Literary Terms and Definitions

studied byStudied by 4 people
0.0(0)
Get a hint
Hint

Alliteration

1 / 48

encourage image

There's no tags or description

Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.

49 Terms

1

Alliteration

The repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words in a sentence or line.

New cards
2

Extended Metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences or lines.

New cards
3

Metonymy

A figure of speech where one word or phrase is substituted for another closely associated with it.

New cards
4

Synecdoche

A figure of speech where a part represents the whole, or vice versa.

New cards
5

Imbedded Stage Direction

Stage directions written into the dialogue itself, describing actions characters take while speaking.

New cards
6

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally.

New cards
7

Suspense

The feeling of excitement or tension about what will happen next in a story.

New cards
8

Comic Relief

A humorous scene or speech in a serious story meant to lighten the mood.

New cards
9

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create sentences.

New cards
10

Verbal Irony

When what is said is the opposite of what is meant.

New cards
11

Situational Irony

When what happens is the opposite of what was expected.

New cards
12

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something the characters do not.

New cards
13

Motif

A recurring symbol, theme, or idea in a story.

New cards
14

Theme

The central message or idea in a story.

New cards
15

Allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event.

New cards
16

Symbolism

Using symbols to represent ideas or concepts.

New cards
17

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.

New cards
18

Figurative Language

Using figures of speech like metaphors, similes, or personification to convey meaning.

New cards
19

Personification

Giving human characteristics to non-human things.

New cards
20

Simile

A comparison using 'like' or 'as'.

New cards
21

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things.

New cards
22

Pun

A play on words, often for humorous effect.

New cards
23

Euphemism

A polite or indirect expression used to replace something harsh or blunt.

New cards
24

Narrative Voice/Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told.

New cards
25

Limited Third Person Narration

The narrator knows only the thoughts and feelings of one character.

New cards
26

Omniscient Narration

The narrator knows everything about all characters and events.

New cards
27

Unreliable Narrator

A narrator whose credibility is compromised.

New cards
28

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject.

New cards
29

Mood

The feeling or atmosphere that a story creates for the reader.

New cards
30

Vocal Pitch

The highness or lowness of a speaker's voice.

New cards
31

Inflection

The change in the pitch or tone of a speaker's voice.

New cards
32

Inciting Incident

The event that sets the story in motion.

New cards
33

Climax

The most intense or important point in the story.

New cards
34

Resolution

The conclusion of the story, where conflicts are resolved.

New cards
35

Denouement

The final part of a story where everything is explained or resolved.

New cards
36

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but reveals some truth or insight.

New cards
37

Diction

The writer's choice of words.

New cards
38

Monologue

A long speech given by one character in a play or story.

New cards
39

Soliloquy

A speech where a character expresses their inner thoughts aloud, often while alone on stage.

New cards
40

Aside

A comment made by a character in a play that is meant to be heard by the audience but not by other characters.

New cards
41

Breaking the Fourth Wall

When a character directly addresses the audience, breaking the imaginary barrier between the stage and the audience.

New cards
42

Tragic Hero

A character who starts high but falls due to a flaw or mistake, leading to their downfall.

New cards
43

Poetry

A type of literature that combines words and visual elements in a structured format, often with rhyme and meter.

New cards
44

Sonnet

A 14-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and is often associated with English poetry.

New cards
45

Meter

The rhythmic structure of lines in poetry, made up of stressed and unstressed syllables.

New cards
46

Blank Verse

Poetry that has a regular meter but no rhyme.

New cards
47

Iambic Pentameter

A common meter in English poetry, with five pairs of alternating stressed and unstressed syllables per line.

New cards
48

End Rhyme

When the last words or syllables of two lines of poetry rhyme.

New cards
49

Volta

A turn or shift in the theme or tone of a poem, especially in sonnets.

New cards

Explore top notes

note Note
studied byStudied by 83 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 16332 people
... ago
4.9(156)
note Note
studied byStudied by 131 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 13 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 208 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 35 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 81 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 41100 people
... ago
4.9(218)

Explore top flashcards

flashcards Flashcard (85)
studied byStudied by 3 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (21)
studied byStudied by 13 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (98)
studied byStudied by 26 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (100)
studied byStudied by 10 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (61)
studied byStudied by 6 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (63)
studied byStudied by 7 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (67)
studied byStudied by 25 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (31)
studied byStudied by 5 people
... ago
5.0(1)
robot