literacy terms 1

Age of Reason

A term for the Neo-Classic period (1660-1798) in English literature and the Revolutionary/early national period (1700-1820) in American literature. It emphasizes self-knowledge, rationalism, discipline, and the rule of law.

Allegory

A story with both a literal and figurative level, containing moral, social, or political meaning, often with characters who personify abstract ideas.

Alliteration

The repetition of initial identical consonant or vowel sounds in successive or closely associated words or syllables.

Allusion

A literary reference to a well-known person or event, which can be mythological, Biblical, or historical.

Anachronism

The false assignment of an event, person, scene, or language to a time when that thing did not exist.

Anagnorisis

In drama, the discovery of recognition.

Analogy

A point-by-point comparison of two things that are alike in many respects, used to explain an unfamiliar object or idea.

Anapest

A metrical foot consisting of three syllables: two unaccented followed by one accented (U U /). It is often fast-paced, bouncy, and referred to as a 'gallop' meter.

Anastrophe

The inversion of the usual, normal, or logical order of the parts of a sentence, commonly used in poetry to secure rhythm.

Antagonist

The character that stands directly in opposition to the chief character (protagonist).

Anti-climax

Occurs when an action produces far smaller results than expected; it is often used for comic effect.

Antihero

A protagonist who is markedly unheroic—morally weak, cowardly, dishonest, or possessing other unsavory qualities.

Antithesis

A figure of speech characterized by strongly contrasting words, clauses, or ideas, balanced by a similar grammatical structure.

Aphorism

A short, witty, or uniquely worded statement that expresses a profound truth.

Archaism

The deliberate use of old-fashioned or obsolete language.

Apostrophe

A figure of speech in which someone (usually absent), an abstract quality, or a nonexistent personage is addressed directly as though present.

Archetype

An original model, pattern, or type from which other things are created, such as a specific plot pattern or character type.

Aside

A dramatic technique where a character addresses the audience directly, intended to be unheard by other characters on stage.

Assonance

Resemblance or similarity in sound between vowels followed by different consonants in stressed syllables (e.g., 'lake' and 'fate').

Atmosphere

The emotional aura established through the combination of mood and setting.

Aubade

A lyric poem about dawn or a morning serenade, usually celebrating the joy of lovers parting at