Lit terms 91-105

literal language

literal language

language that is not figurative but is meant to be accurate, matter of fact, or concrete

hypotaxis

a stylistic pattern in composition in which the writing contains clauses that are subordinated to and dependent on one another

apostrophe

a figure of speech in which someone usually absent or some abstract quality is directly addressed as though alive and capable of responding

parataxis

a stylistic pattern in composition in which the writing contains clauses that are equally weighted without subordination

onomatopoeia

the combination of words which imitate sounds

persona

the mask which covers the direct voice of the author

spoonerism

a phonetic transposition whereby sounds are switched in a pair of words or short phrase

Platonism

the idealistic, philosophical teachings of Plato which place emphasis on the soul and ideals of beauty and love

asyndeton

a stylistic pattern in composition in which the writing contains clauses without coordinating conjunctions

paradox

a statement or situation which seems on the surface contradictory or untrue but proves valid upon closer inspection

polysyndeton

a stylistic pattern in composition in which the writing contains an overabundance of coordinating conjunctions

pastoral

a type of poem that deals in an idealized way with shepherds and rustic life

aubade

a poem about dawn; a morning love song; a poem about lovers' parting at dawn

understatement

a statement for dramatic or humorous effect of less importance than the occasion would warrant

anti-hero

a graceless, inept (sometimes stupid or dishonest) protagonist who is opposite of a traditional hero