuendo
An indirect or subtle (often negative) suggestion.
37
Jargon
Specialized language used by a specific group, which is difficult for outsiders to understand.
38
Juxtaposition
Placing two contrasting elements side by side for effect. Ex. A rich man and a homeless man in the same scene.
38
Mood
The emotional atmosphere of a work. (result of atmosphere created_ Ex. A horror story has a dark, suspenseful mood.
39
Metaphor
A direct comparison without using "like" or "as." Ex. Time is a thief.
39
Logical Fallacy
A flaw in reasoning.
39
Malapropism
Misusing a word in place of a similar-sounding one. Ex. Texas has a lot of electrical votes. (Instead of “electoral votes”)
40
Motif
A recurring symbol, theme, or idea in a work. Ex. Repeated references to light vs. dark in Romeo and Juliet
41
Narrator
The person or voice telling the story.
41
Narritive/narritive voice
The perspective from which a story is told.
41
Objective/Subjective
Objective: fact-based; Subjective: opinion-based.
42
Parody
A humorous imitation of a serious work
43
Onomtapoeia
Words that imitate sounds
44
Oxymoron
A phrase combining contradictory terms Ex. deafening silence
44
Paradox
A statement that seems contradictory but reveals truth. Ex. The only constant is change.
45
Paraelle structure
Repeating grammatical structures in sentences. Ex. Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle
46
paraphrase
Restating something in different words.
47
Pathetic Fallacy
Giving human emotions to nature or objects. Ex. The clouds seem sullen
48
Pathos
An appeal to emotion.
48
Personifacation
Giving human qualities to non-human things. Ex. The wind whispered through the trees.
48
Persona
The personality or voice adopted by a writer. Ex. A poet writing from the perspective of a soldier.
49
Prose
Regular written or spoken language, not poetry.
50
Quotation
Directly citing someone’s words
51
Reference to Authority/Pop culture
Using an expert’s opinion or a pop culture reference to support an idea. Ex. Authority: Citing a scientist in an argument about climate change. Ex. Pop culture: Referring to a movie scene
52
Rhertoic
The art of persuasive writing or speaking.
53
Rhetorical Devices
Techniques used in rhetoric to persuade or emphasize.
54
Sarcasm
Mocking or ironic language meant to insult or amuse. Ex. Oh great, another test!
55
Satire
Using humor or irony to criticize society. Ex. Cartoons mocking politicians
55
Symbol/symbolism
An object or action that represents a deeper meaning. Ex. A dove symbolizes peace
55
Style
The author's distinct way of writing.
55
Simile
A comparison using "like" or "as." Ex. Brave as a lion.
55
Setting
The time and place of a story.
55
Strucure of work
How a piece of writing is organized.
56
Supporting Evidence
Facts or details used to back up a claim.
56
Syntax
Sentence structure.
56
Technique
A method used by an author to achieve an effect.
56
Theme/Central theme
The main idea or underlying message. Ex. The theme of 1984 is the dangers of totalitarianism
57
Tone
The author's attitude toward the subject. Ex. A sarcastic tone in a satire
57
Thesis
implied: suggested but not directly stated; Stated: explicitly written out.
57
Tradgedy/Classical Tradgedy
A dramatic work with a sad or disastrous ending. Ex. Romeo and Juliet
58
Tragic Consequences
Negative outcomes resulting from a character’s actions. Ex. Romeo and Juliet’s deaths.
59
Tragic Flaw/Hamartia
A character trait that leads to downfall. Ex. Macbeth’s ambition leads to his downfall.
60
Understatement
Downplaying something for effect.
61
Voice
The writer’s unique style and personality in writing.

ENG4U Literary Terms (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions