Literature & Identity Midterm Vocabulary Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards defining literary terms, poetic devices, narrative elements, and drama terms from the Literature & Identity midterm study guide.

Speaker

The voice speaking in a poem.

Theme

The main message or lesson of a text.

Imagery

Descriptive language and words that appeal to the senses to help readers picture, hear, smell, taste, or feel something.

Simile

A comparison using "like" or "as."

Metaphor

Comparing two things without using "like" or "as," stating that one thing is another.

Personification

Giving human qualities to something nonhuman.

Symbolism

When an object represents a bigger idea.

Tone

The speaker's attitude.

Repetition

Repeating words or phrases for emphasis.

Setting

Where and when a story takes place.

Types of rhyme

Words that have similar ending sounds.

Simple rhyme

Two words that rhyme, usually at the ends of lines.

End rhyme

Words that rhyme at the ends of lines.

Internal rhyme

Words that rhyme within the same line.

Slant rhyme

Words that sound similar but do not rhyme perfectly.

Rhyme scheme

The pattern of rhymes in a poem, represented with letters such as ABAB or AABB.

Mnemonic device

A trick to help you remember information.

Drama

A story written to be acted out by actors.

Coming-of-age story

A story about someone growing up and learning about life.

Identity markers

Things that help describe who a person is, such as race, gender, culture, and age.

Frame

A story or narrative that surrounds another story.

Narrative

A story about events or experiences.

Third person

A point of view in which a narrator tells the story using pronouns such as "he," "she," or "they."

Third-person limited

A third-person narration style that follows only one character's thoughts.

Third-person omniscient

A third-person narration style in which the narrator knows multiple characters' thoughts.

Poetry

One of the oldest forms and genres of literature.

Illustration

An example or image that helps explain an idea.

Stage follow

A dramatic term referring to stage directions or following action that instructs actors on how to move or speak.

Navigation

Moving through or organizing a text or story.

In medias res

Starting a story in the middle of the action.

Plot

The sequence of events that happen in a story, including the beginning, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Monologue

A long speech delivered by one character.