Fall Term

Implication

Something suggested or indicated without being explicitly stated.

Infer, Inference

To conclude or judge from evidence, The conclusion drawn from evidence

Interpretation

An understanding or construal of meaning; an explanation of the meaning of another's artistic or creative work.

Significance

Importance, consequence; meaning, import.

Connotes

Hinge verb, To suggest or associate an idea or feeling with a word.

Conveys

Hinge verb, To transport or carry; to make known or communicate.

Demonstrates

Hinge verb,

Develops

Hinge verb, To unfold and build gradually

Emphasizes

Hinge verb, To stress or put special importance on

Evokes

Hinge verb, To draw forth or summon an image or reaction.

Exposes

Hinge verb, To lay open or out, to make accessible or subject to understanding or interpretation.

Expresses

Hinge verb, To put into words, represent by language.

Implies, Implication

Hinge verb, To indicate or suggest without explicitly stating

Portrays

Hinge verb, To make a likeness by describing in words

Reflects

Hinge verb, To mirror, express, or show

Represents

Hinge verb, To express or stand for as a word or symbol does.

Reveals

Hinge verb, To make known, disclose, show, display.

Suggests

Hinge verb, To put forward for consideration

Allegory

A story, poem, or picture in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation; an extended symbolic system within a story, poem, or picture; a representation of an abstract subject through concrete characters and events in a story, poem, or picture.

Allusion

In literature, a reference to something else, such as a myth or fairy tale, another work of literature, or a historical event

Antagonist

A character, group of characters, or force that stands in opposition to the protagonist

Archetype

A character, setting, image, or plot that has universal symbolic meaning and can be found in world literature through time

Atmosphere

A surrounding or pervading mood environment, or influence; the dominant mood or emotional tone of a work of art.

Foil

A character who has qualities that are in sharp contrast to another character, thus emphasizing the traits of each, i.e characters who are opposites of one another

Flat vs. Round

An undeveloped character used to move the plot forward or for comic relief vs. A more complex character with developed thoughts and emotions

Static vs. Dynamic

In literature, unchanging over the course of the plot; marked by lack of action vs. showing a change over the course of the plot; marked by energy or action

Characterize

To mark or distinguish; to describe or illustrate the character of

Climax

The moment of greatest tension, when the outcome is to be decided

Conflict

the central issue of the story, which creates drama

Connotation

An idea or quality that a word makes you think about in addition to its meaning; an associated meaning not part of the dictionary definition

Crisis

a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events is determined, a turning point; a dramatic, emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life; a condition of political, social, or economic instability or danger

Denotation

The dictionary definition of a word

Denouement

the final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as in a story, drama, or novel; the outcome of a doubtful series of occurrences. From the French word meaning "the untying of a knot."

Dialect

A differing variety of a language that is distinctive to a particular geographical or social group

Diction

Word choice

Epigraph

A quotation at the beginning of a book, story, poem, etc. that is meant to influence or set the tone for the reader's understanding of the work. Can also refer to the inscription on a building, statue, or other monument.

Exposition

the opening of a story that sets scene, introduces characters, etc.

Irony

A literary device in which a discrepancy of meaning is masked beneath the surface of the language--when a writer says one thing but means something quite the opposite

Dramatic Irony

The discrepancy exists when the speaker, unlike the reader, does not realize the ironic dimension of his of her words. The reader or audience recognizes something that the speaker does not

Situational Irony

The discrepancy exists when something is about to happen to a character or characters who expect the opposite outcome

Verbal Irony

The discrepancy exists in words, language. We understand the meaning to be very different from the usual meaning of the words. Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony.

Juxtaposition

The placing of two or more contrasting things, settings, characters, phrases, or ideas together to highlight differences.

Metaphor

In a story, you might likely encounter an extended metaphor, a figurative comparison that unfolds across throughout the whole story or section of a story. Different from a recurring or repeated metaphor in that there are different tenors (thing being described) and vehicles (thing the tenor is compared to) that fit under the overarching metaphor

Motif

A recurrent element, such as a subject, theme, idea, etc., in an artistic, musical, or literary work.

Narrative arc

the shape that a story takes as it moves from its beginning to its end

Paradox

something (such as a situation) that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible;

Personification

Attribution of human qualities to inanimate, nonhuman things

Point of view

The position of a narrator in relation to the story, as indicated by the narrator's outlook and attitude; the perspective from which a story is told.

First Person

narration means that the story is told from the point of view of someone who is part of the action, either as a participant or as an onlooker. The voice of the story is the "I" voice. Because the narration covers the vantage point of the narrator only, the word limited is often used in conjunction with first-person

Third Person (Limited, Omniscient)

Prose

Writing that is not poetry/ verse; ordinary writing

Protagonist

The leading character, hero, or heroine of a drama or other literary work, who generally (but not always) has our sympathy

Resolution

the conclusion of the story or solving of the conflict

Simile

A comparison, between two unlike things, that uses "like" or "as"

Symbol, symbolize

A figure, word, object, or event that has a range of reference or meaning beyond itself. In literature, a person, place, or thing that suggests more than its literal meaning. The verb form is symbolize.

Contextual

Depending on or relying on the context or surrounding material or information for its full meaning or significance. In describing symbols, synonyms are "personal" or "private."

Cultural

When used to describe a symbol, cultural means generally understood within a particular group or culture. Synonyms are "conventional" or "public."

Theme

The general idea or insight the entire story reveals; the deeper meaning. A theme is not necessarily a moral, but the main ideas that underlie the story. A generally recurring subject or idea evident in a literary work. More complex texts can have multiple themes, but not all subjects are considered themes--only the central subject(s). Rather than broad phrases, i.e. "the loss of innocence," try to sum up the truth or insight of the story in a sentence.

Trajectory

The path followed by something or someone through space and/or time. In discussions of literature, you can refer to the trajectory of a character, meaning the path that character's development seems to be following, or to the trajectory of the plot. This word is often used when you are making predictions about what you think will happen

Vernacular

The language or dialect spoken by ordinary people of a given region

Verse

writing in which words are arranged in a rhythmic pattern; a part of a poem or song

Meditative

deep thoughts

Furrow

narrow trench made by plow

Ravine

deep, narrow gorge with steep sides

Cur

an aggressive dog in poor condition

Lye

strongly alkaline solution

Obstinate

stubborn

Lolling

lazy in a relaxed way

Solemn

serious and dignified

Wither

become dry and shriveled

Pendulum

a weight that swings back and forth

detached

Separate or disconnected, used both for things (such as houses) and people. When describing people, "aloof" or "objective" work as synonyms.

imperturbable

Unable to be upset or excited; calm.

tenant

A person who occupies land or property rented by a landlord.

feeble

Weak; lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness.

career

To move swiftly and in an uncontrolled way, but with a specified direction.

ran the gauntlet

to face an attack from more than one side, or to face difficult or trying conditions.

sash

A fixed frame in which panes of glass are set.

diverged

To move, lie, or extend in different directions from a common point.

summons

An authoritative command, message, or signal; a request, demand, or call to do something.

litanies

Ceremonial prayers in which there is a repeated request and response.

converged

To tend to meet in a point or line; to tend to a common result or conclusion.

throng

A throng is a great, pressing crowd

impinge

To make an impression or have an impact; to encroach upon or interfere with.

incessant

Unceasing, persistent, never stopping.

sodden

Soaking wet, to the point of disintegration.

veil (verb)

To cover or conceal; to hide the true nature of.

bazaar

A marketplace or shopping district, especially one in the Middle East; a sale of donated articles to benefit a charity, cause, or organization.

innumerable

Without number, unable to be counted, numerous.

follies

Foolish actions, practices, ideas, etc.

annihilate

To reduce to utter ruin or non-existence; to destroy completely.

tedious

Long and tiresome; boring.

chafed

To wear down or make sore by rubbing (can be used literally or figuratively).

luxuriated

To enjoy oneself without reservations; to take full advantage of luxury that is provided.

Freemason

A member of a supposedly secret but widely known social organization, originally of masons but now open to individuals not connected with the building trades.

amiability

Friendliness, sociability, good-natured-ness.

monotonous

Lacking or limited in variety; boring, tedious.

curtly

Rudely abrupt in speech or manner.

discreetly

Showing good judgment or caution in one's conduct or speech; slightly secretive.

garrulous

Excessively talkative.