abstract
diction term
referring to a word that signifies a general idea, concept or condition that is intangible
colloquialism
diction term
words and phrases used in casual conversation and given new, informal meanings, could originate from a dialect, but does not have t0
concrete
diction term
a word that specifies what is tangible; a word whose meaning we understand with one or more of our five senses
connotation
diction term
the implied or understood meaning of a word that is more than or different from its definition
denotation
diction term
dictionary definition
diction
diction term
the specific word choice the author/narrator/speaker employs
anaphora
syntax term
the exact repetition of the first few words or phrases at the beginning of successive sentences or clauses
repetition
syntax term
repeated words or phrases
cataloguing
syntax term
a list
juxtaposition
syntax term
the placement of words or phrases next to or near each other for effect
function: to imply a correlation, to emphasize or to make a point through comparison or contrast
caesura
syntax term
a pause/interruption/break near the middle of a line, often emphasizes what follows
allusion
figurative language
a reference to a historical event, a literary work, biblical story/character, etc.
analogy
figurative language
an extended comparison between two unlike things that share some similarities, it is similar to an extended metaphor and simile but the difference lies in the fact that what is compared shares some similarities
function: to explain or clarify some unfamiliar or difficult idea or experience by showing how the idea or object is similar to the one that is familiar
hyperbole
figurative language
exaggeration
imagery
figurative language
refers to words and phrases that evoke sensory experiences for the reader, images appeal to what can be seen, felt, tasted, heard, or smelled, if an author employs this, it is your job to identify the type of imagery the author is using, merely stating the author uses this is inefficient, there are seven types: visual, olfactory, tactile, gustatory, auditory, kinesthetic, and organic
metaphor
figurative language
the comparison of two unlike objects without the use of “like” or “as,” extended ____ continue throughout the passage and are easily confused with analogies, however, analogies share some similarities, ____ share none
simile
figurative language
a metaphor using “like” or “as”
irony
figurative language
a contrast between expectation and reality, three types of ___: verbal, situational, and dramatic
metonomy
figurative language
one term is substituted for another term with which it is closely related
personification
figurative language
human qualities are given to inanimate objects, ideas, or animals
function: like so many of these devices, the function depends on context, when analyzing ____, analyze
symbol
figurative language
a person, place, or thing in a narrative that suggests meaning beyond its literal sense
paradox
figurative language
a statement that seems contradictory but actually points to a truth
function: the function is as the definition indicates: to point to a larger truth in a concise and thought-provoking way
understatement
figurative language
the reverse of hyperbole, the seriousness of an event is understated
allegory
terms that describe style and genre
a story, poem, that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one, the story occurs on both a symbolic and a literal level
anecdote
term that describe style and genre
a brief narrative or a retelling of a story or event often based on the speaker’s own experience
apostrophe
term that describe style and genre
an address—usually poetic—to an inanimate object or to someone not present
satire
term that describe style and genre
a literary work in which the ideas, customs, behaviors, or institutions of society are ridiculed to effect change, ___ range from mild to harsh, irony and exaggeration are the main weapons of ____
stock
term that describe characterization and character type
a common or stereotypical character who occurs frequently in literature
round/dynamic
term that describe characterization and character type
characters that are portrayed in great depth and are given more generous details, these characters tend to develop over the course of the story
foil
term that describe characterization and character type
a character that stands in contrast to the main character
epiphany
term that describe characterization and character type
a moment of insight, discovery, or revelation by which a character or a character’s life is altered
flat/static
term that describe characterization and character type
a character with only one outstanding trait or quality, ___ characters tend to stay the same throughout a story
objective point of view
narrative technique
camera angle
reader placed in the position of spectator
reader must draw her own conclusions about what is occurring
all that is relayed is what characters say and do and hear
feelings/emotional states must be inferred
purest form of ___ narration would be dialogue only
stream of consciousness
narrative techniques
seeks to depict how we think
flow of inner experiences, procession of unrelated images and ideas (term coined by William James)
omniscient
narrative techniques
all knowing
most flexible point of view
permits widest scope—allows for depth and breath
inside the minds of all characters
interprets and comments
limited omniscient
narrative techniques
story told from the perspective of one character, the narrator comments on the story’s events from the character’s perspective, the narrator informs the reader of what the character thinks and feels and comments on the character as the narrator knows more about the character than the character may know about him/herself
first person
narrative techniques
story told from the perspective of one character—this character is the narrator
can be a major or minor character i.e. participant or observer
as the story is told from only one perspective—the reliability of the narrator must always be questioned
allows for immediacy, dramatic irony, human error
be wary of the “authorial fallacy”
flashback
narrative techniques
a scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story
foreshadowing
narrative techniques
a warning or indication of a future event
steps for analyzing literary devices
quotation
identify device
analyze device
connect argument to analysis and to meaning of the sentence as a whole