Lit Terms 41-60

Explication

The act of interpreting or discovering the meaning of a text, involving close reading and attention to figurative language.

Fable

A very short story featuring animals that teaches a practical lesson about life, exemplified by Aesop's Fables.

Farce

A type of comedy characterized by exaggerated and improbable situations, often involving stereotyped characters.

Figurative Language

Language that uses figures of speech, such as similes and metaphors, to convey meanings that are not literal.

Flashback

A narrative technique that interrupts the chronological flow of a story to depict events that occurred earlier.

Foil

A character who contrasts with another character, highlighting particular qualities of the main character.

Foreshadowing

The use of hints or clues to suggest events that will occur later in the narrative.

Free Verse

A form of poetry that does not adhere to a regular meter or rhyme scheme, allowing for greater freedom of expression.

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect.

Hypotactic

A sentence structure that uses connecting words to show the relationship between clauses.

Imagery

The use of descriptive language that evokes sensory experiences, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

Inversion

The reversal of the normal word order in a sentence, often used for emphasis or poetic effect.

Irony

A literary device that highlights a discrepancy between appearances and reality.

Verbal Irony

Occurs when a speaker says one thing but means another, often sarcastically.

Situational Irony

Happens when there is a stark contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually occurs.

Dramatic Irony

A situation in which the audience knows more about the circumstances than the characters.

Juxtaposition

A rhetorical device that places contrasting ideas or images close together to highlight their differences.

Local Color

A literary technique that emphasizes the characteristics of a specific region, enriching the narrative.

Litotes

A form of understatement that emphasizes a positive statement by negating its opposite.

Imagery

The use of vivid and descriptive language to create mental images, enhancing the reader's experience.