lit terms quiz

allegory

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning.

alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words.

allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known.

ambiguity

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

antithesis

The opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.

aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle.

apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction.

atmosphere

The emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work.

caricature

A verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort a person’s distinctive physical features or characteristics.

clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.

colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.

conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy.

connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.

denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word.

diction

The writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

didactic

Words that have the primary aim of teaching or instructing.

euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.

extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.

figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning.

figure of speech

A device used to produce figurative language.

generic conventions

Traditions for each genre that help define each genre.

genre

The major category into which a literary work fits.

homily

A serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.

imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.

inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.

invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

irony/ironic

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant.

litotes

A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite.

loose sentence

A type of sentence in which the main idea comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units.

metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things.

metonymy

A figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.

mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.

narrative

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.

onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.

oxymoron

A figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms.

paradox

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory but contains some degree of truth.

parallelism

The grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.

anaphora

The exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.

parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

pedantic

Describing words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.

periodic sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.

personification

A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes.

point of view

The perspective from which a story is told.

prose

Fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.

repetition

The duplication of any element of language.

rhetoric

The principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

rhetorical modes

The variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing.

sarcasm

Bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule.

satire

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.

semantics

The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.

style

The sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.

subject complement

The word or clause that follows a linking verb and complements the subject.

subordinate clause

A clause that contains both a subject and a verb, but cannot stand alone.

syllogism

A deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises leading to a sound conclusion.

symbol/symbolism

Anything that represents itself and stands for something else.

synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.

synesthesia

When one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.

syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.

theme

The central idea or message of a work.

thesis

The sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author’s opinion.

tone

The author’s attitude toward his material or audience.

transition

A word or phrase that links different ideas.

understatement

The ironic minimalizing of fact.

wit

Intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights.