Literary Terms Quizlet

study tool for literary terms test

allegory

deeper meaning, beyond the simple events in the story. Often a comment on society; the story within a story

alliteration

Repetition of the first consonant sound, occurring close together. Ex: "But a better butter makes a better batter."

allusion

A brief reference to a famous person or event - often from literature, history, Greek mythology, or the Bible. Can help to simplify ideas. Ex: "He was a real Romeo with the ladies."

direct characterization

The author directly tells information about a character. Ex: Hannah is ranked third in her class.

indirect characterization

The author shows the character in action and readers make their own interpretations. Ex: Hannah's friends were not shocked when they discovered her class rank; she always did work hard.

diction

An author's choice of words, phrases, sentence structures, and figurative language to create meaning and tone. Ex: "Words strain, Crack and sometimes break, under the burden, Under the tension, slip, slide, perish, Decay with imprecision, will not stay in place, Will not stay still." (T.S. Eliot, "Burnt Norton")

flashback

An organizational device used to present action that occurred before present time of the story (often a dream or recollection).

fiction

A story that is the product of the author's imagination rather than the documentation of facts. Ex: Harry Potter Series.

foreshadowing

An organizational device used to create expectation or to set up an explanation of later developments. Ex: "but a singular sense of impending calamity, that should indeed have served me as a warning, drove me onward" (Wells).

hyperbole

An obvious, intended exaggeration. Ex: "His snores were louder than a freight train."

imagery

Descriptive or figurative language in a literary work; the use of language to create sensory impressions. Ex: The sky was pink and gold as the sun rose out of sea, making me squint against its brightness. The sand was rough on the bottoms of my feet as I listened to the constant crash of waves and smelled the salty ocean breeze.

inference

A conclusion based on facts, an understanding gained by "reading between the lines."

irony

The use of a word or phrase to mean the opposite of its literal meaning. Ex: You laugh at your friend for stepping in a puddle, and then you fall into one.

situational irony

the opposite of what is expected to happen, happens instead. Ex: A fire station burns down, but one expects the station to prevent fires, not be consumed by one.

verbal irony

a statement that expresses the opposite of the literal meaning of the words. Often used for comedic or sarcastic effect. Ex: "Lucky me, I've lost my wallet."

dramatic irony

When the audience or reader knows something the characters do not know. Ex: In Titanic, where viewers know the ship will sink, but the characters do not.

Juxtaposition

when two different ideas are presented side by side to emphasize their contrast (day and night; hot and cold).

Metaphor

Comparison without using "like" or "as."

Motif

A recurring subject, theme, or idea in a literary work Ex: Contrast between light and dark in Romeo and Juliet

mood

the emotions or atmosphere of a work; how the reader feels Ex: Suspenseful, Joyful, Depressing, Excited, Anxious, Angry, Sad, Tense, Lonely, Suspicious, Frightened

nonfiction

Text that is not fictional; written to explain, argue, instruct, or describe rather than entertain Ex: Magazine and newspaper articles

onomatopoeia

imitates or suggests the source of the sound that it describes; sound word Ex: Squish! Boom! Splat! Chirp! Clap!

oxymoron

the combination of 2 words of opposite meaning for dramatic, comedic or provocative effect. Ex: "Dark comedy" or "open secret" or "jumbo shrimp"

Parallelism

several parts of a sentence or several sentences in similar grammatical form to show that the ideas are equal in importance. Can add balance, rhythm and emphasis to ideas. Ex: "…We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." (JFK, Inaugural Address)

parody

An imitation of something using exaggeration for comedic effect

personification

non-human objects or ideas are given human qualities. Ex: "The wind whispered her name."

plot

The structure of a story Ex: Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, denouement

point of view

The perspective from which a speaker or author recounts a narrative or presents information Ex: First Person, Third Person Limited, Third Person Omniscient

Repetition

a repeating word or phrase, used for emphasis

Rhyme Scheme

The pattern of how lines in a stanza rhyme together Ex: (AABB)Twinkle, twinkle, little star, (A) how I wonder what you are. (A) Up above the world so high, (B) like a diamond in the sky. (B)

simile

comparison using "like" or "as" Ex: "She was as sly as a fox."

satire

a literary approach that ridicules or examines human vice or weakness Ex: "A jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer." ~Robert Frost expressing his opinions about and poking fun at the American legal system

setting

The time and place in which a story unfolds Ex: The walls were made of dark stone, dimly lit by torches. Empty benches rose on either side of him, but ahead, in the highest benches of all, were many shadowy figures. They had been talking in low voices, but as the heavy door swung closed behind Harry an ominous silence fell.

Soliloquy ("solo speech")

A dramatic speech, revealing inner thoughts and feelings, spoken aloud by one character while alone on the stage. Ex: Juliet's lengthy confession of her love for Romeo into the seemingly empty night

symbol

object, person, place, or event is used to represent an idea or concept, adding deeper layers of meaning. Ex: In The Outsiders, Two-Bit's prized switchblade, his most prized possession, represents a strong disregard for authority - something the greasers regularly ignore.

theme

THE MEssage; topic or major idea Ex: Loyalty, Courage, Justice, Love, Revenge

tone

The attitude of the author toward the audience, characters, subject, or the work itself Ex: Humorous, Informal, Playful, Serious, Gloomy, Optimistic, Witty

Understatement

a statement that says less than it means; often used for dramatic effect. Ex: "I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain." (J.D. Salinger, Catcher in the Rye)