9th Literature & Composition Midterm Review

Allusion

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance that is not elaborated on.

Characterization

The method used by a writer to develop a character's personality through descriptions, actions, dialogue, and interactions with others.

Flashback

A narrative technique that allows the author to present past events during current events in order to provide background and context to the story.

Foreshadowing

A literary device used to give hints or clues about what will happen later in the story, increasing suspense and expectation.

Hyperbole

An intentional and extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally.

Irony (all three types)

A literary technique that highlights a discrepancy between expectations and reality.

Verbal Irony

When a speaker says one thing but means another.

Dramatic Irony

A situation where the audience knows more about the events than the characters.

Situational Irony

An outcome that is contrary to what was expected.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things, suggesting they are alike in a significant way, without using 'like' or 'as'.

Mood

The emotional response that a literary work evokes in the reader, created through language, tone, and context.

Motif

A recurring element, theme, or idea within a literary work that has symbolic significance.

Personification

The attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities or abstract concepts.

Simile

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as' to highlight similarities.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, conveying deeper meanings beyond their literal sense.

Tone

The attitude or emotional quality of the author toward the subject or audience, expressed through choice of words and stylistic elements.

Man vs. Nature

A conflict between a character and natural forces such as weather, animals, or diseases, highlighting human vulnerability.

Man vs. Society

A struggle between a character and societal norms, laws, or expectations that create conflict with their personal beliefs.

Man vs. Self

An internal conflict where a character grapples with their own emotions, desires, or choices.

Man vs. Supernatural

A conflict where a character faces forces beyond the natural world, such as ghosts or gods.

Protagonist vs. Antagonist

The central character (protagonist) faces opposition from another character or force (antagonist), creating the main conflict.

Dynamic vs. Static

A dynamic character experiences significant internal change throughout the story, while a static character remains largely unchanged.

Survival Stories

Authors often explore themes of human resilience, the instinct to survive, and the challenges faced in extreme circumstances.

Common Survivor Experiences

Themes in survival stories often include isolation, the necessity of resourcefulness, and the endurance of the human spirit under duress.

Themes of an Epic

Recurrent themes include heroism, the quest for identity, the role of fate, and the nature of good versus evil.

Characteristics of an Epic

Features include an epic hero of noble ancestry, significant historic or mythological events, and elevated language style.

Types of Epics

Folk epics are traditionally passed down orally, while literary epics are composed by specific authors with deliberate structuring and themes.

Epic (Homeric) Similes

Extended similes that compare heroic events to everyday occurrences, emphasizing the grandeur of the heroic acts.

Invocation

A formal plea or prayer for inspiration at the beginning of an epic poem, often addressed to a muse or divine entity.

Epic Conventions

Standard elements found in epics, such as starting in medias res (in the midst of action) and involving divine intervention.

In Media Res

A narrative technique where the story begins in the middle of the action, rather than at the beginning.

Thesis Statement

A declarative statement that summarizes the main point or position of an essay, providing a roadmap for the argument.

Claim

A statement that asserts a viewpoint or argument, which the writer aims to support with evidence.

Reasons

Logical justifications or explanations that support the claim made in the essay.

Counterclaim

An argument that opposes the main claim, acknowledging different perspectives on the issue.

Rebuttal

A response to the counterclaim, providing evidence or reasoning to challenge it and reinforce the main argument.

Parenthetical Citations

A method of crediting sources within the text by including the author's last name and page number in parentheses.

Theme & Central Idea

The underlying message or insight about life and human nature conveyed in a text, central to its meaning.

Connotation

The emotional or cultural association that a word carries beyond its literal meaning, which can influence understanding.

Inferences

Conclusions drawn based on evidence and reasoning, allowing readers to read between the lines of the text.

Author’s Purpose - P.I.E.

The reason an author writes a text, which may be to Persuade, Inform, or Entertain.

Author’s Viewpoint

The unique perspective or opinion of the author expressed through their writing, influencing the text's tone and message.

Audience

The specified group of readers that a piece of writing is intended to reach, impacting the style and content of the writing.

Context Clues

Using surrounding text and known information to infer the meanings of unfamiliar words.

Paraphrasing

Rewording the original text while retaining its essential meaning and ideas.

Hyperbole

An intentional and extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.

Irony

A literary technique highlighting a discrepancy between expectations and reality.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things, suggesting they are alike in a significant way, without using 'like' or 'as'.

Mood

The emotional response that a literary work evokes in the reader.

Motif

A recurring element, theme, or idea within a literary work with symbolic significance.

Personification

Attribution of human traits or emotions to non-human entities or abstract concepts.

Simile

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, conveying deeper meanings.

Tone

The attitude or emotional quality of the author toward the subject or audience.

Man vs. Nature

A conflict between a character and natural forces like weather or animals.

Man vs. Society

A struggle between a character and societal norms or expectations.

Man vs. Self

An internal conflict where a character grapples with their own emotions or choices.

Man vs. Supernatural

A conflict where a character faces forces beyond the natural world.

Protagonist

The central character who faces opposition from another character or force.

Antagonist

A character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating the main conflict.

Dynamic Character

A character who undergoes significant internal change throughout the story.

Static Character

A character that remains largely unchanged throughout the story.

Theme

The underlying message or insight about life conveyed in a text.

Connotation

The emotional or cultural association that a word carries beyond its literal meaning.

Author's Purpose - P.I.E.

The reason an author writes a text: to Persuade, Inform, or Entertain.

Audience

The group of readers that a piece of writing is intended to reach.

Counterclaim

An argument that opposes the main claim, acknowledging different perspectives.

Rebuttal

A response to the counterclaim, reinforcing the main argument.

Idiom

A figure of speech that means something different than a literal translation.

Onomatopoeia

The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named.

Paradox

A statement that appears contradictory but may contain some truth.