Literary Terms and Techniques

Flashcards covering literary devices and techniques discussed in the lecture notes.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as,' revealing aspects of a character or theme.

Simile

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'like' or 'as,' revealing aspects of a character or theme.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating a specific mood or atmosphere.

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art; understanding its context enhances the text's meaning.

Diction

The author's specific choice of words, contributing to the tone, pacing, and overall meaning.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language, impacting tone, pacing, and meaning.

Tone

The author's attitude or feeling toward the subject matter.

Mood

The feeling or atmosphere created in the reader while reading.

Verbal Irony

When a speaker says one thing but means another; often sarcastic.

Situational Irony

Involves a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens (plot twist).

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something that the characters do not.

Symbolism

The use of objects or ideas to represent deeper meanings, connected to the overall theme.

Allegory

A story in which all characters, settings, and events represent abstract ideas or moral qualities (e.g., Animal Farm).

Enjambment

The continuation of a sentence or clause from one line of poetry to the next without a pause.

Caesura

A pause or break within a line of poetry, affecting rhythm and emphasis.