Figures of Speech in Literature

50 vocabulary flashcards based on figures of speech and poetic elements discussed in literature.

Figurative Language

Language that uses figures of speech to create imagery and emotion.

Simile

A comparison of two dissimilar objects using 'like' or 'as'.

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

Personification

Attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas, animals, or inanimate objects.

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally.

Synecdoche

Using a part of something to signify the whole, or vice versa.

Metonymy

Replaces the name of a thing with something closely associated with it.

Irony

A contrast between what is said and what is meant, or appearance and reality.

Litotes

A form of understatement that uses double negatives to express a positive.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms.

Paradox

A self-contradictory statement that may prove to be true upon investigation.

Apostrophe

Addressing a person, idea, or thing that is not present or is abstract.

Antonomasia

Substituting a title or epithet for a proper name.

Allusion

A reference to historical, biblical, literary, or sociopolitical events.

Alliteration

Repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in neighboring words.

Assonance

Repetition of similar vowel sounds in words that are close together.

Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates the natural sound of a thing.

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

Imagery

Visually descriptive or figurative language in literature.

Theme

The central topic or idea explored in a text.

Tone

The attitude of the writer toward the subject or audience.

Mood

The emotional atmosphere created by the author in the text.

Juxtaposition

Placing two or more ideas, themes, or characters side by side for comparison.

Ambiguity

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation.

Symbolism

Using symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings.

Context

The circumstances or setting surrounding a text.

Narrative

A spoken or written account of connected events; a story.

Persona

The voice or character representing the speaker in a literary work.

Diction

The choice and use of words in writing or speech.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

Contrast

A rhetorical device through which writers identify differences between two subjects.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be harsh.

Cliché

An overused expression or idea that has lost its originality.

Motif

A recurring theme, subject, or idea in literature.

Dialect

A particular form of language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group.

Dialectical

Relating to the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions.

Stream of consciousness

A narrative mode that attempts to capture the flow of thoughts and feelings.

Parody

An imitation of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.

Satire

The use of humor or irony to criticize or mock societal issues.

Protagonist

The main character in a literary work, often facing a conflict.

Antagonist

A character or force that opposes the protagonist.

Climax

The most intense, exciting, or important point of something in a narrative.

Resolution

The unfolding or solution of a complicated issue in a story.

Foreshadowing

A literary device that gives an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story.

Tone Shift

A change in the author's attitude toward the subject or audience.

Meta-narrative

A narrative about narrative; an overarching story that explains other stories.

Anthropomorphism

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