Literary Terms to Start the year

Allegory

a story that offers both a literal and figurative interpretation. The story is symbolic on every level: characters, plot, theme

Allusion

Reference to something outside of the work, usually mythical, Biblical, cultural, or historical…for added meaning

Alliteration

Repetition of the beginning consonant sound. Ex. Rough and ready, Peter Piper.

Apostrophe

addressing something that is dead, not human, or nor present

Anachronism

The placing of a person, event, or thing outside of its historical era. Most often purposeful

Archetype

Narratives, designs, patterns, or character types often found in literature.

Assonance

repetition of vowel sounds

Connotation

The suggested or implied meaning of a word. Can be a part of slang, or all the emotions or feelings a word arouses, such as negative feelings about 'pig.'

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Diction

word choice

Elements of Plot

Exposition-the conflict, setting, and conflict are introduced. Rising Action- the action builds on the exposition Complications- events that are added to build on the tension Climax-the point of the highest tension/turning point Falling Action- immediately follows climax-immediate consequences Dénouement/Resolution-the final scene where the plot ends.

Epithet

A word or phrase used in place of a person's name to help characterize the person.

Figurative Language

Language that is not literal-it is used for added meaning and effect. Similes, metaphors, and personification are examples of figurative language.

Foil

a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character

Foreshadowing

The use of clues that suggest events yet to come.

Genre

A French word meaning form or type. Literary genres can be novels, short stories, essays, poems, plays.

Hyperbole

Exaggerating or stretching the truth for literary effect. "My shoes are killing me!"

Imagery

Words that describe sights, sounds, movements ...to recreate sensory experience.

Situational Irony

When something is different than it is supposed to be or thought to be. In this kind of irony, a story turns or ends in an unexpected, unusual, or unforeseen way. This kind of irony is often used for a "shock" or "Surprise" effect.

Dramatic Irony

In this kind of irony, the reader or viewer knows more than the speaker or character. This kind of irony is often used to create suspense.

Verbal Irony

In this kind of irony, the literal or actual meaning of what is said is the opposite of the implied. This kind of irony can be used to create a comedic or dramatic effect.

Juxtaposition

An intentional placing close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast. A comedic scene following a dramatic one is an example

Implied or Indirect Metpahor

when an indirect comparison is made between two different things. Ex: The angry boss barked at everyone this morning.

Named or Direct Metaphor

a direct comparison is made between two different things. Ex: My boss is such a dog!

Meter

A recognized pattern of beats and stresses in verse

Mood

the feeling or atmosphere of a work

Motif

A specific element, event, or thing that reoccurs through a specific work for added meaning

Onomatopoeia

The use of words that imitate sounds, as in buzz, hiss, or woot.

Oxymoron

Two contradictory words that, when used together, create new meaning. Examples: icy fire or sweet sorrow. It can also be a compound word like bittersweet, which is made up of antonyms.

Paradox

A statement that seems to be contradictory but that actually presents a truth when put into context.

Personification

Giving human characteristics to a non-human thing or substance.

Pun

A play on words when a word has more than one meaning.

Repetition

repeating the same words, phrases, or passages for emphasis

Rhyme

repetition of the same STRESSES sounds at the end of words (not necessarily the line, since rhyme can occur in prose and poetry).

Satire

poking fun at a social institution, person, ideology in hopes of changing it or at least exposing or flaws. These can be lighthearted or dark and critical.

Simile

A comparison of two UNLIKE things using a comparative word like 'like' or 'as' or "seems." Love is like a rose.

Symbol

A tangible thing that represents an intangible one. Pay attention to how people/characters treat these objects as it reveals how these people feel about what the object represents.

Syntax

the order of words in the sentence

Theme

Universal truth or idea supported throughout a story. Themes should be a full idea or statement-not a word

Tone

The writer or speaker's attitude towards the subject matter of the work.

Understatement

De-emphasizing something in hopes of drawing attention to it.