Creative Writing All Terms

Allusion

A brief or indirect reference to something or someone historical, cultural, famous, literary, or otherwise significant.
Ex. You're a grinch

Analogy

A comparison of two distinctly different things. More elaborate that a simile or a metaphor. Used to explain one of the concepts to people new to that idea.
Ex. Sword is to warriors as pen is to a writer.

Aphorism

Truth expressed in a concise, witty moaner. Teaches a philosophical or moral lesson.
Ex. There is nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so.

Apostrophe

Speaking to someone who is not present, dead, imaginary, or an inanimate object. Used to reveal thoughts or feeling to the audience.
Ex. Hello Sunshine!

Colloquialism

Use of informal language, like slang in writing. Phrases are often regional or subject to time period. Used to establish voice or add realism.
Ex. Who dey.

Conceit

A comparison , using a simile or metaphor, of two extremely different things. Often surprising. Makes the audience look at things differently.
Ex. Love is like a fart. If you have to force it, it's probably crap.

Connotation

The implied meaning of a word. Cultural or emotional weight of a word. Positive or negative and is beyond the literal meaning.
Ex. Skinny has the connotation of being underweight.

Denotation

Literal meaning of the word. No emotions connected. Neutral definition.

Deus Ex Machina

Latin for "God from the machine". An unlikely or divine character r concept is introduced to the lot to resolve the conflict.

Dialect

Language used by people of the same region, class or other group. Used fo realism and color.
Ex. Jargon

Double Entendre

A phrase with more than one meaning or interpretation. One straightforward meaning and one inappropriate, risque, or ironic meaning. Often for humor.
Ex. That's what she said.

Epigram

Takes the form of a poem, quotation, or sentence. Found at the beginning of a document of literary work. By a different author. Serves as an introduction. Provides theme, comparison, or context.

Epiphany

Greek for appearance or manifestation. A moment of sudden realization, awareness, or knowledge for a character. Changes the perspectives of the story.

Epithet

Descriptive name. Emphasizes characteristics of the object, person or place. Also known as "by-line" or "descriptive title". Can be vibrant or insulting.
Ex. Alexander the great.

Euphemism

A polite of indirect replacement for harsh or politeness word or phrase. Loses its literal meaning. An example of an idiom. Used for politeness or humor.
Ex. Love Handles

Extended Metaphor

A direct comparison of two unlike things that extends into several sentences, paragraphs, or further. Intense emphasis on the comparison.

Foreshadowing

A hint of something to come later. Helps create expectations. It can be created using words, actions, or even chapter titles. Build anticipation.

Hyperbole

Greek for "over-casting". Extreme exaggeration for emphasis. Creates an amusing effect or emphasizes meaning.
Ex. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.

Idiom

A phrase or expression. Not meant to be taken literally. Vary in country and culture. Make the languages richer.

Imagery

Using figurative language to appeal to the 5 senses. Creates a picture of the experience for the audience. Makes the objects more vibrant.

Irony

A difference between expectation and reality.

Dramatic Irony

Type of irony where the audience knows more than the characters.

Situational Irony

Type of irony where difference in an expected outcome and real outcome

Verbal Irony

Type of irony where there is a difference in intended meaning and wording.

Jargon

Specific words or phrases used in particular situations, professions, or trades. Specialized terminology. Standardized by subject, occupation or business.

Juxtaposition

Placing two or more ideas, places, characters, or other things next to each other. Forces a comparison of two or more often unlike things. Reveals meaning.

Metaphor

Direct comparison of two or more things. Forces a comparison of the traits of each thing. Adds meaning to the things being compared.

Metonymy

Using something closely related to a thing instead of the thing itself. Develops symbolism. Produces conciseness.

oxymoron

Two opposite ideas are joined for effect. Produces dramatic effect that doesn't make literal sense. Always two opposing words join.

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but hold some truth. Used to make the reader think through an idea in an innovative way. More complex than an oxymoron.

Personification

A non-human thing is given human attributes. Usually a short phrase with the object performing a "human" verb.

Simile

Comparison of two different things using like or as. Direct comparison. Create vivid descriptions.

Slang

Words that are not part of standard language. Words commonly used in speech rather than writing. Can indicate culture, region, group, or other marker

Stream of Consciousness

A method of narration that flows directly from the though ts of the characters. Gives the reader the impression of being in a characters mind.

Symbolism

One real object or character takes on the meaning of another as well as its own. Symbols take on the ideas and qualities of the other.

Synecdoche

Using a part of something to represent the hole. Or using larger groups to represent the smaller ones. Draws readers' attention to specific attributes or intended meaning.

Trope

Non-literal use of a word or phrase. Figure of speech. Any attempt to create meaning beyond the literal or denoted.

Vernacular

The collection of words or phrases that make up specific time, place, and contextual speech. Might be formal or informal. Lends accuracy and voice to a story.

Exposition

Introduces essential story elements like setting, characters, conflict and context

Inciting Incident

An event or incident that upsets the stasis of the setting or the context established.

Rising action

A series of events that create suspense, interest or tension. Moves the conflict closer to the crisis.

Climax

Greek for ladder. Point of highest tension. The crisis comes to a head. The deciding moment

Falling Action

Resolves the fallout of the climax, ties up the loose ends and leads to closure.

Resolution or Denouement

French meaning is to untie. Finishes the complicated plot. Placement with the story depends on the type of story being told.

Audience

To whom the writer's is written. The audience informs the writer's choices. Can extend into different groups and subgroups.

Characters

Drive the plot and their attributes create the conflict, suspense and audience anticipation.

Conflict

Necessary for the plot. Can be internal or external.

Dialogue

Two or more character engaged in a conversation. Passage is punctuated to slow speech. Provides characterization, authenticity, and voice.

Diction

Word choice of the author. Style of speaking or writing. Can separate good work from bad. Basis of tone, mood, theme, setting, atmosphere, etc.

Mood

Evoked feelings or vibes. Often called atmosphere. Created with setting, tone, theme and diction. Equivalent of background music in a movie or tv show.

Motif

Object of idea the repeats throughout a story. Contributes to the development of a theme.

Plot

Series of events that make the story. Sequence change according to story's purpose.

Point of View

Audience/speaker relationship. The perspective of the speaker at any point in the story.

Setting

Includes geographical place, social conditions, historical context, weather, immediate surroundings or timing.

Subplot

A secondary story line that often runs parallel to the main plot. Known as the minor or the B story. Adds complexity and depth. Can inform the main plot.

Theme

Main idea of a story, stated directly or indirectly. Can be major and/or minor within a story. Not the subject but an opinion expressed about the subject.

Tone

The atitude of the writer toward the subject. Conveyed through choice of words or viewpoint. To be described with any number of emotions.

Voice

Form or format through which the author tells the story. Uniqueness of the story teller. Imparts personality to the work and the subjects.

Antagonist

A character, or group of characters who stand in opposition to the protagonist.

Anthropomorphism

Giving an animal or object character human qualities and traits.

Anti-Hero

Character with attributes that are the opposite of a typical protagonist. Can be used to relate to the audience.

Archetype

A "typical" character, action or situation. Represents universal patterns of human nature. Often flat characters.

Caricature

Particular aspects of a character or subject are exaggerated. Used for sjlly or comic effect.

Direct Characterization

when a speaker, narrator, or character describes a character directly.

Indirect Characterization

When the behavior, speech, appearance, actions and other information of character are described.

Dynamic Charcter

Change who change throughout the story. Faces trials and tribulation. Learns from experiences and mistakes.Most like round as well.

Flat character

Lacks emotional depth. Only given one or two traits. Undergoes little or no change. Considered part of the setting.

Foil

Shows qualities that are in contrast with another character. Enhances the importance of the other characters. From the practice of backing gems with foil so they shine brighter.

Hero

Principal character of a story. Accomplishes fears an

Allegory

Abstract ideas and principles are expressed with characters, figures, events and plot. The story itself symbolizes larger concepts or ideas like Christianity, knowledge, communism and morality.

Didactism

A philosophy that stories should convey lessons, instructions and information. Stories are not just for entertainment. These stories take a side in a complex question.

Dystopia

A narrative world where everything is imperfect. A nightmarish image of what the world could be. Can be a severe warning for path humanity might be on already.

Epistolary

The writer uses one or more of the following to tell a story : Letters, journals, diaries, newspapers clippings, blogs, emails and broadcasts

Fable

A concise, brief story. Intended to impart a moral. Didactic. Often uses animals characters.

Fantasy

The plot cannot exist in the real world. Often uses witchcraft, magic, other worlds or planets, mythical beings or creatures.

Farce

A comedy. Highly exaggerated situations. Intended for entertainment. Uses physical humor, deliberate absurdity, bawdy jokes, drunkenness, one-dimensional characters.

Folklore

Collection of literature that represents a culture. Can include stories, myths, jokes,songs, illustrations,poetry, proverbs.

Frame Story

Story set within a story. Provides context and unifies multiple narrative threads. Shift in perspective can reveal the purpose of the story.

Legend

Blend of myth and historical fact. Centered on a specific person or figure. Fills in historical gaps with often exaggerated emphasis on the person's traits.

Myth

Traditional story often concerning an event or hero. With or without factual basis. Often concern gods, demigods, or deities. Describes rites, practices, or natural phenomenon. Often cultural.

Parable

Short story with a moral, often passed down by elders, expresses universal truth, often used in religious texts, can be in verse or prose.

Parody

Imitation of a writer, artist, or particular genre. Exaggerations for comedic effect. Often use caricatures of characters to highlight them or the ideas they symbolize.

Pastiche

Imitation of a writer, artist or genre. Not intended for comedy. Its purpose is to honor the piece that it is imitating

Realism

An effort to make art as much like real life as possible. Removes fantasy, romanticism, elaborate imagery, figurative language or idealism

Satire

A technique used to criticize an individual or society's corruption, foolishness, follies or foibles. Using humor, exaggeration or irony.

Science Fiction

Based on scientific principles, but exaggerated. Often set in an imagined future or another world entirely. Can be used to make a point about society or other larger concepts. Can be just for entertainment.

Surrealism

Confuses reality and imagination. Irrational juxtaposition of images. Often a reaction or a response to a world the author sees as irrational. Intended to horrify or confuse audiences. Blurring conscious and subconscious. Often "dream-like"

Tragedy

The plot follows the fall of a dignified character. The fall itself is dignified. Origins in Greek theater. the tragedy is often brought on by a tragic flaw in the main character, such as hubris.

Vignette

A small impressionistic scene. Hints that it is part of a larger picture. Carefully crafted to create the impression of a larger idea.

Poetry

Written chosen and arranged to create a certain emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm.

Lines

- May be short or long
- Are not necessarily complete sentences or thoughts
- Defines the form of your poem

Stanza

- a group of lines whose rhyme scheme is usually followed throughout the poem.
- A division in poetry like a paragraph in prose.
- Free verse poems follow no rules regarding where to divide.

Couplet

- Two lines of rhyme
- A complete idea is usually expressed in one of these
- May be humorous or serious

Narrative Poem

- Tells a story, told in verse by a speaker or narrator
- There is a plot... something happens and because of this, something else happens
- Can be true or fictional
- Poems vary in treatment or character and settings.

Ballad

- A narrative, rhyming poem or song.
- Characterized by short stanzas and simple words, usually telling a heroic and/or tragic story
- Can be long
- Usually rich with imagery
- Originated from folk songs that told exciting or dramatic stories.

Epic

-Very long narrative poem that tells the adventure of a hero
- Purpose is to help the reader understand the past and be inspired to choose good over evil
- Usually focuses on the heroism of one person who is a symbol of strength, virtue, and courage in the face of conflict

Lyric Poetry

- Always expresses some emotion
- Poems are shorter than epic poems
- tend to express the personal feelings of one speaker
- Give you a feeling that they could be sung

sonnet

- Most are in a fixed form of 14 lines of 10 syllables, usually written in iambic pentameter
- The theme of the pom is summed up in the last two line
- Can be about any subject, but usually about love and or philosophy

Ode

- a tribute to someone or something
- often uses exalted language in praise or celebration
- can be serious or humorous

Elegy

- To express grief or mourning for someone who has died
- Somber, serious, ending on a peaceful note