Lit terms 2

Synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole, or vice versa (for example, referring to a car as "wheels" or using "the crown" to refer to a ruler).

Metonymy

 A figure of speech in which one object or idea takes the place of another with which it has a close association.

Euphemism

A figure of speech commonly used to replace a word or phrase that is related to a concept that might make others uncomfortable. Euphemism refers to figurative language designed to replace phrasing that would otherwise be considered harsh, impolite, or unpleasant. 

Idiom

An idiom is a saying or expression that is widely used among speakers of a certain language and whose figurative meaning is different from its literal meaning. 

motif

A recurring element, image, idea, sound, or symbol in a work of literature that helps to develop and inform the central theme of the story.

dramatic foil

Foil is a literary device designed to illustrate or reveal information, traits, values, or motivations of one character through the comparison and contrast of another character. A literary foil character serves the purpose of drawing attention to the qualities of another character, frequently the protagonist.

Cacophony

If we speak literally, cacophony points to a situation in which there is a mixture of harsh and inharmonious sounds. In literature, however, the term refers to the use of words with sharp, harsh, hissing, and unmelodious sounds – primarily those of consonants – to achieve desired results.

Euphony

It can be defined as the use of words and phrases that are distinguished as having a wide range of noteworthy melody or loveliness in the sounds they create. 

allegory

A narrative in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract ideas or moral principles, allowing the author to convey a deeper hidden meaning beneath the literal storyline.

sibilance

Sibilance is a literary device where strongly stressed consonants are created deliberately by producing air from vocal tracts through the use of lips and tongue.