Literature and Language Terminology

Allegory

A narrative in which characters, setting, symbols, have both literal and figurative meanings

Allusion

A reference to a person, place, poem, book, event which is not part of the story that the author expects the reader will recognize

Analogy

A comparison between things, people, places that are similar in order to pont out the dissimilarities

Apostrophe

Figure of speech in which a thing, abstract quality or absent or imaginary person is addressed as if present and able to understand

Audience

Person or persons who are intended to read a piece of writing

Characterization

The methods an author uses to present people in the book. Can be physical description, what the character says, his or her actions, what the other characters say

Climax

Turning point of action when the reader's interest reaches a peak

Conflict

Struggle between opposing forces that is the basis of the plot
Internal conflict - Man vs. Self
External conflict - Man vs. Man, Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Society

Contrast

Clarify something by showing it against its opposite

Diction

The choice the author makes about which word to use like formal, informal, figurative, ect

Euphemism

Word or phrase that is less expressive or direct but less offensive or distasteful

Farce

A broad comedy, dependent on overblown speech, unbelievable situations, exaggerated characters, and frequently, sexual innuendos

Figurative Language

words and phrases that have meanings different from their usual ones in order to create poetic or literary effect

Flashback

A scene that interrupts the ongoing action in a story to show an event that happened earlier

Foreshadowing

Use of hints or clues in a story to suggest what action is to come. It is often used to create interest or build suspense.

Hyperbole

Figure of speech in which truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect

Imagery

Words, phrases, which create vivid sensory experiences
A. (Auditory) - Sound
B. (Gustatory) - Taste
C. (Kinesthetic) - bodily tension and movement
D. (Olfactory) - Smell
E. (Organic) - Internal Feelings (heart beat)
F. (Tactile) - Touch
G. (Visual) - Sight, most images

Irony (Dramatic)

Reader knows more than characters

Irony (Situational)

Contrast between what is expected and what actually happens

Irony (Verbal)

State one thing mean another

Juxtaposition

The placement of two dissimilar items, people, thoughts, places, next to one another to emphasize the differences or heighten the similarities.

Metaphor

A comparison of two things that are basically dissimilar in which one of described in terms of the other.

Mood

The emotional aspect of the work which contributes to the feeling the reader gets from the book.

Motif

Recurring word, phrase, image, object, idea, or action

Onomatopoeia

Echoic words whose pronunciation suggest their meaning

Paradox

Statement that seems contradictory or ridiculous but is quite true (cruel kindness)

Paralelism

Expression of ideas of equal worth with the same grammatical form, sentence of identical structure

Parody

A mocking piece of literature that is designed to ridicule the subject in an exaggerated, often sarcastic way.

Personification

Object, animal or idea given human characteristics

Plot

Sequence of action and events in a piece of literature,

Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

Point of View (POV)

Perspective from which events in story are told
First person - character in the story
Third person - person voice outside the story
Third person omniscient - narrator all knowing, objective observer outside action and reports
Third person limited - outside action of the story, focuses on one character's thoughts

Prose

All forms of written or spoken expression that lack rhythmic pattern, anything written in paragraph form

Pun

An expression that achieves emphasis or humor by utilizing two distinctly different meanings for the same word.

Satire

Making fun of foolish ideas, customs, society, government, ect

Setting

When and where the short story, play, or novel takes place. Also includes circumstances

Simile

A comparison between two different things using either like or as.

Structure

Way piece of literature is put together, arrangement of parts, ex.
Paragraphs, chapters, acts, lines, stanzas

Symbol/Symbolism

An object, person, or place that has a meaning in itself and also stands for something larger than itself, usually an idea or concept

Theme

The central or dominant idea behind the story that the author wants to get across to the reader

Tone

The attitude of the author in a literary work