Lit Terms 1- Honors English 12

Allegory

A narrative or piece that has a second meaning beneath the primary meaning. There is a literal meaning and a figurative meaning.

Alliteration

Repitition of inital identical sounds.

Allusion

An indirect reference to something, the reader is expected to be familiar with it.

Analogy

A comparison between two things, and one helps explain the other.

Anecdote

A interesting or amusing story about a real life incident/person.

Archetype

A character, situation, or symbol that reoccurs in literature and other artforms.

Aside

Dramatic convention where the actor directly addresses the audience, but no other actors on stage.

Assonance

Repitition of a vowel sound. Within two or more words.

Catharsis

The purging of negative emotions caused by watching tragic events.

Characterization

The method an author uses to develop a character.

Circular Plot

The protaganist returns to a similar situation like the one at the beginning of the story.

Colloquialism

Expressions or language that is only appropriate for casual writing and speaking.

Connotation

Implied meaning of the dictonary definition.

Consonance

Repitition of consonants within two or more words.

Diction

Word choice

Dramatic Irony

Tension created by the contrast between what the character thinks/knows and what the audience knows.

Figurative Language

Nonliteral language, language that are figures of speech.

Foreshadowing

Hinting at future events in the plot

Foil

A character who has opposite weaknesses and strengths of another character, therefore highlightimg the strengths and weaknesses of the other character.

Hyperbole

Concious exaggeration used for a heightening effect.