Literacy terms

Question 1

the repetition of similar vowel sounds followed by different consonant sounds especially in words that are together.

Answer 1

Assonance

Question 2

repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together.

Answer 2

Alliteration

Question 3

a figure of speech that makes an explicit comparison between two unlike things, using words such as like, as , than, or resembles.

Answer 3

Simile

Question 4

a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without the use of such specific words of comparison as like, as, than, or resembles.

Answer 4

Metaphor

Question 5

a statement that appears self-contradictory, but that reveals a kind of truth.

Answer 5

Paradox

Question 6

a discrepancy between appearances and reality

Answer 6

Irony

Question 7

takes place when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen, or what would be appropriate to happen, and what really does happen.

Answer 7

situational irony

Question 8

it is often used on stage. A character in the play or story thinks one thing is true, but the audience or reader knows better.

Answer 8

Dramatic irony

Question 9

occurs when someone says one thing but really means something else.

Answer 9

Verbal Irony

Question 10

the use of words whose sounds echo their sense. “Pop.” “Zap.”

Answer 10

Onomatopoeia

Question 11

the author reveals to the reader what the character is like by describing how the character looks and dresses, by letting the reader hear what the character says, by revealing the character’s private thoughts and feelings, by revealing the effect of the character on other people (showing how other characters feel or behave toward the character), or by showing the character in action. Common in modern literature.

Answer 11

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

Question 12

the author tells us directly what the character is like: sneaky, generous, mean to pets and so on. Romantic style literature relied more heavily on this form.

Answer 12

DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

Question 13

a speaker or writer’s choice of words.

Answer 13

Diction

Question 14

An atmosphere created by a writer’s diction and the details selected

Answer 14

MOOD

Question 15

the attitude a writer takes toward the subject of work, the characters in it, or the audience, revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization

Answer 15

TONE

Question 16

the distinctive way in which a writer uses language: a writer’s distinctive use of diction, tone, and syntax.

Answer 16

Style

Question 17

the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

Answer 17

Syntax

Question 18

the insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work

Answer 18

Theme:

Question 19

story or poem in which characters, settings, and events stand for other people or events or for abstract ideas or qualities. EXAMPLE: Animal Farm; Dante’s Inferno; Lord of the Flies

Answer 19

Allegory:

Question 20

a type of writing that ridicules the shortcomings of people or institutions in an attempt to bring about a change.

Answer 20

Satire

Question 21

a relatively short story that teaches a moral, or lesson about how to lead a good life.

Answer 21

Parable

Question 22

A character who acts as contrast to another character. Often a funny side kick to the dashing hero, or a villain contrasting the hero.

Answer 22

Foil character

Question 23

is one who does not change much in the course of a story.

Answer 23

STATIC CHARACTER

Question 24

is one who changes in some important way as a result of the story’s action.

Answer 24

DYNAMIC CHARACTER

Question 25

the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot.

Answer 25

Foreshadowing

Question 26

a work that makes fun of another work by imitating some aspect of the writer’s style

Answer 26

Parody:

Question 27

a reference to someone or something that is known from history, literature, religion, politics, sports, science, or another branch of culture. An indirect reference to something (usually from literature, etc.).

Answer 27

Allusion:

Question 28

the struggle between opposing forces or characters in a story.

Answer 28

Conflict

Question 29

, involving opposing forces within a person’s mind.

Answer 29

Internal conflict

Question 30

conflicts can exist between two people, between a person and nature or a machine or between a person a whole society.

Answer 30

EXTERNAL CONFLICT

Question 31

calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person, or to a place or thing, or a personified abstract idea. If the character is asking a god or goddess for inspiration it is called an invocation. Josiah Holland —“Loacöon! Thou great embodiment/ Of human life and human history!”

Answer 31

Apostrophe

Question 32

a figure of speech in which a person, place, or thing, is referred to by something closely associated with it. “We requested from the crown support for our petition.” The crown is used to represent the monarch.

Answer 32

Metonymy