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Section 1 Flashcards

1
Q

abstract

A

an abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research (often scientific)

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2
Q

adage

A

a saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language

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3
Q

allegory

A

a story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface; highly symbolic

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4
Q

alliteration

A

the repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem

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5
Q

allusion

A

a reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea

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6
Q

ambiguity

A

a vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretations

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7
Q

anachronism

A

a person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set

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8
Q

analogy

A

a comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things

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9
Q

annotation

A

a brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature

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10
Q

antagonist

A

a character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict

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11
Q

antithesis

A

a rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences; ex. “they promised freedom but provided slavery”, “ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country”

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12
Q

aphorism

A

a short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment

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13
Q

Apollonian

A

in contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior

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14
Q

apostrophe

A

a locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present; ex. “oh, you cruel streets of Manhattan, how I detest you!”

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15
Q

archetype

A

an abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form

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16
Q

assonance

A

the repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines of a poem

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17
Q

ballad

A

a simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited

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18
Q

bard

A

a poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment

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19
Q

bathos

A

the use of insincere or overdone sentimentality

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20
Q

belle-lettres

A

french term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general

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21
Q

bibliography

A

a list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other works

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22
Q

Bildungsroman

A

a german word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal

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23
Q

bombast

A

inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects

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24
Q

burlesque

A

a work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation

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25
cacophony
grating, inharmonious sounds
26
caesura
a pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often marked by punctuation
27
canon
the works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied
28
caricature
a grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things
29
carpe diem
literally "seize the day"; enjoy life while you can; a common theme in literature
30
catharsis
a cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy
31
classic
a highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time
32
classical, classicism
deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity, and restraint
33
climax
the high point, or turning point, of a story or play
34
conceit
a witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language
35
connotation
the suggested or implied meaning of a work or phrase; contrast with dennotation
36
consonance
the repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry
37
couplet
a pair of rhyming lines in a poem; two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter is sometimes called a heroic couplet
38
denotation
the dictionary definition of a word; contrast with connotation
39
dénouement
the resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction
40
deus ex machina
in literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem
41
diction
the choice of words in oral and written discourse
42
Dionysian
as distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses
43
dramatic irony
a circumstance in which that audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character
44
elegy
a poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of something or someone of value
45
ellipsis
three periods (...) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation
46
elliptical construction
a sentence containing a deliberate omission of words; in the sentence "May was hot and June the same," the verb "was" is omitted from the second clause
47
empathy
a feeling of association or identification with an object or person
48
end-stopped
a term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation
49
enjambment
in poetry, the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them
50
epic
a narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero
51
epigram
a concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement
52
euphony
pleasing, harmonious sonfs
53
epithet
an adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or things
54
eponymous
a term for the title character of a work of literature
55
euphemism
a mild or less negative usage for harsh or blunt term; ex. "pass away" is a euphemism for "die"
56
exegesis
a detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature
57
exposé
a piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings
58
exposition
the background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature
59
explication
the interpretation or analysis of a text
60
extended metaphor
a series of comparisons between two unlike objects
61
fable
a short tale often with nonhuman characters form which a useful lesson may be drawn
62
falling action
the action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict
63
fantasy
a story containing unreal, imaginary features
64
farce
a comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose
65
figure of speech, figurative language
in contrast to literal language, figurative language implies meanings; figures of speech in metaphors, similes, and personification, among many others
66
first-person narrative
a narrative told by a character involved in the story using first-person pronouns such as "I" and "we"
67
metacognition
the ability to think about one's thinking and/or thought process
68
synesthesia
the sensation when one sensory modality replaces or crosses with another
69
schwa
/ə/; phonetic sound; "e" sound in "the"
70
antihero
character who adds complexity and is a protagonist but lacks typical traits of a hero such as leadership or courage

Literary Terms (1 decks)

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