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Vocabulary for Semester ONE Finals for English 2H.
Thesis
the overall arguable claim of the paper that directly answers all parts of the prompt. Thesis statements must take a position and include TAGs (title, author, genre).
CTA (Close Text Analysis)
strategy for analysis when examining (written or verbal) a complex text. Focuses on the effect of language and how analysis leads to purpose.
Literary Purpose
the goal or aim of a piece of writing. When determining the purpose of the text, consider elements such as theme, setting, tone, characters, etc.
Genre
the specific type or category of work. Examples: poem, novel, short story, song, drama/play, etc.
Formulate
to create a specific idea and express it in a concise way.
Effect
The meaning of what a device is actually doing/the author's purpose for using the specific device. For example, to establish tone/mood, to characterize, to assert/deny, etc.
Social Criticism (in literature)
the examination and critique of the social issues of modern society. It often involves pointing out problems in society and proposing solutions.
Conflict
the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.
External Conflict
outside force may be person, group, animal, nature, or a non-human obstacle.
Internal Conflict
takes place inside a character's mind.
In media res
Latin phrase for "in the midst (middle) of things" - a narrative work that opens in the midst of the plot.
Tone
the writer or speaker's attitude towards the subject.
Denotation/Connotation
the dictionary definition of the word vs. the ideas/feelings/implied meaning of the word.
Theme
the universal message/deeper meaning of the work that the writer is trying to convey to readers.
Motif
a repeated/recurring word, phrase, image, or topic that appears throughout the work and has a symbolic meaning.
Symbol
an object with a figurative meaning which provides an entirely different meaning that is much deeper and more significant.
Anaphora
a form of syntax in which there is a repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines
Situational Irony
an incongruity appears between expectations of something to happen
Existentialism
a human being is 'thrown into' into a concrete, inveterate universe that cannot be 'thought away', and therefore existence ('being in the world') precedes consciousness, and is the ultimate reality.
Kafkaesque
term used to describe a situation that is complex
Allusion
a reference within a literary work to a well known literary figure or work
Allegory
a work of fiction carrying two levels of meaning -- one literal and one symbolic or metaphorical; a narrative in which abstractions (ideas) are made concrete; characters stand for principles
Tragic Hero
the character who exhibits a tragic flaw which eventually leads to his or her demise.
Hamartia (Greek)
a tragic flaw leading to a downfall; a mistake.
Hubris (Greek)
excessive pride or self-confidence leading to a downfall.
Catharsis
to arouse pity and fear in the audience; a release of emotional tension.
Antithesis
a figure of speech in which an opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed by parallelism of words that are the opposites of
Paradox
a statement that is seemingly contradictory/opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true.
Apostrophe
a figure of speech used when the writer or speaker speaks directly to someone who is not present
Monologue
an extended speech by one person.
Soliloquy
an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers
Aside
a remark or passage by a character in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by the other characters in the play.
Dramatic Irony
situations in which the audience knows more about the situations
Foil
a character that shows qualities that are in contrast with those of another character.
Tragic Flaw
a trait in a heroic character leading to his downfall.
Turning Point
the point of highest tension in a narrative; it's the most exciting and revealing part of a story.
Alliteration
repeated consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
Assonance
repeated vowel sounds.
Cacophony
the grouping together of harsh
Consonance
the repetition of consonant sounds in close proximity.
Euphony
the grouping together of harmonic
Metonymy
a figure of speech with which an author refers to something indirectly; references the name of something else with which it is associated.
Note 
Flashcard (30)