memory test eng

allusion

an implied reference to a person, event in history, literature, pop culture intended to enhance meaning or tone

analogy

a comparison between two things that are similar or parallel

alliteration

repetition of consonants at the beginning of words

allegory

a story with double-meaning, surface level meaning and symbolic meaning of something larger; closely related to fable and parable

anecdote

a brief account or story of a person or incident often used to support an idea or argument

antagonist

the character who opposes the protagonist

antithesis

juxtaposition of contrasting or opposing ideas in balanced phrases/clauses

aside

in drama, an actor speaks private thoughts intended only for the audience to hear

cliché

a trite, over-used expression that has lost most of its meaning

colloquial language

plain, everyday use of language, not academic, and sometimes vague or ambiguous

connotation

the social and emotional meaning attached to words

context

situation in time and space

denotation

the dictionary definition of a word; the most literal meaning of a word

expository

a type of writing or oral text meant to give information, describe, inform (to expose)

euphemism

substitution of a gentler or more agreeable word for a harsh or disagreeable term (connotation is more positive in a euphemism)

figurative language

language that uses figures of speech such as metaphor, simile, alliteration, etc.

foil

a character in a narrative that contrasts with another

foreshadow

a technique of arranging events in a narrative to suggest what will occur later

form

the structure of a text

genre

a literary type of class e.g.: Gothic, tragedy, comedy

hyperbole

a figure of speech that exaggerates for emphasis

imagery

the use of language to represent objects, actions, feelings, thoughts, ideas, states of mind, or any sensory experience

irony

incongruity between actions and results, appearance and reality; verbal, situational, or dramatic irony

juxtaposition

the placing of words, ideas, events side by side for contrast, comparison, or emphasis

metaphor

an implied comparison; figurative language

mood

the feeling created in the reader by narrative elements; also known as atmosphere

motif

a recurrent image or verbal pattern in a narrative connected to theme

oxymoron

a figure of speech combining contradictory words for special effect e.g.: an honest thief

paradox

seemingly contradictory ideas that reveal some truth

parody

a form of imitation using words, style, attitude, tone to make the subject matter seem ridiculous

pathetic fallacy

extraordinary or false appearances, whereby human feelings are transferred to the inanimate

personification

the attribution of human qualities to inanimate objects

persuasion

a form of writing meant to sway a readers’ beliefs, feelings, and/or actions

plot

the plan or design of events in a narrative

protagonist

the principal character in a narrative

rhetorical question

a question not expecting an answer

rhetoric

the art of using language for persuasion

setting

time and place in a narrative

simile

a comparison using “like” or “as”

soliloquy

a speech given alone by a character in a drama, whereby they reveal thoughts and feelings

symbol

an object that stands for something else

syntax

sentence construction

theme

the central idea of a work of fiction

thesis

the position or opinion of an author in a work of non-fiction

tone

the writer’s attitude (determined by the diction)

tragedy

a literary form concerned with fortunes and misfortunes

voice

an author or narrator’s manner or style of express