Literature Study Guide

Mood

Mood

Emotional atmosphere of a literary work

Tone

Author's attitude toward the subject

Theme

Central message or lesson in a literary work

Purpose

Reason for writing or creating a piece

Argument

Statement supported by evidence or reasoning

Central or main idea

Primary point conveyed in a text

Rhetorical question

Question posed for effect rather than an answer

Rhyme scheme

Pattern of rhymes in a poem

Rhythm

Pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables

Metrical feet

Basic unit of measurement in poetry

Iambic pentameter

Poetic meter with five iambs per line

Simile

Comparison using 'like' or 'as'

Metaphor

Implied comparison between unlike things

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

Allusion

Reference to a well-known person, event, or work

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statement or claim

Understatement

Expression of less importance than reality

Imagery

Visually descriptive language in literature

Personification

Attribution of human qualities to non-human entities

Onomatopoeia

Word imitating natural sounds

Connotation

Idea or feeling a word invokes beyond its literal meaning

Denotation

Literal or dictionary definition of a word

Juxtaposition

Placing two elements side by side for comparison

Vocabulary in context (prefixes, suffixes)

Understanding word parts to determine meaning