English 2H - S1 Finals Vocab

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.