Terms Flashcards
to learn the terms of English thoroughly (251 cards)
1
Q
In Media Res
A
Story that starts in the middle of the action
2
Q
Onomatopoeia
A
To give sounds in word form ex: “zzzzz”
3
Q
Frame story
A
Story starts at the end then shows how they got there (flashback)
4
Q
Ab Ovum
A
Starts the story at the beginning (opening of the egg)- “once upon a time”
5
Q
Prologue
A
Putting a story before the story
6
Q
Protagonist
A
The main character (one the audience roots for- not always good)
7
Q
Antagonist
A
Person or entity that works against the protagonist (ex: cop vs. robber)
8
Q
Foil
A
Character is the opposite of the protagonist. Enhances the protagonist’s main trait
9
Q
Secondary characters
A
Everyone else
10
Q
Flat character
A
A “one dimensional” character with few traits
11
Q
Round character
A
A “3 dimensional” character with many traits
12
Q
Static characters
A
A character that does not change throughout the story
13
Q
Dynamic characters
A
Changes throughout the course of the story
14
Q
Supporting characters
A
Essential to the plot, help move the story forward (foils, helpers…)
15
Q
Minor characters
A
Background characters that add to the setting of the story. Without them the story would seem flat
16
Q
Anti climax
A
Build to the climax then misses it (usually funny)
17
Q
Climax
A
Where the conflict reaches the highest point (turning point), highest point of emotional conflict
18
Q
Internal conflict
A
Character versus self
19
Q
External conflict
A
Character versus environment, another character
20
Q
Exposition
A
Systematic explanation of a specific topic
21
Q
Rising action
A
Events of the plot, leading to a climax
22
Q
Falling action
A
(resolution), part of plot after climax (complications from rising action resolved).
23
Q
1st person POV
A
Everything seen from character’s eyes (told as I)
24
Q
3rd person POV
A
Character outside of main action of the story (he/she)
25
Theme
Central idea or purpose of the story (not moral, not plot)
26
Tone
Writer's attitude towards readers
27
Mood/atmosphere
Words, details create feeling in the reader
28
Stereotype/stock character
One trait usually physical (blonde=dumb)
29
The Idol
Best representation of humanity (must have one flaw)
30
The Antihero
Lack conventional heroic attributes (do right thing sometimes for the wrong reason)
31
The Everyman
Ordinary human is caught in something outside of their human control (through this rise to their potential)
32
The Underdog
Highlights the conflict of an individual vs. an oppressive environment (zero to hero)
33
Conflict
Struggle between opposing characters or environment
34
Metaphor
Direct comparison 2 things "is"
35
Simile
Comparison using "like/as"
36
Alliteration
Repetition of a sound at the beginning of a word
37
Rhyme
Repetition at the end of a word
38
Hyperbole
Deliberate exaggeration (huge)
39
Personification
Giving human traits to a non-human thing
40
Figurative Language
Using imagery and literary devices to create meaning
41
Stanza
Collection of lines in a poem (paragraph of a poem)
42
Assonance
Repetition of a vowel sound
43
Connotation
Cultural meaning of a word
44
Denotation
Dictionary definition
45
Consonance
Repetition of consonant sounds
46
Couplet
2 lines of similar length that rhyme
47
Extended metaphor
A metaphor that grows throughout a poem or story (whole poem is a metaphor)
48
Internal rhyme
Rhyme in the middle and end of a line (If you have a RHYME within your LINE)
49
Jargon
Language specific to a certain group (ex: teacher jargon)
50
Juxtaposition
Putting two unlike things next to each other for emphasis
51
Parallelism
Two ideas or images that reflect each other (ex: Ms.Andres has a dog and they're both going through problems)
52
Rhyme scheme
Pattern in a rhyme
53
Symbolism
(goes with connotation) an image that represents something bigger (ex: dove= peace or twitter)
54
Active voice
A sentence is written so that the subject is an actor of the verb- for example ‘the cat ate the mouse.’ The cat is the subject and the cat is doing the action. See also passive voice.
55
Allegory
A story in which the literal meaning represents another level of meaning.
- it is a form of an extended metaphor
The underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance, and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas such as charity, greed or envy.
56
Alliteration
The repetition of identical consonant sounds at the beginning of closely associated words. Ex. Peter Piper picked...
57
Allusion
a brief direct or indirect reference to a person, event, place (real or fictitious), or to a work of art or direction which the author hopes/assumes the reader will recognize. Allusion is most typically a casual reference to a famous historical or literary figure or event. Most allusions expand or develop a significant idea, impression, or mood in the story.
58
Analogy
Comparison of two things made to explain something unfamiliar through its similarities to something familiar; similes and metaphors are types of analogies
59
Anecdotal evidence
informal account of evidence from anecdote or hearsay
60
Antagonist
A character or force in conflict with the main character. Can be a character or something (ex. weather) which causes turmoil.
61
Anti-climax
a sudden shift from relatively serious mood to a more comic or trivial.
62
Antithesis
a contrast, usually expressed with parallel sentence structure. For example, "to err is human; to forgive, divine."
63
Apostrophe
a statement, question, or request addressed to an inanimate object or concept or to a nonexistent or absent person; ex= a poet asking the muses for inspiration "Oh Canada, our home and native land"
64
Argumentative Essay
takes a particular position on a topic and defends it
65
Archaic language
words or phrases that are no longer commonly used. Ex Old English (Shakespeare)
66
Aside
comment made by a stage performer meant to be heard by the audience, but not the other characters
67
Assonance
the repetition of identical vowel sounds in different, closely associated words.
68
Atmosphere
mood or feeling created by a literary work, often through description. ex: suspense, fear, joy. see tone and mode
69
Audience
the person or persons for whom text is written or a play is performed. It is important to know the audience for whom you are writing and to write with the tone, diction, and style appropriate for that group.
70
Autobiography
narrative in which an individual tells their story
71
Ballad
a story/poem told in song, usually by an impersonal narrator and in a condensed form. Ballads are commonly written using ballad stanza
72
Ballad Stanza
a quatrain of alternating four and three stress lines, usually rhyming ABCB. For example "All in a hot and copper sky/ The bloody Sun, at noon,/Right up above the mast did stand,/ No bigger than the moon."
73
Bias
a preference or inclination, especially one that inhibits partial judgement
74
Biography
narrative that tells a person's life story
75
Blank verse
poetry written in unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter
76
Cacophony
harsh, discordant sounds placed together for affect. Opposite of euphony. For example, " The clatter of crashing vied for my attention."
77
Caricature
a portrait that exaggerates or distorts basic features of a person for effect. Used often in editorial cartoons for humour or to create a quick characterization
78
Case Study
method of qualitative research where one examines a small, select instance or in depth event
79
Catastrophe
in drama, particularly a tragedy, the concluding action following the climax that contains the resolution of the plot.
80
Cause and Effect
the reason something happened is the cause, the something that happened is the effect.
81
Character
refers to both a fictional person in the story and a moral, temperamental, and behavioral qualities of that fictional person.
82
Characterization
methods a writer uses to develop and reveal the personality of a character. It is either revealed directly (through author comments) or indirectly (through the character's speech, thought or action).
83
Character Foil
a character who is used to contrast opposing traits with another character so that the reader better understands the personality and motivation of the protagonist. By being so villainous, foils are used to make the protagonist seem heroic by contrast.
84
Chorus
in ancient Greek drama, a group of actors who commented on and interpreted the unfolding action of the stage; in poetry, a repeated refrain
85
Chronological order
organizing events by time, often earliest to latest
86
Cliché
a metaphor or expression that is overused so it loses its meaning
87
Climatic Order
organizing ideas by order of importance, often from least important to most important
88
Climax
the turning point in a work with the highest point of emotional intensity.
89
Colloquialism
a word or phrase that is acceptable in casual conversation but not in formal, written communication; more acceptable than slang
90
Colloquial Language
informal or conversational style
91
Comedy
depicts humorous plots whereby the protagonist is faced with a light-hearted challenge and in the end overcomes it and the story or play ends happily
92
Comic relief
the use of humour to lighten the mood of a serious or tragic story, especially in plays
93
Compare and contrast
analyze the topic by looking at how they are alike (a comparison) and how they are different (a contrast)
94
Comparison
Similarities
95
Conflict
the struggle between opposing characters or forces (ie. the protagonist versus the antagonist). Ex. character versus her/his environment; character versus character; character versus self
96
Connotation
emotional associations and overtones related to a word. ex. a person who is underweight might be described as slight or scrawny. Slight has a fairly positive connotation, while scrawny has a negative connotation.
97
Consonance
the repetition of similar consonant sounds at the ends of closely associated syllables or words. For example, gored/bored, given/heaven
98
Contrast
see also juxtaposition; refers to the difference, especially a striking one, between two things being compared. It may involve situations, characters, settings, moods, or points of view. Used to clarify meaning, purpose, character, or to heighten certain moods.
99
Couplet
two successive lines of verse that rhyme and are usually of equal length. For example, "I think it is time/ you learned to rhyme."
100
Denotation
the literal meaning of the word as seen in dictionary definitions
101
Denouement
(pronounced day-new-mahn) AKA resolution or falling action; follows the climax and is part of the falling action; comes from the French word for "unknotting"
102
Descriptive Essay
portrays people, places, things, moments and theories with enough deatil to help the reader create a mental picture of what is being written about; it captures a moment in time rather than telling a story
103
Dialect
a manner of speaking or variation on a language particular to an individual, a people, a social class, a geographic region or a country
104
Dialogue
conversations between characters in a drama or story
105
Diary
a personal written record of daily events or thoughts
106
Diction
vocabulary chosen by the writer. Can reflect the level of education of the speaker, the attitude of the speaker, and can influence mood with connotation
107
Didactic
intended to teach a lesson, especially a moral one
108
Dilemma
a choice between two equally unfavourable options. Posing a dilemma is one way a author generates conflict and suspense in a story
109
Direct Presentation
the speaker is telling us about the character. For example, "Jody is a shy girl." See also indirect presentation.
110
Dissonance
combination of harsh or jarring sounds, especially in poetry
111
Drama
broad genre that includes a variety of forms from tragedy to comedy; a work that treats serious subjects and theme but doesn't aim at the splendour of tragedy
112
Dramatic irony
(aka structural irony) a dramatic situation in which the audience knows something the character does not. ex. the audience knows that Juliet has taken a drug to fake her death but Romeo does not know this and kills himself
113
Dramatic monolouge
A type of poem in which a speaker addresses a silent listener. As readers, we overhear the speaker in a dramtic monolouge.
114
Dramatic form
a method for the espression of dramatic meaning (eg. improvisation, tableau, role, dance drama, Readers Theater, mask, mime)
115
Dynamic character
Basically a round character. This term is used to contrast against static characters who do not change
116
Editorial
statement/article that expresses an opinion rather than just reporting facts
117
Elegy
a solmn poem that mourns the death of a person or the passing of an era
118
Emotional appeal
writing that persuades the audience by arousing emotios
119
Epic
long, narrative poem about the adventures of a hero of great historic or legendary importance; setting is vast and the action is often given cosmic significance through the intervention of supernatural forces such a gods, angels, or demons; and use elaborate metaphors and allusions to enhance the symbolic importance of a hero's adventures. AFFECTS WORLD NOT ONLY PERSON
120
Epilouge
a short speech (often in verse) addressed directly to the audience by an actor at the end of a play
121
Epiphany
A sudden realization of truth
122
Epigram
A saying that makes the speakers point quickly and concisely
123
Epitaph
Inscription on a monument or tombstone about the person buried there
124
Expert testimony
Providing evidence from an expert who is deemed to have special knowledge
125
Exposition
In essays, systemic explanation of a specific
126
Epiphany
a sudden realization of truth
127
Epigram
A saying that makes the speaker's point quickly and concisely
128
Epitaph
inscription on a tombstone or monument about the person buried there
129
Euphemism
mild expression used to describe an otherwise offensive term or word (ex. dead= passed away)
130
Euphony
musical/pleasant sounds placed together for effect. Opposite of cacophony.
131
Expert Testimony
Providing evidence from an expert who is deemed to have special knowledge in the field
132
Falling action
the part of a plot that falls after the climax, the complications of the rising action are detangled
133
Expository Essay
Expository is derived from exposition, which is a noun of ‘expose.’ An expository essay is a genre of writing which tends to explain, illustrate, clarify, or explicate something in a way that it becomes clear for readers.
134
Extended Metaphor
a metaphor that develops throughout the poem and has several points of comparison
135
External Conflict
see conflict, character vs character, character vs. environment
136
Fable
narrative intended to convey a moral. Animals of inanimate objects with human characteristics
137
Falling action
the part
138
Fantasy
highly exaggerated or improbable story. Used often to reveal truths about human nature.
139
Farce
a type of comedy characterized by broad humour, outlandish incidents, and often vulgar subject matter
140
Figurative Language
use of figures of speech in writing to attain a special effect. Used in poetry but can sometimes be found in prose
141
First Person Point of View
"I". reader generally sees everything through the characters eyes. Can be used as a omniscient narrator.
142
Flashback
shift in events that took place earlier, needed to fill in background details, illustrate an important point or aid a character in characterization
143
Formal language
writing that does not include idioms, slang, colloquialisms
144
Foil
see character foil
145
Foreshadowing
Hints or warnings of events to take place
146
Form
General term for how a story is put together. Sometimes called the 'How' of a story
147
Formal essay
essay that follows a prescribed path of introduction, body paragraphs (at least three) and a conclusion.
148
Formal language
writing that does not include
149
Frame story
the result of adding one or more small stories within the body of a larger one which encompasses the smaller ones
150
Free verse
poetry with neither rhyme nor rhyme and meter
151
Genre
"type" or "kind" as in "which novel do you like?"
152
Graphic text
use of pictures to help tell a story (ex. manga or cartoons)
153
Hero
protagonist who possesses heroic like qualities like courage. Tragic Here is usually born into some nobility, however due to a tragic flaw makes a serious error in judgement
154
Historical Reference
allusion to a historical event for effect or explanation
155
Hyperbole
a deliberate exaggeration
156
Iambic Pentameter ____
a line composed for 5 iambic feet (ie. five pairs of stressed an unstressed syllables)
157
Idiom
a expression that makes sense as a whole but not individually (ex. a piece of cake)
158
Image
concrete details which uses the five senses and figures of speech that help the reader from vivid impressions of the subject of writing
159
Imagery
the pattern of images in a single piece of writing; often the images allude to more that the surface idea and create meaning through metaphor
160
Internal conflict
see conflict. ex: character vs self
161
Indirect presentation
the speaker is showing the character's actions through dialogue or another person's dialogue.
162
Informal essay
written mainly for enjoyment, not information or persuasion; a relaxed form of expression of opinion, observation, humour with a strong structure.
163
Informal language
conversational style idioms, colloquialisms etc. (see formal language)
164
Interior monologue
narrative technique in which thoughts are revealed in a way that seems uncontrolled and natural
165
Internal rhyme
rhyming words within a line of poetry
166
Irony
the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
"Beethoven was deaf”
167
Jargon
specialized language found in a particular subject. Ex. sports, teachers, lawyers all have their own particular lingo
168
Juxtaposition
the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. Ex. an evil stepmother might seem more evil when placed beside an innocent child
169
Legend
narrative of human actions that are perceived to take place within human history and within the realm of possibility (ex. miracles)- ex. Atlantis. Legends that have been transformed beyond belief are called fables
170
Limited Omniscient Point of View
the third person (Pronouns he, she, they) narrator who reveals the thoughts and feelings of only one character.
171
Meter
when poetry is read aloud there is often a recognizable flow of rising and falling sounds. The varying pattern of stressed syllables is what makes up a poem's meter. Each unit of stress and unstressed syllables is called a "foot"
172
Lyric
relatively short non-narrative poem in which the first-person speaker expresses thoughts and feelings
173
Melodrama
typical plot is a conflict between characters who personify good and evil; usually ends happily and emphasize sensationalism; often using stereotypical characters in simplistic conflicts.
174
Metaphor
direct comparison between objects. "The words were a knife that cut me deeply."
175
Meter
when poetry is read aloud there is often a recognizable flow of rising
176
Monologue
a speech spoken only by one person
177
Mood
Words and details that create a feeling in the reader. Atmosphere and mood are the same thing
178
Motif
repeated element in literature
179
Mystery
genre in which the plot is centered on an unsolved crime
180
Myth
a traditional story that is closely associated with a particular culture or group of people which usually communicates the beliefs and values of that culture
181
Narrative
a story; has a plot, conflict, characters, setting and point of view. May be fictional or non-fictional
182
Narration
Story telling, not pure description or explanation
183
narrator
storyteller or speaker of the poem or novel; can be a character or, if omniscient or objective, a speaker (not to be confused with author)
184
Objective (Language tone etc.)
neutral (doesn't use "I"), fact based
185
Objective point of view
the third person narrator none of the thoughts and feelings of the character. Like a video camera
186
Octave
eight line stanza
187
Ode
long lyric poem praises a person or thing
188
Omniscient Point of View
means "all seeing", the third person narrator who can reveal the thoughts and feelings of several characters
189
Onomatopoeia
a word whose sound suggests its meaning. For example, the bee buzzes
190
Oxymoron
phrases with an inherent contradiction. For example, the living dead
191
Paradox
statement that first appears contradictory but actually states a truth. Example: history teaches us that we learn nothing from history
192
Parallelism
method of comparison of two ides in which each is developed in the same grammatical structure. For example: "Have you ever though of what it is like to fly, to hope, to dream?"
193
Parody
imitation of either formal or thematic elements of one work in another for humorous purposes. Do not confuse with satire.
194
Passive voice
a sentence that is written so that the subject is not the one doing the action. For example 'the mouse was eaten by the cat.' the mouse is the subject but it is not doing the action, the cat is.
195
Pastoral
literary composition on a rural them; characters and language of nobility are often placed in simple settings or characters are shepherds in a country setting
196
Pathos
see emotional appeal
197
Personal Essay
focuses on the writer as subject
198
Personification
inanimate or non-human thing given human like qualities.
199
Persuasive essay
uses persuasive techniques to prove writer's thesis
200
Persuasive technique
method of trying to influence an idea, attitude, or action by rational and symbolic means
201
Plot
storyline or organization of events or episodes within a story.
202
Point of view
perspective on how a story is told
203
Pro and con argument
line of reasoning that looks at the positives and the negatives of a subject
204
Prologue
an introductory section of a literary work; often contains information establishing the situation of the characters and setting, time, action
205
Propaganda
specific type of message presentation directly aimed at influencing the opinions of people , rather than impartially informing
206
Proverb
a brief, sage saying that expresses a truth about life in a striking manner; example "Forgive and forget"
207
Pun
play on words where multiple meanings are deliberately suggested
208
Purpose
main affect the author hoped to achieve
209
Quatrain
a four-line stanza
210
Question and answer
can be basic (questions asked to people to study their knowledge) or rhetorical style where questions are asked then answered to provide information
211
Refrain
phrase repeated at intervals throughout a poem, may be slightly altered at each appearance
212
Repetition
words repeated for emphasis
213
Research
active, diligent, systematic process of inquiry
214
Resolution
see denouement above
215
Rhetorical question
a question that implies the answer is obvious and doesn't need to be answered
216
Rhyme
sound effect created when the sounds at the ends of words are repeated
217
Rhyme Scheme
pattern of rhymed words at the end of lines in a poem. Example ABCB.
218
Rhythm
shifts in beat, speed, or loudness or the pitch in a line of poetry
219
Rising Action
Events of a dramatic or narrative plot leading up to the climax.
220
Round character
often the protagonist; undergoes significant, lasting change, usually in his or her outlook on life.
221
Sarcasm (verbal irony)
often used in a humorous or ironic manner and is expressed through vocal intonations such as over-emphasizing the actual statement
222
Satire
the literary art of diminishing a person or topic or human quality by making it seem ridiculous (politics sometimes)
223
Sestet
six-line stanza
224
Setting
Time and place of a story
225
Simile
Outright comparison using "as" or "like"
226
Slang
words that are used in a certain class of society, but are not generally acknowledged as being correct English
227
Soliloquy
a monologue (alone on stage) in which a characters innermost thoughts are expressed (Hamlet= to be or not to be)
228
Sonnet
a 14-line tightly crafted lyric poem that focuses on a specific theme, usually written in iambic pentameter
229
Speaker
imaginary voice taken on by a poet or a writer that tells you the story
230
Statistical evidence
gathering facts or statistics as evidence for an argument
231
Static character
basically a flat character (does not change), used to contrast with dynamic character
232
Style
a distinctive way in which a writer uses language ( both choice and arrangement of words)
233
Stock/Stereotyped Character
see stereotype
234
Story within a story
one story is told during the action of another story
235
Stream of consciousness
modern narrative technique which attempts to depict the uninterrupted and frequently illogical flow of thoughts and feelings through a character's mind.
236
Style
a distinctive way in which a writer uses language ( both choice and
237
Stylistic technique
any form used to communicate your information
238
Subjective (tone, language etc.)
opinion based, less formal than objective
239
Surprise Ending
sudden twist in the direction of a story, producing a resolution which surprises the reader and often the story's character as well.
240
Suspense
reader's state of anxiety, excitement and anticipation regarding the outcome
241
Symbol
an object that represents or stands in for a more abstract idea. ex. dove=peace
242
Symbolism
the use of an object to represent another (ex. flag representing a nation)
243
Theme
central idea or purpose of the story, usually implied not stated; usually gives insight into human nature or human experience (not moral or plot)
244
Thesis
summarizes main ideas of writing; often one or two sentences that sum up the main point intended to make. (can be topic sentence at the start of a paragraph)
245
Thesis Statement
one sentence in an essay to declare the main idea (thesis) of the essay will be.
246
Third person point of view
the speaker is a character outside of the main story. The main character is spoken to as he/she. Speaker may have unlimited or limited knowledge about the characters in the story.
247
Tone
reveals writer's attitude toward the readers or toward the subject.
248
Tragedy
a noble, courageous hero of excellent character who, because of a tragic character flaw, brings ruin upon him or herself. Using poetic language to evoke pity and fear and bring about the purging of emotions (catharsis).
249
Understatement
a statement that lessens of minimizes the importance of what is meant.
250
Voice
"sounds" of the characters, narrators, etc. Connected to tone and point of view
251
Wit
nothing more than an incisive observation, humorously phrased and delivered with impeccable timing.
