R - W

REPETITION

When a specific word or short phrase is repeated. Used to emphasize an idea.

RESEARCH

A close study of a topic using secondary sources. Example: you read a psychological book on guilt to understand Lady Macbeth better.

RESOLUTION

The last part of a plot, following the falling action. Where conflicts are resolved.

RHETORICAL QUESTION

Asking a question without intending to receive an answer. Answer is usually obvious and does not need to be answered. Ex: a police officer asks “do you know how fast you were going?” after pulling you over. Ex: Duffy: What have you done to the world?

RHYME/RHYME SCHEME

Rhyme: The same sounds at the end of lines of poetry. Ex: Why can you not see, You should be with me? Rhyme Scheme: The pattern of rhyme throughout a poem. Marked with letters for each different sound. Ex: This is where the sidewalk ends, (A) And few people know, (B) That where the road twists and bends, (A) Is where no one will go. (B)

RHYTHM

The beat of a poem/phrase; via stressed & unstressed syllables. - / - / - / - - / - - / - - /

RISING ACTION

A series of events leading up to the climax in a story. Each event increases tension a bit more.

ROUND CHARACTER

A many-sided (well-developed) character that the reader knows well. Often are present throughout a story/play.

SARCASM

Saying one thing, but meaning the opposite. Typically used for comedic effect. Example: “I totally love all these literary terms.”

SATIRE

A piece of literature that critiques/makes fun of the ways of society. May target certain leaders or society as a whole. Usually written to raise awareness and promote change. Ex: Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”

SEMANTIC FIELD

The use of a set of words related in meaning. Ex: In “A Healthy Meal”, various cooking terms are used.

SETTING

The time and place a story takes place. Setting also includes such details as weather, social conditions.

SIMILE

A straightforward comparison of two things using “like” or “as”. “I’m hungry as a hippo.” “Life is like a box of chocolates.”

SLANG

An informal way of speaking or writing, usually unacceptable for formal writing. “Bruh, there’s a test today–I’m cooked.”

SOLILOQUY

A monologue spoken by an actor when they are alone on stage. Reveals their innermost feelings and thoughts or motives. Ex: Macbeth hallucinating about the dagger.

SPEAKER

The voice recounting events in a poem (also: poetic voice). NOT narrator!

STANZA

A group of lines of poetry, set off by white space. Think of it as a ‘poetry paragraph’.

STATIC CHARACTER

A character that does not change from the beginning of a story to the end. Opposite of a dynamic character.

STEREOTYPE

An oversimplified or inaccurate belief or image that has been accepted by many as truth. Ex: Beauty expectation for women around thinness.

STOCK CHARACTER

A character with traits (gender, ethnic) easily recognized by the audience. One-dimensional, therefore requiring no development. Examples: The dumb cheerleader. The crazy cat lady.

STYLE

The characteristics of an author’s writing. Includes word choice and techniques they use. Ex: Formal/complex words, lots of extended metaphors…

SURPRISE ENDING

An ending meant to shock the reader.

SUSPENSE

A device used to make the audience/reader feel tense and want to know the outcome. Suspense is often a big part of the rising action.

SYMBOL/SYMBOLISM

An object/person that means more than what it literally is. Ex: The Stanley Cup, The Canadian Flag, different colours of roses. Symbolism is the action of using symbols in a piece of literature.

THEME

The message an author is trying to portray. Often a comment on society or life in general. Example: One theme of ‘The Lottery’ is blindly following tradition.

THESIS STATEMENT

A statement that presents the main argument of an essay (usually last sentence of intro).

THIRD PERSON P.O.V.

A view that relates action through she/he/they. Can be omniscient/limited omniscient/objective.

TONE

The speaker or narrator’s attitude towards a subject. Don’t confuse with mood, which is the feeling a work creates within the reader!

TRAGEDY

A dramatic or literary piece that deals with a serious topic. Usually the main character is brought to ruin, or suffers severe consequences in the 5th Act. Ex: Macbeth.

UNDERSTATEMENT

Stating something with less importance than it deserves. AKA: Making something seem less than it is. Ex: Stepping out into a torrential downpour and saying it is just drizzling.

VOICE

The “personality” that comes through in a work (from author or narrator). Made by tone, elements of style. Ex: Duffy has a critical and sarcastic voice. Created through her tone and style.

WIT

Intellectually amusing statements. Used to create a comedic tone in a work. “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” ~Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen.