Literary Terms: A-F Flashcards
(26 cards)
Alliteration
The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (e.g. “she sells sea shells”)
Allegory
Device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning.
Allusion
A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work
Ambiguity
The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase,sentence, or passage
Analogy
A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.
A comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it. 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. Nucleus is the sun and electrons are the planets revolving around their sun.”
Antecedent
the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
Aphorism
a terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principle
Apostrophe
a figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction, such as liberty or love
Atmosphere
the emotional mood create by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting.
Clause
a grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb
Colloquial
the use of slang or informalities in speech or writing
Conceit
a fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects
Connotation
the non-literal, associative meaning of a word: the implied, suggested meaning
Denotation
The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color
Diction
referring to style, diction refers to the writers word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, cleanness, or effectiveness.
Didactic
from the Greek, literally means “teaching”
Euphemism
from the Greek for “good speech”, a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept
Extended Metaphor
a metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work
Figurative Language
writing or speech that is not intended to carry literary meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid
Figure of Speech
a device used to produce figurative language
Asyndeton
is 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. Asyndeton 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.”
Epistrophe
is 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 you! Juno sings her blessings on you…
Scarcity and want shall shun you,
Ceres blessing so is on you.”
Anaphora
is the opposite of epistrophe and means the repetition of the same phrase or word at the 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
Ethos
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