Sports Literature and Literary Analysis Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering literary terms, tactics, narrative styles, arguments, and interdisciplinary learning concepts from Sports Literature lecture notes.

Preposition

A word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence (e.g., in, on, at, by, with, from, to, for, about, through).

Genre

A category or type of literature, such as poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama, or memoir.

Empathy

The ability to understand or share the feelings and experiences of another person.

Iambic Pentameter

A poetic meter consisting of five iambs per line, where each iamb consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable ($da\text{-}DUM$).

Authorial Intent

What the author intended or meant when creating a work.

Hyperbole

A deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally.

Metaphor

A comparison of one thing to another to communicate an idea or feeling, without using "like" or "as".

Interdisciplinary Learning

An educational approach that combines two or more disciplines into a single course or activity.

I-Search Paper

A self-exploration research project focused on a question that matters personally to the student researcher.

Reticence and Indirectness

A literary tactic of approaching a subject in a hesitant or indirect manner rather than stating it directly.

Foreshadowing

A clue provided by the author suggesting that something will become important or happen later in a story.

Alliteration

The repetition same beginning consonant sound in nearby words. Ex. Sally Sailed Sea

Interrogative Note

A literary opening tactic that begins with questions to establish an uncertain, anxious, or suspicious tone.

Copula

Two opposite terms are joined by the word "and", presenting them on equal standing. Ex. He was hot and cold

Symbolism

Where an object, person, or element represents a deeper meaning beyond its definition.

Parataxis

The practice of putting clauses or ideas next to each other without explaining their connection Ex. I am black, I am a superhero, I fought a shark.

Universal Truth

A statement/ idea that is universally true or accepted Ex. Love hurts

Simile

Comparing two things using the words "like" or "as".

Conflict

The struggle or problem between opposing forces in a narrative.

Irony

What happens or is said is different from what is expected. Ex. You flirt with a girl but she has a boyfriend.

Theme

The main idea, message, lesson in a story

Plot

The sequence of events in a story

Context

The background information helps you understand the text

Story Arc

The development of a story from the beginning to end.

Exposition

The beginning of story that introduces characters, setting, and situations

Rising Action

The moments and situations that build to climax

Climax

The highest peak of conlfict in a story

Falling Action

Events after the climax and conflict winds down

Resolution

The conflict most times is resolved, end of story

Claim

The main point or poistion

Reasons

Explanations thats show why the claim is true.

Evidence

Facts, statistics, research findings, or examples show why reasons are true.

Pathos

Persuade readers emotions

Logos

appeals to reason, evidence, logic.

Ethos

appeal to trustworthiness and creditability

Denotation

The exact, dictionary definition of a word

Connotation

The feelings, ideas, and cultural associations attached to a word. Ex. Shark= attack, kill, voilent

Inference

A conclusion based on evidence and clues

Personification

Give human traits, behaviors, or emotions to non-human entities or objects.

Idiom

A phrase that means something different from the actual words. Ex. It is hot as the devils butt

Cliché

An overused phrase, opinion, or idea

Mood

The feeling or atmosphere the text creates for the reader.

Tone

The author's feelings or attitude toward a subject or reader.Ex. “I was scared to go to school. Tone:fear

Sensory Details

The text appeal directly to readers sight, sound, smell, taste, or touch. Ex. The fire was bright red, the air smell like burnt wood.

Direct Characterization

The author describes a character's traits or motives directly to the audience.

Indirect Characterization

The author shows you what a character is like and the reader interprets it.

Narrative

Who is talking and what point of view is being used.

First-Person Narrator

Narrator is a character in the story.

Uses: I/we

Second-Person Narrator

Uses you.
Rare in literature; common in instructions/recipes.

Third-Person Omniscient Narrator

Narrator knows the thoughts of ALL characters.

Third-Person Limited Narrator

Narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of SOME characters.

Third-Person Familiar Narrator

Narrator gives characters’ histories/backgrounds but does not give their thoughts.

Third-Person Objective Narrator

Narrator reports what happens without thoughts or character histories(back story)

Unreliable Narrator

A narrator who tells events in a way that may be untrue or distorted.

Third Person

Narrator is outside the story.
Uses he/she/they.

5 types of Indirect Charaization

• Appearance

• Actions

• Speech/dialogue

• Private thoughts/feelings

• Reactions of others

Apperance

What a character looks like can reveal information about them.

Actions

What a character does can reveal personality, motives, or values.

Speech/Dialogue

What a character says can reveal personality and beliefs.

Private Thoughts/Feelings

A character’s internal thoughts can reveal motives and emotions.

Reactions of Others

How others respond to character can reveal something about the character.