Final Exam Literary Devices : Definitions

Question 1

Device using characters and story elements symbolically to abstract addition to the meaning. Usually deals with moral truth or generalization of humanity (interpreting media to reveal hidden meanings).

Answer 1

Allegory

Question 2

When exact repetition of words or phrases are used in the beginning of a succession of lines or sentences (parallelism sub-type).

Answer 2

Anaphora

Question 3

Repetition of sounds, specifically initial consonant sounds in words close to each other (can reinforce meaning, echo the passage, unify ideas, or supply theatrical sound).

Answer 3

Alliteration

Question 4

Visual symbolism, evoking mental pictures or other kinds of sense impressions.

Answer 4

Imagery

Question 5

Hints or clues that suggest events yet to occur (can develop or undermine the audiences expectations about upcoming events).

Answer 5

Foreshadowing

Question 6

Use of words to suggest a different association than its literal meaning (can be positive, negative, or neutral).

Answer 6

Connotation

Question 7

Prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work (similar to tone and atmosphere).

Answer 7

Mood

Question 8

Persuade or subtly influence the audience; it’s asked for effect, not an answer.

Answer 8

Rhetorical Question

Question 9

Informal, commonplace language specific to demographic or time period (conveys authenticity).

Answer 9

Colloquialism

Question 10

A word, clause, or phrase referred to by a pronoun.

Answer 10

Antecedent

Question 11

A character that provides a sharp contrast to other characters in the same work (better highlights or differentiates certain qualities of the character).

Answer 11

Foil

Question 12

An attack or insult to a person or thing through use of abusive language and tone.

Answer 12

Invective

Question 13

Multiple meanings of words, phrases, passages, or sentences (can be intentional or not), + something with multiple interpretations.

Answer 13

Ambiguity

Question 14

Using strong feelings to engage the reader (relieving a strong emotion by expressing it).

Answer 14

Catharsis

Question 15

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for unpleasant words/concepts (used to adhere to the standard of socio-political correctness).

Answer 15

Euphemism

Question 16

Rural or natural setting, focuses on connection between nation and humanity in rural areas.

Answer 16

Pastoral

Question 17

A group of words working together, containing both a subject and verb (can be dependent or independent).

Answer 17

Clause

Question 18

Natural sound imitation through the sound of words.

Answer 18

Onomatopoeia

Question 19

Art of using languages well, using spoken and written language or discourse to influence others (often through compositional devices).

Answer 19

Rhetoric

Question 20

A writers unique style of expression, especially their choice and arrangements of words (also their vocab, use of language for tone and atmosphere, and ability to communicate).

Answer 20

Diction

Question 21

Expresses the attitude of the author’s to feelings of subject matter or audience.

Answer 21

Tone

Question 22

Central subject/message in narration.

Answer 22

Theme

Question 23

Greek word referring to the character of personal groups (their credibility and moral values, appealing to readers ethics).

Answer 23

Ethos

Question 24

To appeal to the sense of logic or reason of the audiences to connect ideas and include the use of facts and statistics.

Answer 24

Logos

Question 25

A figure of speech using exaggeration or overstatement - Greek for "overshoot".

Answer 25

Hyperbole

Question 26

Closely imitating the style or content of another with specific comedic effect (exploits peculiarities of expression).

Answer 26

Parody

Question 27

Dramatic or distorted representation of a person, exaggerating some aspects and simplifying others (usually to highlight their distinguishing personality or physical features).

Answer 27

Caricature

Question 28

The name of an object or concept is replaced with a word closely related to or suggested by the original.

Answer 28

Metonymy

Question 29

Major claim or point made by the author to introduce a main argument/point.

Answer 29

Thesis

Question 30

A statement appearing to be self contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection, it holds some degree of truth/validity,

Answer 30

Paradox

Question 31

A major category into which a literary work fits, within those exist many subdivisions.

Answer 31

Genre

Question 32

A section of a composition/speech that marks a temporary shift of subject (allows authors to delve into topics not considered beforehand).

Answer 32

Digression (AKA Deviations/Tangents)

Question 33

Blend of unharmonic sounds, used to emphasize disorder/violence.

Answer 33

Cacophony

Question 34

"Point fully foolish" in Greek, the author groups contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

Answer 34

Oxymoron

Question 35

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of them.

Answer 35

Narrative

Question 36

A distinctive feature (image or roles) that occurs throughout the work that is in and of itself, but could also have a symbolic meaning.

Answer 36

Motif

Question 37

Object, person, situations, or actions that have literal meaning in a story but suggest or represents others.

Answer 37

Symbol

Question 38

Referencing something commonly known directly OR indirectly (can be historic, mythical, religious, literary, or form all kinds of media).

Answer 38

Allusion

Question 39

Implicitly comparing two unrelated things, typically by stating one thing is another.

Answer 39

Metaphor

Question 40

A story designed to suggest a principle, illustrate a moral, or answer a question.

Answer 40

Parable

Question 41

Evoked a certain response, feeling, or connection in the audience.

Answer 41

Pathos

Question 42

A situation when there's contrast between reality and expectations (meaning is the opposite of what is stated).

Answer 42

Irony

Question 43

Contrast/opposition of ideas expressed in grammatically balanced sentences (parallelism of words that are opposite).

Answer 43

Antithesis

Question 44

Directly addressing absent/imaginary persons or a personified abstraction.

Answer 44

Apostrophe

Question 45

Abrupt statement of known authorship expressing general truth and/or moral principle (used as summation of point).

Answer 45

Aphorism

Question 46

Comparison of two things using like or as.

Answer 46

Simile

Question 47

Where (location) and when (time frame) the narrative takes place.

Answer 47

Setting

Question 48

Exaggeration, ridicule, or criticism of an aspect in society and inflating it to absurdity (social commentary).

Answer 48

Satire

Question 49

The perspective of the character or narrator telling a story (what they can see, hear, etc.).

Answer 49

Point of View (POV)

Question 50

Conveying abstract ideas by giving inanimate/non human objects and animals human characteristics (actions, behaviors, emotions).

Answer 50

Personification