Memoir Critical Terms

Allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

Anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Anecdote

a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person

Antithesis

the direct opposite, a sharp contrast

Connotation

an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.

autobiography

An account of a person's life written by that person

Diction

A writer's or speaker's choice of words

Emotional Arc

How the protagonist's emotions and state of mind change throughout the play.

Epigraph

a quotation or aphorism at the beginning of a literary work suggestive of the theme.

Figurative Language

Language that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling.

Flow

Smooth progression of ideas in text.

Foreshadowing

A narrative device that hints at coming events; often builds suspense or anxiety in the reader.

Form

The way the text is presented

Inciting Incident

event that introduces the central conflict

Interiority

The practice of developing a life of self-reflection and self-examination to attend to your spiritual life and your call to holiness.

Major dramatic question

the hook or question that keeps an audience curious or in suspense for the duration of the play and drives the narrative

Memoir

A historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources

Metaphor

A comparison without using like or as

Mood

Feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader

Motif

(n.) a principal idea, feature, theme, or element; a repeated or dominant figure in a design

Motivaiton

a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior

Narrative force (power/ energy)

Persuasive ability of a story or its emotional impact

Narrative Strategy

techniques used to write a story

Pacing

the movement of a literary piece from one point or one section to another

Point of View

the perspective from which a story is told (first, second, third)

Sensory detail

words and phrases that create imagery by using the 5 senses

Structure

the arrangement or framework of a sentence, paragraph, or entire work

Subtext

The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature

Symbolism

A device in literature where an object represents an idea.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

Theme

Central idea of a work of literature

Tone

Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character

Vividness

active, direct, and fresh language that brings a sense of excitement, urgency, and forcefulness to a message

Voice

A writers distinctive use of language

A Rambling Autobiogrphay

Short choppy sentences

Sensory Memoir

Use of many sensory details

Journeys

A lesson learned or a change in a person after experiencing a event or a place

Symbols of Identity

A event, place, person, thing, activity, that symbolizes who you are as a person