Literary Terminology Flashcards
(48 cards)
Allegory
A literary work in which characters, objects, or actions represent abstractions
Ad hominen
An argument attacking an individual’s character rather than his or her position on an issue.
Alliteration
The reptition of initial sounds in successive or neighboring words
Allusion
A reference to something literary, mythological, or historical
Analogy
A comparison between two different things which are similar in some way
Anaphora
The repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines or sentences
Anecdote
A brief personal narrative which focuses on a particular incident or event
Antithesis
A statement in which two opposing ideas are balanced
Aphorism
A concise statement that expresses a general truth or idea, often using rhyme or balance
Apostrophe
The act of speaking directly to an absent or imaginary person, or to some abstractions
Chiasmis
A statement consisting of two parts in which the second part is structurally reversed
Colloquialism
Informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing
Conceit
A fanciful, particularly clever extended metaphor
Connotation
The implied or associative meaning of a word
Denotation
The literal meaning of a word
Diction
Having to do with the word choices made by a writer
Didactic
Something which has as its primary purpose to teach or instruct
Ellipsis
Omission of a word or phrase which is grammatically necessary but can be deduced from context
Epiphany
A momenr of sudden revelation or insight
Euphemism
An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant
Genre
A major category or type of literature
Hyperbole
Intentional exaggeration to create an effect
Imagery
A concrete sensory details which contribute to the themes or ideas of a work
Invective
An intensely vehement, highly emotional verbal attack
