Glossary Flashcards
(95 cards)
Act
a major unit of action in a drama or play. Each action can be further divided into smaller sections called scenes
Allegory
a story in which people, things. and actions represent an idea about life; allegories often have a strong moral or lesson
alliteration
the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words (tongue twisters).
Allusion
a reference in a literary work to a person place of thing in history or another work of literature. Allusions are often indirect of brief references to well-known characters of events.
Analogy
a comparison of two or more like objects that suggests if they are alike in certain respects, they will probably be alike in other ways as well.
Anecdote
a brief account of an interesting incident or event that usually is intended to entertain or make a point.
Antagonist
see character.
Aside
an actor’s speech, directed to the audience, that is not supposed to be heard by other actors on stage. An aside is used to let the audience know what a character is about to do or what he/she is thinking
Assonance
repetition of vowel sounds within a line of poetry
Audience
the particular group of readers of viewers that the writer is addressing. A writer considers his or her audience when deciding on a subject, a purpose for writing, and the tone and style in which to write
Author
the writer of a book, article or other text
author’s purpose
an author’s purpose is his or her reason for creating a particular work. Purpose can be to entertain, explain or inform, express an opinion, or to persuade.
Autobiography
a form of nonfiction in which a person tells the story of his or her life
Ballad
a poem that tells a story and is meant to be sung or recited
Biography
the story of a person’s life that is written by someone else
Blank Verse
unrhymed iambic pentameter (see meter)
Caesura
a pause or a sudden break in a line of poetry
Cause and Effect
two events are related as cause and effect when one event brings about or causes the other. The event that happens first is the cause; the one that follows is the effect
character
a person who is responsible for the thoughts and actions within a story, poem, or other literature. Characters are extremely important because they are the medium through which a reader interacts with a piece of literature. Every character has his or her own personality, which a creative author uses to assist in forming the plot of a story or creating a mood.
Antagonist
a character in a story or poem who deceives, frustrated, or works against the main character, or protagonist, in some way. The antagonist doesn’t necessarily have to be a person. It could be death, the devil, an illness, or any challenge that prevents the main character from living “happily ever after”
Caricature
a picture or imitation of a person’s habits, physical appearance, or mannerisms exaggerated in a comic or absurd way
Foil
character that serves as a contrast or conflict to another character
Hero/ heroine
character whose actions are inspiring or noble; often the main character in a story
Minor Character
less important character who interacts with main characters, helping to move the plot along and providing background for the story; usually static and flat.
