HSC English Advanced Literary and Poetic Terms Glossary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering literary and poetic terms and techniques from the lecture notes.

Allegory

To present an idea or subject not directly, but by means of symbols, so it can be understood at two levels: the story level and the deeper real meaning level.

Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of two or more consecutive, or nearly consecutive, words.

Allusion

Referring to something in passing, assuming that the audience is familiar with the reference to mythology, history, religion, or literature.

Analogy

The drawing of a comparison between things that are partially similar.

Anti-climax

A failed climax that occurs when details are added that weaken, rather than strengthen, the climax.

Antithesis

A form of contrast where opposing ideas are balanced against each other.

Apostrophe

A technique where the speaker or writer suddenly addresses a person or thing not present to concentrate the attention of the audience on a particular idea or emotion.

Argument

The marshalling of a series of points with supporting evidence with the intention of convincing the audience of the truth of some statement or idea.

Assonance

The use of a series of similar vowel sounds in words that occur in the same sentence or phrase.

Atmosphere

The creation of a particular environment in which the surrounding feelings and actions of characters all combine to convey a definite impression.

Audience

Any person or persons whom the speaker or writer intends should hear, see, or read the communication.

Accumulation

The accumulation of images or ideas, one after the other, so that each reinforces the other, producing an effect stronger than any part taken by itself.

Bathos

A failed attempt to arouse the feelings of the audience by an appeal to their emotions, causing laughter when intended to move deeply.

Bias

The tendency to present one side of an argument unfairly, or to be so prejudiced that you cannot accept any points against your own ideas.

Circumlocution

A fault in expression where the person goes round and round in circles, either never getting to the point or confusing and boring the audience.

Cliché

A tired, worn-out phrase or expression that through overuse has become almost meaningless.

Climax

The peak to which ideas and actions build, or the most exciting or important part of a play, novel, or poem.

Colloquial language

Everyday, informal spoken language that most people use in ordinary communications.

Connotations

The implied associated meanings that a word collects about itself as it is used in language over a period of time.

Contrast

Occurs when an idea or image is set against another in order to emphasise some particular quality.

Criticism

The systematic examination of any form of communication in order to discover its strengths and weaknesses.

Ellipsis

The omission of words necessary to complete the sentence grammatically, while the audience understands the meaning from the remaining words.

Emphasis

Increasing the importance or significance of a word, image, or idea using techniques like juxtapositioning or repetition.

Enjambment

A technique in poetry where one line runs over and finishes on the next.

Epigram

A small poem or verse containing a wise or witty statement or ingenious turn of thought.

Euphemism

The use of a mild, indirect, or vague expression instead of an embarrassing, harsh, or upsetting one.

Feeling

The creation of a certain emotion by the writer or speaker in the audience, closely associated with mood.

Generalisations

Sweeping statements that cannot, in most cases, be literally true.

Hyperbole

The use of extravagant exaggeration for a certain effect, not meant to be taken literally.

Imagery

The creation in the imagination of a powerful impression that uses the senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste.

Inversion

The change in normal word order to emphasise or give particular importance to an idea or image.

Irony

Subtle mockery or humour that implies the opposite to the normal or apparent meaning of the word, phrase, or statement.

Dramatic irony

Occurs when the audience is aware of some significant fact that the characters of a play are not.

Journalese

The level of language associated with the press, characterized by the use of clichés, colloquial structures, and repetitious images.

Levels of language

The two broad divisions of language usage into formal (very correct) and informal (relaxed and conversational).

Metaphor

A comparison in which something is said to be something else in order to vividly present a shared quality.

Extended metaphor

Occurs when a comparison originally made in a metaphor is continued or sustained for some time.

Metonymy

The substitution of one single word to stand for an idea eg The white house for the president

Mood

The creation in the audience of a state of mind that is made up of certain feelings and emotions.

Objectivity

The viewpoint of a person who does not allow personal feelings and opinions to influence judgements.

Onomatopoeia

The creation or use of words that attempt to sound like the thing they represent; also called echoic words.

Paradox

A statement or situation that seems to be absurd, yet, upon close examination, is found to be true and logical.

Parody

A close but mocking imitation of a writer's style or work.

Pathos

The creation of strong pity and sympathy for someone or something.

Persona

The personality that the writer or speaker pretends to be, taken from the Latin word for mask.

Personification

Treating abstract ideas or inanimate objects as if they were people with separate personalities and qualities.

Persuasive language

Language techniques used to create emotions in the audience to change attitudes, opinions, or modify behaviour; also called coloured, emotive, or affective language.

Pun

A deliberate play on words relying on the fact that English words often have more than one distinct meaning.

Repetition

The deliberate use of a word, idea, phrase, or image over and over again to increase impact or paint a more vivid picture.

Rhetorical questions

Questions included to direct attention and emphasise an idea, not intended to be answered.

Rhyme

Words or syllables that have the same, or very similar, sounds.

Rhythm

A regular pattern of stresses and pauses in language, where certain words and syllables receive emphasis.

Satire

A work in which faults in society are held up to ridicule with an underlying seriousness to make the audience aware of their existence.

Simile

A comparison where the words like or as appear.

Style

The individual way in which a person expresses himself or herself when using language.

Subjectivity

The viewpoint taken when a person allows personal feelings and opinions to colour their way of looking at something.

Symbolism

An image representing an idea that stands for more than the word deserves.

Tautology

The use of too many words to express an idea.

Theme

The main idea behind a poem, novel, film, play, speech, or address.

Tone

A particular quality expressed in a communication that gives a strong indication of the communicator's attitude towards the subject.

Understatement

Deliberate modesty or playing something down to focus the audience's attention on it.

Verbosity

A serious fault in expression involving the use of too many words, representing the opposite of concise communication.