Literary Terms: A-F

Question 0

the repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (e.g. “she sells sea shells”)

Answer 0

Alliteration

Question 1

The device of using character and|or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning

Answer 1

Allegory

Question 2

a direct or indirect reference to something which is presumbly myth, place, or work of art

Answer 2

Allusion

Question 3

the multiple meanings either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage

Answer 3

Ambiguity

Question 4

a similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar. Metaphors and similes are tools used to draw an analogy. Therefore, analogy is more extensive and elaborate than either a simile or a metaphor. Consider the following example: “Structure of an atom is like a solar system. The nucleus is the sun and the electrons are the planets revolving around their sun.”

Answer 4

Analogy

Question 5

the word, phrase, or clause, referred to by a pronoun

Answer 5

Antecedent

Question 6

a terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principle

Answer 6

Aphorism

Question 7

a figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction , such as liberty or love

Answer 7

Apostrophe

Question 8

the emotional mood created by the entirely of a literary work, established partly by the setting

Answer 8

Atmosphere

Question 9

a grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb

Answer 9

Clause

Question 10

the use of slang or informalities in speech or writing

Answer 10

Colloguial

Question 11

a fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects

Answer 11

Conceit

Question 12

the non-literal, associative meaning of a word, the implied suggested meaning

Answer 12

Connotation

Question 13

the strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color

Answer 13

Denotation

Question 14

referring to style, diction refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness

Answer 14

Diction

Question 15

from the Greek, literally means “teaching”

Answer 15

Didactic

Question 16

from the Greek for “good speech,” a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept

Answer 16

Euphemism

Question 17

a metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work

Answer 17

Extended Metaphor

Question 18

writing or speech that is not intended to carry literary meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid

Answer 18

Figurative Language

Question 19

a device used to produce figurative language

Answer 19

Figure of Speech

Question 20

derived from a Greek word asyndeton which means unconnected. It is a stylistic device used to intentionally eliminate conjunctions between the phrases and in the sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. Helps in speeding up the rhythm of words. EX: “This is the villain among you WHO DECEIVED you, WHO CHEATED you, WHO MEANT TO BETRAY you completely.”

Answer 20

Asyndeton

Question 21

derived from a Greek word that means turning upon, which indicates the same word returns at the end of each sentence. EX: Hourly joys be still upon you! Juno sings her blessings on you…
Scarcity and want shall shun you…
Ceres’ blessing so is on you.”

Answer 21

Epistophe

Question 22

the opposite of epistrophe and means the repetition of the same phrase or word beginning of successive sentences such as in this example:
FIVE YEARS have passed;
FIVE SUMMERS, with the length of
FIVE LONG winters! and again I hear these waters…

Answer 22

Anaphora

Question 23

A short and interesting story or an amusing event often proposed to support or demonstrate some point and make readers and listeners laugh. They can include an extensive range of tales and stories. In fact, it is a short description or an account of any event that makes the reader laugh or brood over the topic presented for the purpose.

Answer 23

Anecdote

Question 24

literal meaning opposite, is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas, are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect. It emphasizes the idea of contrast by parallel structures of the contrasted or clause, i.e. the structures of phrases and clauses are similar in order to draw the attention of the listeners or readers. For example:
“Setting foot on the moon may be a small step for man but a giant step for mankind.”
The use of contrasting ideas, “a small step” and “a giant step”, in the sentence above emphasizes the significance of one of the biggest landmarks of human history.

Answer 24

Antithesis