English Final - literary terms

Oxymoron

 Usually two words which appear contradictory but has purposeful meaning

Paradox

A sentence phrase that seems contradictory but is, in fact, profoundly true

Allusion

A reference to a literary or historical person or event to explain a present situation.

Aside

A brief remark made by a character and intended to be heard by the audience but not by other characters.

Imagery

Used to describe words or phrases that appeal to the five senses.

Motif

Recurring element, image, or idea- holds symbolic significance and helps develop the main theme or mood

Act

A main division in a drama

Atmosphere

The tone or mood established by events, places or situation

Comic Relief

A humorous scene or speech in a serious drama which is meant to provide relief from emotional intensity and by contrast, heighten the seriousness of the story

Foreshadowing

A hint of what is to come in the story

Aphorism

A short, concise statement that expresses general truth, wise observation, or moral principle.

Scene

A small unit of a play in which there is no shift of locale or time

Soliloquy

A speech given by a character alone on the stage, lets the audience know what the character is thinking and feeling

Tragedy

A type of drama which ends in defeat and suffering (character is often dignified, noble but has a tragic flaw which leads to their destruction) 

What is Rhetoric?/A device

The art of persuasion, used to trigger emotional responses in the audience thereby persuading or motivating them to think differently.

Anecdote

A brief story or tale with a carefully crafted purpose told by a character or speaker

Hyperbole

Overstatement using exaggerated language

Alliteration

The repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables

Irony

A statement that contradicts with what is expected or known. Using irony can create humor or suspense in writing.

Dramatic Irony

Happens when the audience or reader knows more than the characters

Verbal Irony

A character says one thing but means the opposite (sarcasm, but w/o out intention of hurting someone)

Situational Irony

When there is a very different outcome than what is expected

Rhetorical Question

A question asked with no expectation of an answer, but asked with the purpose of controlling the readers’ thoughts.

Syntax

The study of how words form into sentences (types of sentences)

Diction

The choice and use of words in a written work (formal vs. colloquial)

Tone

The attitude a narrator takes toward its subject and theme

Repetition

The repeated sound of certain words or phrases to help emphasize an important idea or concept.

Ethos

Uses CREDIBILITY to persuade. Uses personal experience and testimonials

Pathos

Uses EMOTIONS, values, morals, to persuade. Uses imagery, vivid description and details.

Logos

Uses LOGIC and reason to persuade. Uses facts, stats, evidence, and reasons. 

Connotation

the emotional, cultural, or implied meaning of a word

Denotation

the literal, explicit, or dictionary meaning of a word