English IV Academic Vocabulary

Archetype

a very typical example of a certain person or thing

Epic

a long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, __narrating__ the __deeds__ and adventures of __heroic__ or legendary figures or the history of a nation

Epic Hero

the main character of an epic poem that tells the story of a grand quest in which they use their extraordinary or superhuman abilities to achieve great things

Oral Tradition

a form of human communication wherein knowledge, art, ideas and cultural material is received, preserved, and transmitted orally from one generation to another. The transmission is through speech or song and may include folktales, ballads, chants, prose or poetry.

Epic Poetry

a lengthy narrative poem typically about the extraordinary deeds of extraordinary characters who, in dealings with gods or other superhuman forces, gave shape to the mortal universe for their descendants.

Kenning

a compound expression in Old English and Old Norse poetry with __metaphorical__ meaning, e.g. *oar-steed* = ship.

Audience

the assembled spectators or listeners at a public event, such as a play, movie, concert, or meeting

Character/Characterization

the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character

Climax

the point at which the highest level of interest and emotional response is achieved

Conflict

a major literary element of narrative or dramatic structure that creates challenges in a story by adding uncertainty as to whether the goal will be achieved

Dialogue

any communication between two characters—generally spoken out loud, though there are exceptions to this rule, denoted by question marks

Digression

a section of a composition or speech that marks a temporary shift of subject

Genre

a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by __similarities__ in form, style, or subject matter

Juxtaposition

the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with __contrasting__ effect

Metaphor

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable

Narration

the action or process of __narrating__ a story

Point of View

the writer's way of deciding who is telling the story to whom

Theme

the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person's thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic

Alliteration

the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words

Elegy

a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead

Foreshadow

be a warning or indication of (a future event

Comitatus

a body of wellborn men attached to a king or chieftain by the duty of military service

Symbolism

the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities

Scop

an Old English bard or poet

Wyrd

a concept in Anglo-Saxon culture roughly corresponding to fate or personal destiny