Literary Terms Flashcards
(281 cards)
1
Q
How is active voice different from passive voice?
A
A direct statement where the subject performs the action rather than the subject being acted upon.
Example: I wrote this essay vs This essay was written by me.
2
Q
allegory
A
A narrative with literal and symbolic meaning. Characters, actions, or settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. AKA extended metaphor
Example: Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegory for Communist Russia
3
Q
alliteration
A
Repetition of similar sounds usually at the start of the word.
Example: Sit in solemn silence in a dull, dark, dock
4
Q
allusion
A
Brief indirect reference to a person, place, event, or literary work that is recognizable. Adds layer of meaning.
5
Q
ambiguity
A
Describes a literary work that may have many possible meanings when only one may be intended. Meanings may be contradictory and show division in the author’s mind.
6
Q
analogy
A
A comparison between things similar in a number of ways. Using the familiar to explain the familiar.
Example: The heart’s structure is like a pump.
7
Q
anecdotal evidence
A
Short narrative to support a claim
8
Q
antagonist
A
The main force or character that opposes the protagonist
9
Q
anti-climax
A
Sudden descent from the impressive to the trivial for ludicrous or humorous effect
10
Q
antithesis
A
Juxtaposition of contrasting or opposite ideals, often in parallel structure.
Example: “to err is human, to forgive is divine”
11
Q
apostrophe
A
Figure of speech in which an absent/dead person, an abstract quality, or something non-human is addressed directly
12
Q
archaic language
A
Language that is old-fashioned or obsolete
13
Q
aside
A
A speech directed to the audience (breaking the 4th wall) that is unheard by the other characters in the play
14
Q
assonance
A
Close repetition of similar vowel sounds.
Example: twinkle twinkle little star
15
Q
atmosphere
A
The prevailing feeling created by the story through descriptive diction, imagery, and dialogue
16
Q
audience
A
The people reading the literary work
17
Q
autobiography
A
Description of a life written by the person who has lived it and intends the public to read it
18
Q
ballad
A
A simple and short narrative poem originally meant to be sung
19
Q
ballad stanza
A
A common meter found in ballads: quatrain in iambic meter, alternating tetrameter and trimeter lines, usually rhyming abcb
20
Q
bias
A
A preference that makes it difficult to judge fairly
21
Q
blank verse
A
Unrhymed iambic pentameter (10 syllables alternating unstressed and stressed)
22
Q
cacophony
A
Jarring language that sounds bad
23
Q
caricature
A
A portrait that ridicules a person by exaggerating their most prominent features and characteristics
24
Q
case study
A
Detailed analysis of an individual or group
25
catastrophe
The final disaster of a tragedy
26
cause and effect
Strategy in argumentative essay: argue from an effect back to a cause or start with a cause and argue it will produce a particular effect
27
flat character
A character with only 1 or 2 qualities
28
round character
A developed character with multiple qualities
29
static character
A character that does not change through the story
30
dynamic character
A character that undergoes significant change
31
stereotyped character
A predictable one dimensional character
32
character foil
A character who contrasts another character (usually protagonists)
33
characterization and what it is influenced by (5)
The creation or description of a character in a work of fiction usually influenced by:
- description of features and traits by authors and other characters
- name
- narrative perspective (first person, omniscient)
- the actual actions of the character
- the ethos (world or setting the character is in)
34
chorus
A group of singers and dancers in Greek drama that appear at intervals within a play to comment on the action, or antagonists, or sing the praises of the gods. Usually expresses judgement of an objective bystander or best morality of the community.
35
chronological order
The order of events based on time.
36
cliche
An overused expression that was once clever but is now timeworn.
37
climatic order
Ideas arranged in the order of least to most important, a strategy common in composing an argument
38
climax
The point of greatest intensity in a narrative that usually marks a story's turning point.
39
coincidence
A happenstance that is usually exploited by comedies for humour (especially if highly improbable).
40
colloquialism
Informal expression characteristic of speech and acceptable in informal writing.
41
comedy
A literary work that ends happily with a healthy amicable armistice between the protagonist and society. Usually exposes human folly and depicts the overthrow of rigid social fashions and customs. Wit, humour, and sense of festivity are found in many comedies
42
comic relief
A comic element inserted into a tragic or somber work to relieve tension, widen a work's scope, and heighten by contrasting the tragic emotion.
43
compare and contrast
To look at multiple works and examine their similarities and differences. Used to illuminate important differences (possibly theme) and lead to a better understanding of the literature.
44
comparison
Consideration of separate things in light of similarities.
45
conflict (3 types)
The struggle between opposing characters or forces. Types:
- man vs man
- man vs environment
- man vs self
46
connotation
Emotions and associations with a word.
| Example: springtime; youth, new, beginning, fresh
47
consonance
The repition of similar consonant sound in the middle or the end of words.
Example: And all the air a solemn stillness holds (l sound)
48
contrast
Juxtaposition of different images, ideas, or both to clarify or heighten a scene, theme, or episode.
49
couplet
Two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme
50
denotation
The dictionary meaning of a word.
| Example: spring; the season between winter and summer
51
dénouement
The resolution of the plot that follows the climax. The falling action of the story. (pronounced like day-new-manh)
52
deus ex machina (should be italicized)
Means god out of the machine. Refers to the resolution of the plot by use of highly improbable chance or coincidence to rescue the protagonist from an improbable situation.
53
dialect
Language belonging to a particular time, place, or social group.
54
dialogue
Conversation between multiple people as opposed to monologue.
55
diary
Daily record of events and observations, especially personal ones.
56
diction
A writers choice of words, particularly for clarity, effectiveness, and precision. A wrtier's diction can be formal or informal, abstact or concrete, simple or oranate.
57
didactic
To describe a literary work with the primary aim is to expound some moral, political, or other teaching.
58
dilemma
A situation requiring a choice between two equally balanced alternatives that are both equally unfavorable.
59
direct presentation
Author or character tells the reader straight out what a character is like.
Example: Robert is a hot-headed boss who runs his business with an iron grip.
60
dissonance
A harsh disagreeable combination of sounds. AKA as cacophony.
Example: Gas! Gas! Quick boys! - An ecstacy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
- creates the effect of confusion and anxious haste during a WWI gas attack
61
drama
Form of fiction that is acted infront of an audience. Is collaborative, communal, and immediate
62
dramatic form
The structure of telling a story
| Example: a tragedy's dramatic form is exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, catastrophe
63
dramatic monologue
A narrative poem where one character speaks to an audience that gives no replies in the poem. Used in crucial occasions and reveals speaker's personality while also explaining incident that is subject of the poem.
64
editorial
Newspaper or magazine commentary on an issue of public concern that carries the opinion of the staff and editor.
65
elegy
A lyric poem that is formal in language in structure. usually solemn or melancholy in tone. Used to mourn a death or lament over life and death
66
emotional appeal
Persuasion that stirs an audience's emotions in hopes of moving people to action. Writer may tap into humour, anger, sadness, righteousness, patriotism, etc.
67
epic
Long narrative poem that tells about the deeds of a great hero and reflects on the society that it originated.
68
epigram
Short, witty, pointed statement often in the form of a poem.
Example: "Tis education forms the common mind,
Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined"
69
epiphany
A moment of significant realization and insight experienced by the protagonist.
70
epitaph
An inscription or gravestone or monument that memorializes a person or persons buried there.
71
escape fiction
Stories written primarily to entertain, thus helping the reader escape daily concerns and problems of reality.
72
argumentative essay
Essay that attemps to lead the reader to share the writer's belief, especially through the use of logic, using such devices as inductive or deductive reasoning, facts, statistics, and so on.
73
descriptive essay
An essay most noteworthy of its rendition in words (especially of observations of the human or natural environment), use of imagery, and sense impressions (feel, smell, etc). The objective is to immerse the reader
74
expository essay
An essay that explains something usually using strategies like cause and effect, compare and contrast, logic, etc,
75
formal essay
An essay dealing seriously with a subject characterized by careful organization, formal diction, and formal sentence structure. Many essays on literature are formal, keeping the focus on the literature discussed rather than the writer's personal response.
76
informal/personal essay
An essay that is brief and written conversationally, sometimes with a personal/ humorous style. May be written in first person POV
77
narrative essay
An essay that tells a story to illustrate a point, persuade, entertain, reinforce a thesis, etc.
78
persuasive essay
An essay that tries to convince but takes appeals to emotions mostly.
79
euphemism
Using a mild or pleasant expression to replace a bad one.
| Example: correctional facility vs jail
80
euphony
Melodious sounds, as opposed to cacophony. Smooth meter, sentence rhythm and and word choice create this.
81
expert testiomny
A qualified person's official/ formal statement. Generally used in an argumentative/ persuasive essay to give expertise in a subject.
82
exposition
Explaining an idea or developing a thought. An important approach to essay writing to explain events to understand the plot.
83
fable
A brief story with a moral or lesson. Characters are usually animals who speak and act like humans.
84
falling action
Follows the climax and shows a reversal of fortune for the protagonist. In tragedy, this leads to disaster. In comedy, it leads to a happy ending.
85
fantasy
Type of story which transcends the bounds of known reality. Story may introduce the supernatural or bend the laws of nature.
86
farce
A wildly comic play that mocks dramatic and social conventions. Farces features a lot of exaggerations and absurd and improbable events.
87
figurative language
Language that is not meant to be interpreted in a literal sense. Includes metaphor, simile, hyperbole, etc
88
flashback
Switch in the plot from the present to the past to illustrate a point or aid in characterization.
89
foreshadowing
Device that hints at events that will happen later in the story.
90
form
Refers to the shape and structure and the manner of which a literary work is made. Work made be made in the form of verse or prose, etc. Form kind may be sonnet, short story, essay, etc.
91
formal language
Refers to a serious and carefully organized level of language. There are no colloquialisms, contractions, or incomplete sentences.
92
free verse
Verse that lacks regular meter and line length and relies on natural speech rhythms.
93
genre
Loosely applies to the larger forms of literary convention. Similar to species in biology
Examples: tragedy, comedy, drama, satire
94
graphic text
Work told through pictures. Reading the visual text of the work is as important as the written text. Uses drawings, paintings, photographs, and or etchings , etc
95
hero/heroine
A person with superhuman powers (possibly a demigod) in classic mythology. In more modern day, can also be a brave leader or person with great moral/physical strength.
96
historical reference
Any reference to an actual event from the past
97
humour
Designed to induce laughter or amusement. Can also refer to the ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is comical or funny
98
hyperbole
Exaggeration for emphasis or to make a point
99
iambic pentameter
Most common verse line in English poetry. Each poetic line consists of five verse feet with each foot containing an unstressed and stressed syllable. Each line would have ten syllables
100
idiom
Expression peculiar to language, not literally translatable. Idioms in English could be: "It's raining cats and dogs" or "My nose is running"
101
image/imagery
Images of a literary work. Single image is a concrete picture, either literally descriptive ("Red roses covered the white wall) or figurative ("She is a rose"), that carries sensual and emotive connotation. Images are representative to things accessible to five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell.
102
indeterminate ending
Plot term for ending where no definitive conclusion is reached. Story does not simply stop, but conclusion is not resolved conflict or tidy finish. Story may be effective without resolution to force reader to ponder possibilities.
103
indirect presentation
Author shows us characters in action; we infer what they are like from what they think/say/do. Effective way of dramatizing character as reader is more likely to determine character traits from behaviour and action. (Showing, not telling!)
104
informal lagnuage
Level of language is usually less serious in tone and purpose than formal expression. May have colloquialism (word or phrase that is not formal or literary), jargon, slang, contractions, conversational tone, etc.
105
interior monologue
Fictional presentation of unspoken thoughts as though delivered in monologue typically characterized by STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS content and technique.
106
internal conflict
Conflict arising from within character's consciousness: moral conscience, dilemma, desire to conform, peer pressure, opposition of ideas, fear, etc.
107
internal rhyme
Rhyme within a line rather than at the beginning (initial rhyme) and end (end rhyme).
108
interpretive fiction
Literature has meaningful, usually realistic plots, conflicts, settings and characters. May be serious or comedic. Written to broaden, deepen, and sharpen awareness of life, illuminates human condition, and brings reader closer to understanding us and our world.
109
irony
a literary device where what appears, on the surface, to be the case, differs radically from what is actually the case
110
verbal irony
Discrepancy between what is said and what is meant, saying "What a beautiful day it is!" when it is pouring rain. Speaker and listeners must all get irony intended.
111
situational irony
What finally takes place is different from what is expected or seems appropriate. Contrast generates meaning and power.
112
dramatic irony
When what a character says or thinks contrasts with what reader (and possible other characters in story) knows to be true. At least one character must be ignorant of irony.
113
jargon (2 meanings)
1. Language peculiar to a trade or calling. Kind of useful for communication among those within a group, but remains mysterious to outsiders. (Ex. Language specific to plumbers)
2. Confused or confusing language, jargon communicates to nobody
114
juxtaposition
Device of placing side by side, without comment, elements that normally aren't associated. May be words, images, ideas, events, or quotations. Those juxtaposed elements are intended to be united by reader's imagination.
115
legend
Folk story concerning historical or reputedly historical figures with less supernatural and more authenticity than myth.
116
literal language
Precise, plain meaning of word or phrase in simplest, original sense, considered apart from figurative sense. Opposed to figurative language.
117
lyric
- can describe songs
- loosely describes poems different from narrative or dramatic verse
- fairly short, no longer than 50-60 lines
- expresses feelings and thoughts of a single speaker (not necessarily the poet) in a personal and subjective fashion.
118
melodrama
Drama with stereotyped characters, exaggerated emotions, and conflict that pits on all-good hero against all-evil villain. Good characters always win and evils ones punished.
119
metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another.
120
plain/explicit metaphor examples
"He was a peacock", "John is a dead duck"
121
implied metaphor examples
"He swelled and displayed his finery", "He swelled and ruffled his plumage"
122
extended metaphor
metaphor that extends throughout poem/literary work.
123
dead metaphor
metaphor that becomes so commonplace it seems literal rather than figurative: "a jacket", for paper around a book, with no mental image of the human coat that prompted original metaphor. Other examples: "the foot of the mill", "working like a dog", "run of the mill". Most cliches are dead metaphors.
124
mixed metaphor
Using 2 or more inconsistent metaphors in one expression. Usually a fault with writing, but occasionally can be effective.
125
meter/metre
Term refers to pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in verse, unit of pattern is foot, containing one stressed syllable and 1 - 2 unstressed syllables. One meter - iambic - has dominated English poetry, but others occur as well.
126
types of meter
```
Iambic: U I
Anapestic: U U I
Trochaic: I U
Dactylic: I U U
Spondaic: I I
```
127
types of verse names from amount of feet
```
1 foot: monometer
2 feet: dimeter
3 feet: trimeter
4 feet: tetrameter
5 feet: pentameter
6 feet: hexameter
7 feet: heptameter (rare)
```
128
metonymy
substitution of some suggestive words for what is actually meant. It's like metaphor by association.
Examples: Crown for government, the stage for theatrical profession, and in a famous quote "the pen is mightier than the sword"
129
monologue (and four types)
An extended speech by one person with or without an audience. There are four types:
- monodrama (play with one character)
- soliloquy (speaking thoughts aloud to self)
- solo address to an audience in a play
- dramatic monologue
130
mood
The intangible feeling or quality appealing to extra-sensory as well as sensory perception evoked through diction, description, irony, etc. Many associate mood with the tone or atmosphere of a literary work.
131
mystery
Work of fiction in which a crime or mysterious event presents evidence to the reader so they may have the opprotunity to solve the problem. The climax is the solving of the crime and the explanation is the dénouement.
132
myth and mythology
A story which is not necessarily true and may involve supernatural beings or events. Myths are often concerned with the creation of people and the world and how it has come to exist. Myths serve a purpose as stories to illustrate a society's religion, history, social class structure, and natural environment. Various myths may link together to form mythology, interconnected stories that illustrate a scoiety's major concerns in religion and history particularly.
133
narration
The act of telling a story.
134
narrative
A story!
135
narrator; how does the narrator define the POV?
The person telling a story. If the narrator is in the story, the POV is first person. If the narrator is not within the story the POV is third person.
136
objective
Refers to language, tone, or a person who is uninfluenced by emotion, surmise, or bias. Common for formal essays to be objective. The opposite is subjective.
137
octave/octet
The first unit in Italian sonnet. It consists of eight lines of iambic pentameter that rhymes like ABBAABBA.
138
ode
A complex and often lengthy lyric poem written in a formal and dignified way. Odes are often written to honour a person, season, event, etc
139
onomatopoeia
Use of words that sound like what they signify.
| Examples: buzz, crack, smack, whinny
140
oxymoron
The combination of contradictory ideas for effect.
| Examples: jumbo shrimp, a wise fool, dear enemy
141
paradox
A self-contradictory statement or circumstance that proves true when reflected on or examined in another light.
Example: Shakespeare - "When my love swears that she is made of truth/ I do believe her, though I know she lies"
Example: Wordsworth - "The child is father of the man."
142
parallelism
The arrangement of ideas in words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs that balances one element with another of equal importance. The repetition of sounds, meanings, and structures serve to order, emphasize, and point out relationships.
Example: "I am a simple citizen who wants to live in peace and be taxed out of existence or poisoned out of oxygen or sonically boomed out of my sanity and my home by all the things you do to help me, to defend me, to better provide me speed, electricity, national prestige, and freedom from bugs."
143
parody
The imitation, exaggeration, and distortion of prominent features of particular genres, writers, and styles to criticize it for its flaws for comic effect.
144
pastoral
A type of poem or literary work that deals in an idealized way with shepherds and rustic life.
145
pathos
The feeling of pity, sypathy, tenderness, compassion, or sorrow evoked by characters who are helpless and innocent, suffering through no fault of their own
and
an appeal to emotion. using a heartfelt plea or sob story etc to convince
146
personification
```
Treating abstractions, things, or animals as persons. These may be given human like qualities. Personification can be seen as a metaphor.
Example:
"Blow, blow, thou winter wind.
Thou art not so unkind.
As man's ingratitude.
Thy tooth is not so keen,
Because thou art not seen,
Although they breath be rude."
- Shakespeare
```
147
persuasive technique
Any technique used to convince an audience of a thesis. Logic, emotional appeal, expert testimony, compare and contrast, pro and con, and diction may be involved
148
plagiarism and how to avoid it
The act of taking the writings of another and passing them off as one's own. Taking the ideas of another is also plagiarism. Don't do it! To avoid this, cite quotations appropriately
149
plot
The sequence of events or incidents of which a story is composed of. These are presented in a signifcant order. Most follows the common structure of rising action, climax, and falling action. A story with a big plot has many events. Plot answers, "What happened?"
150
first person POV
First person POV tells the story directly from a participant. This can illuminate character psychology and motivation.
151
omniscient POV
Omniscient POV has a third person narrator with unlimited knowledge. They can give us the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters. They can tell us as much or as little as they please.
152
limited omniscient POV
Limited omniscient POV has a third person narrator with limited knowledge. They are limited to only giving the thoughts and feelings of one character.
153
objective POV
Objective POV has a third person narrator that is like a camera. They tell us what occurs factually but offers no interpretation.
154
pro and con argument
A persuasive writing strategy that explores all sides of an issue. Discusses the good and the bad.
155
prologue; what was in a Greek tragedy's prologue?
The opening section of a work that serves to introduce a moral point, theme, and/or action. In Greek tragedy, a prologue contained either a monologue or dialogue that was devoted to the exposition of a character.
156
propaganda
Information that spreads a particular idea or belief that is generally misleading or biased in nature. Propaganda tends to be religious, social, or political in nature.
157
protagonist
The main character of a story. They may be the hero but don't necessarily have to be.
158
proverb
A short concise saying that frequently embodies the wisdom of a group or nation.
Examples: "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
"When the cat's away, the mice will play."
"Snitches get stitches yo."
159
pun
Puns are words or phrases that suggest two or more meanings at the same time.
Example: "The ink, like our pig, keeps running out of the pen."
160
purpose
The main effect a literature work intended to achieve. Authors may wish to enlighten, entertain, persuade, inform, etc.
161
quatrain
A stanza of four lines, rhymed or unryhmed.
162
question and answer
A stylistic technique in a composition. Questions are an effective way of arousing interest or concern in a subject which can then be answered within the essay.
163
refrain
A word, phrase, line, or group of lines repeated regularly in a poem, usually at the end of each stanza. Refrains are often found in ballads and narrative poems to create a songlike rhythm, build suspense, or emphasize an idea.
164
repetition
Anything repeated
165
resolution
AKA dénouement. The falling action of the story.
166
rhetorical question
A question that does not expect an answer. The answer is usually self-evident. This is used for stylisticc effect and to rouse emotions.
Example: "Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, sense of affections, passions?... If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?"
- Shakespeare
167
rhyme
The repetition of sounds in two or more words or phrases that appear close to each other in a poem.
Example: river/shiver, song/long, leap/deep
168
rhyme scheme
The pattern of rhymes in a stanza or poem.
169
rhythm
The arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables in a pattern.
170
rising action
Rising action provides background information, introduces conflict, and builds suspense. It is followed by the climax.
171
sarcasm
A cutting personal remark that uses irony to mock or convey contempt.
172
satire
Literature that ridicules vices and follies. Satire uses humour to persuade the reader to see their point of view.
173
sestet
A six-line poem or stanza. Italian sonnets end in a sestet.
174
setting
The time and place of a poem.
175
simile
The explicit form of metaphor that compares two things. These comparisons must be between two unlike things. Uses: like, as, as if, than, resembles, etc
Example: He is LIKE a peacock. She swims AS IF she were a fish.
Not a simile: Susan is like her grandma.
176
slang
```
Special vocabulary of a class or group of people that is low standard when measured against formal, educated language.
Example: "His duds are always sweet!" vs "He dresses in a contemporary fashion."
```
177
soliloquy
A long speech in which a character, alone on stage, expresses their thoughts and feelings. This speech usually serves great importance in the play and gives the audience insights on the speaker and the events within the play.
178
sonnet; what are the two main types?
Fourteen line lyric poem usually written in iambic pentameter. Types: Petrarchan/Italian sonnet and Elizabethan/Shakespearean sonnet
179
Petrarchan/ Italian sonnet
Poem that consists of an octave (8 lines) and a sestet (6 lines). Rhyme scheme: abbaabbacdecde. The octave may raise a question or problem and the sestet answers or solves it. Sometimes the sestet may oppose what the octave asserts.
180
Elizabethan/ Shakespearean sonnet
Consists of 3 quatrains (4 line stanzas) and a concluding couplet with a rhyme scheme of abab cdcd efef gg.
181
Spenserian sonnet
Type of sonnet with a rhyme scheme ababbcbccdcdee.
182
speaker
The person who is understood to be speaking in a particular work.
183
stanza
A division of a poem consisting of a group of lines arranged as a group.
184
statistical evidence
Important writing strategy in argumentative and persuasive essays. Statistics can confirm a fact, add support, and add authority. However, be careful in using statistics to make unwarranted inferences made from a fact.
Example: A book on the best seller list for 12 months confirms that many people have bought it. However, this doesn't mean that you will love the book if you buy it!
185
stream of consciousness
The style of writing that attempts to imitate the natural flow of a character's thoughts, feelings, reflections, memories, and mental images as the character experiences them. Suggests the mind's similarity to a stream: continually flowing, swift or slow, varying in depth, accessible on the surface or on a deeper level, and carrying a mix of natural and foreign objects picked up along the journey.
186
style
The way an author writes
187
stylistic technique
Refers to aspects of a writer's method of expression. Involves diction, sentence type and length, description, dialogue, archaic language, connotations, figurative language, etc
188
subjective
With regard to language and tone, an adjective that refers to personal or emotional expression instead of objective impersonal expression. Subjective writing refers to a writer that is concerned with personal experience and feeling - as in autobiography, or an autobiographical novel.
189
surprise ending
Twist at the end of the story in a sudden/ unexpected turn of fortune or action.
190
suspense
A state of uncertainty, anticipation, or curiosity concerning the outcome of a plot or the resolution of a conflict.
191
symbol
Something that stands for something else. In literature, symbols usually do not have a publically accepted meaning but rather they take on meaning from the total context in which they appear. Whole stories may be symbols.
192
natural symbols
Symbols that present things not for themselves, but for the ideas people commonly associate with them.
Examples: stars for hope, stormclouds for despair, night for death, sunrise for a new beginning
193
conventional symbols
Symbols that present things for the meanings people within a certain group have agreed upon.
Example: national flag for home or patriotism, cross or star of David for religion
194
literary symbols
Symbols that build upon natural or conventional symbols, adding meaning appropriataely fitting within the work and also sometimes creating meanings with in a work.
195
synecdoche
The understanding of one thing by another. A metaphor where one part stands for the whole.
Example: "give us this day our daily bread"
bread stands for food
Example: silver for money or change
Example: steel for sword
196
theme
The central idea of a story that is implied rather than directly stated. It is the story's observation about life or human nature. Ask yourself, what does the story reveal? NOT, what does the story teach?
197
thesis
The central idea of an essay.
Examples: The media is the single biggest instigator of eating disorders in Canada. Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's dream both examine that folly of love.
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thesis statement
A sentence that expresses an essay's main point. It is specific, to the point, but not too obvious.
Example: The English teacher is responsible for the two most important skills we possess as adults: reading and writing" vs "English teachers are important."
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third person narrative; what are the two types?
Uses "she", "it", and "they" instead of "I", "we", "you" in a story. Two common types of third persons are omniscient or limited omniscient.
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tone
The attitude a writer takes toward their subject, characters, or audience.
Examples: serious, playful, ironic, formal, somber, friendly, pompous, intimate
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tragedy
A literary work where the protagonist meets an uphappy or disastrous end. The protagonist is usually a hero but that doesn't mean they may not be flawed. Fate, flaws, or errors in judgement may lead to their downfall. A tragic hero usually gains wisdom or self-awareness from this defeat.
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understatement
Minimizing something in order to emphasize it. Can be seen as ironic when describing something of a big deal as "not bad" or "OK".
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universality
The quality of a story that gives it relevance beyond the narrow confines of its characters, subject, or setting. Stories have universality when they reveal human nature or common truths of life experience.
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verisimilitude
Life-like quality possed by a story as revealed through its plot, setting, conflict, and characterization. Taken together, a true-to-life impression is created for the reader.
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voice
Describes a person's writing. Voice incorporates diction, imagery, vigor, tone, irony, and the audience's perception of the writer's purpose.
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volta
Turn of thought occuring after the octave of an Italian sonnet. Applies to other places where a turn of thought occurs, sometimes after the first two quatrains of a Shakespearean sonnet.
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wit
Biting or insightful humour that is often cynical or insulting which provides it with its known sharpness.
Consists of: sharp comebacks, clever batner, dry ojkes, and one liners
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assess (when used in an essay question)
Estimate the value of something based on some criteria; present an inform judgement.
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compare (when used in an essay question)
Describe how some elements or qualities of one event, issue, or character are similar to those of another. Often used in conjunction with contrast
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contrast (when used in an essay question)
Describe how the elements or qualities of one event, issue, or character, are different from those of another.
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describe (when used in an essay question)
Give a detailed or graphic account of an object, event, or concept.
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discuss (when used in an essay question)
Present the various points of view in a debate or argument. Engage in written discourse on a particular topic, process, or concept.
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evaluate (when used in an essay question)
Use criteria or standards to make judgements about the strengths and weaknesses of a position on a particular issue.
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explain (when used in an essay question)
Give an account of a topic, process, or concept, providing evidence and reasons.
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To what extent (when used in an essay question)
Advance arguments in favour of a position or point of view and respond to or take into account arguments opposed to that positon or point of view.
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anachronism
A thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned.
Use in a sentence: "everything was as it would have appeared in centuries past apart from one anachronism, a bright yellow construction crane"
example: Mona Lisa holding an electric guitar.
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anaphora
Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This device is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer's point more coherent.
218
angst
A term used in existential criticism to describe both the individual and the collective anxiety-neurosis of the period following the Second World War. This feeling of anxiety, dread, or anguish is notably present in the works of writers like Jean Paul Sartre and Albert Camus.
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archetype
A statement, pattern of behaviour, or prototype which other statements, patterns of behaviour, and objects copy or emulate.
Examples: Lover, hero, caregiver, outlaw, etc (google!)
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asyndeton
A series of words separated by commas. The parts of the sentence are thus emphasized equally. The use of commas with no intervening conjunction also speeds up the flow of the sentence.
Example: I came, I saw, I conquered.
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balance
Construction in which both halves of the sentence are about the same length and importance, sometimes used to emphasize contrast.
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catharsis
The process by which an unhealthy emotional state produced by an imbalance of feelings is corrected and emotional health is restored.
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chiasmus
Arrangements of repeated thoughts in the pattern of XYYX.
| Example: Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.
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Comedy of Manners
Type of literature that deals with relations and intrigues of gentlemen and ladies living in polished and sophisticated society. There is humour in the violation of social convections. This type of literature relies on wit and humour in dialogue for its effect.
Example: The Importance of Being Earnest
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conceit
Unusual or surprising comparison between two very different things.
226
digression
A temporary departure from the main subject in speaking or writing.
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elliptical
Sentence structure which leaves out something in the second half. Usually there is a subject verb object combination in the first half and in the second half the verb will be omitted.
Example: May was hot and June the same
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ennui
A persistent feeling of tiredness or weariness which often afflicts existential man, often manifesting as boredom.
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epigraph
A quotation or aphorism at the beginning of a literary work suggestive of a theme.
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hubris
Overwhelming pride or insolence that results in the misfortune of the protagonist of a tragedy.
231
Litotes
Opposite of hyperbole. Intensification of an idea by using an understatement.
Example: It wasn't my best day.
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motif
A frequently recurrent character, incident, or concept in literature.
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parable
A short story from which a lesson may be drawn.
234
peripety
The reversal in a hero's fortune.
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Red herring
The use of an irrelevant issue to draw attention away from the real issue.
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rhetoric
The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
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Stream of Consciousness
The technique of writing that undertakes to reproduce the raw flow of consciousness, with the perceptions, thoughts, judgements, feelings, associations, and memories presented just as they occur without being tidied into grammatical sentences or given logical and narrative order.
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syntax
In grammar, the arrangements of words as elements in a sentence to show their relationship.
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zeugma
The literary term for using one word to modify two or more other words, in two or more different ways.
Example: "She broke his car and his heart.” "She ran out of time and towards her doom." "The farmers grew potatoes, beets, and bored."
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cynicism
an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism.
241
derisive
expressing contempt or ridicule; mocking
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enjambment
the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza
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aphorism
a concise statement or observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain't broke, don't fix it.”.
244
Asceticism/ ascetic (adjective)
a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from all forms of indulgence in favour of self-discipline for spiritual goals
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hedonist
someone who actively seeks pleasure
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petulance
the quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered
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bathos
An abrupt transition from a lofty style or grand topic to a common or vulgar one. Associated with anticlimax
248
ad hominem
An argument made that is directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining.
249
reductio ad absurdum
An argument method that proves something false by showing that its logical consequence is absurd or contradictory.
250
rebuff
to reject something in an abrupt or ungracious manner
251
laconic
of a person or speech: using very few words
| "his laconic reply"
252
florid
used to describe elaborate or excessively intricate literary works
253
verbose
using more words than are needed
| "much academic language is obscure and verbose"
254
exultant
triumphantly happy
255
sanguine
optimistic or positive
256
laud
to praise someone
257
credo
a statement of the beliefs or aims which guide someone's actions.
258
apologia
a formal written defence of one's opinions or conduct
259
vitriolic
filled with bitter criticism or malice
260
parenthetical expression/ interruption and what does it do
a phrase or clause that’s inserted within—in effect, it interrupts—another phrase or clause. Does not necessarily use parentheses. Adds personal commentary or explains
261
palaver (2 meanings)
adjective to describe something unnecessarily elaborate; verb for unproductive talk
262
iconoclasm/iconoclastic
iconoclasm: the social belief in the importance of the destruction of icons, images or monuments, most frequently for religious or political reasons
iconoclastic: characterized by an attack on cherished beliefs or institutions
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ambivalence
the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone
264
apostasy
the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief
265
polemic
a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something
266
dichotomy
a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different
267
counterfactual statement
any proposition that is about the way the world will be, could be, but isn't
example: If I had enough money, I would buy that house
268
ethos
an appeal to ethics. Convincing an audience via the authority/ credibility of the persuader.
Examples: celebrities or experts in the field
269
logos
an appeal to logic. Persuading an audience with reason, facts and figures
270
ephemeral
lasting for a very short time
271
contrived
deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously
272
spurious
adjective: false/ fake
273
maudlin
adjective: sentimental/ emotional
274
sardonic
adjective: grimly mocking or cynical
275
motes
dust or tiny piece of substance
276
synesthesia
one sense (for example, hearing) is simultaneously perceived as if by one or more additional senses such as sight
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ekphrasis
the use of a detailed description of a work of visual art as a literary device
278
postmodern
an intellectual stance that rejects the possibility of reliable knowledge and denies the existence of a universal, stable reality
279
inversion
the switch of word order to emphasize the words or maintain a meter.
example: the ocean blue vs the blue ocean
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ineffable
adjective: incapable of being expressed or described in words
examples: ineffable joy
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undulation
the act of smoothly moving up and down
example: the undulation of the waves
