literary terms

Aside

brief remark or passage that is spoken by a character directly to the reader, or sometimes to another character, but is intended to be unheard by other characters in the poem

Climax

the peak of intensity or emotion, where the conflict, tension, or a series of ideas reaches its highest point

Dramatic irony

Where the reader knows more than a character, usually for tension

Exposition

providing background information to the reader, often to explain the setting, characters, or a specific event

Topic

central idea

Hubris

Egotistical/pride

Comic relief

poet introduces humor into a serious or dramatic work to provide a temporary break from tension

Reversal of fortune

sudden and unexpected change in a character's circumstances

Soliloquy

a speech that reveals a character's thoughts, emotions, and motivations

Monologue

A speech by one speaker (reveals thoughts and feelings)

Theme

the central idea, message, or underlying meaning

Logical appeals

the use of reason, facts, and structured arguments to persuade the reader

Tragic flaw

a character trait or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of a protagonist in a tragedy

Denotation

the literal, dictionary definition of a word, stripped of any emotional or cultural associations

Foreshadowing

Hinting at something good or bad coming up in the story

Emotional appeal

Persuading the reader through emotions

Foil

a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) to highlight their specific qualities, motivations, or flaws

Connotations

the emotional, cultural, and implied meaning a word carries beyond its literal definition