AICE English Language Literary Terms Glossary

Alliteration

The repetition of similar sounding words in a sentence

Allusion

An indirect reference to something and the reader should know without explanation

Anaphora

Uses repetition when the same words are used in the beginning of 2 or more sentences

Anecdote

To make an issue or problem personal and relevant

Antithesis

When two opposing phrases are put together to make a strong sentence that makes sense

Assonance

Creates rhythm and a beat to the readers

Colloquial

The usage of an informal, conversational, tone

Colloquialism

A phrase that is informal

Connotation

An implied meaning to a word

Denotation

A literal explicit meaning of a word

Diction

The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.

Direct Speech

The reporting of speech by repeating the actual words of a speaker

Ethos

Speakers appeal to ethos to demonstrate that they are credible and trustworthy to speak on a given topic

Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts

Flashback

a scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story

Foreshadow

Hints or clues about future events.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally.

Idiom

A commonly used expression with a figurative meaning.

Imagery

Language appealing to the senses, creating a vivid picture.

Irony

Contrast between expectation and reality.

Jargon

Specialized language used by a particular group.

Juxtaposition

Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison.

Logos

Convincing the audience through rational thought and reason.

Metaphor

Making an implied comparison not using 'like' or 'as'.

Example of Metaphor

'my feet are popsicles'.

Purpose of Metaphor

A metaphor can be used to create vivid imagery, exaggerate a characteristic or action, or express a complex idea.

Mood

The atmosphere or emotional feeling created in a story through the author's use of language, setting, and other literary devices, influencing the reader's emotional connection with the narrative.

Examples of Mood

lighthearted, lonely, melancholy, tense, sentimental, romantic, cheerful, mysterious, eerie, peaceful.

Oxymoron

When apparently contradictory terms are grouped together to suggest a paradox.

Examples of Oxymoron

'wise fool', 'eloquent silence', and 'jumbo shrimp'.

Purpose of Oxymoron

The purpose ranges to enhancing descriptions and intensifying emotions to simply bringing out lighthearted mood or tone.

Paradox

A contradictory situation which is actually true.

Purpose of Paradox

To make the reader more interested in the story.

Example of Paradox

'You can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without having a job'.

Parallel Structure (Parallelism)

Use of similar structures in successive phrases or clauses.

Example of Parallel Structure

'Like father, like son.'

Purpose of Parallel Structure

Creates rhythm, balance, and reinforces ideas.

Parody

Imitation of a particular style or genre for comic effect or ridicule.

Example of Parody

SNL skits imitating political figures.

Purpose of Parody

Critiques or humorously comments on the subject, often providing social insight.

Pathos

An appeal to emotion.

Example of Pathos

When commercials use injured puppies to capture audiences.

Purpose of Pathos

By persuading the reader/s by appealing to their emotions.

Personification

The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman.

Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told.

Types of Point of View

First person - I, Me, My etc; Third person - Him, Her, Them, They.

Polysyndeton

The use of several conjunctions in close succession.

Example of Polysyndeton

'Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.'

Pun

A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings.

Repetition

The action of repeating something that has already been said or written.

Example of Repetition

'Time after time'.

Purpose of Repetition

Used to emphasize an idea or feeling, create rhythm, and/or develop a feeling of urgency.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.

Purpose of Rhetorical Question

To leverage a critique of society in a way that's interesting, useful, and often funny.

Satire

The use of humor, irony, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices.

Simile

A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, using 'like' or 'as'.

Purpose of Simile

To show a point using imagery.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Example of Symbolism

It's used in poison symbols and warning symbols.

Synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa.

Example of Synecdoche

'Do a quick headcount and see who's missing'.

Syntax

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

Example of Syntax

'The boy kicked the ball'.

Purpose of Syntax

To create specific sentence structures that will have an effect on the reader.

Tone

The general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc.

Examples of Tone

optimistic, pessimistic, humorous, formal, somber, serious, mad, informal, joyful.

Understatement

The presentation of something as being smaller or less important than it actually is.