English Honors Vocabulary

allusion

An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly.

comic relief

Comic episodes in a dramatic or literary work that offset serious or tragic elements, often providing humor.

contrast

The state of being strikingly different from something else in juxtaposition or close association.

motif

A distinctive feature or theme in a work of literature that has symbolic significance, contributing to the overall message.

metaphor

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable, suggesting a comparison.

dialogue

Conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or other literary work.

juxtaposition

The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.

characterization

The creation and development of a character in a literary work, revealing their traits through description, actions, and dialogue.

dialect

A particular form of a language that is specific to a region or social group, often including distinct vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

theme

The central idea or message in a literary work, reflecting the author's perspective on a topic or concept.