English terms and devices A-J

Allegory

word conveying hidden meaning

Alliteration

a repeating letter/sound in a sentence

Allusion

unexplained reference to something outside of the text (political events)

Anachronism

a person/thing placed in the wrong time period

Analogy

a comparison written to explain an idea by comparing it to something else

Anaphora

figure of speech which words repeat at the beginning of sentences

Antagonist

a character opposing the main character - queen in snow white

Antithesis

a figure of speech juxtaposing two opposing ideas

assonance

figure of speech where the same vowel sound repeats

asyndeton

a figure of speech where conjunctions are left out

Ballad

a poem that tells a story

Cacophony

a combination of words that sound unpleasant together

caesura

a pause within poetry marked by punctuation

catharsis

releasing strong emotions through art

cliché

a phrase that is overused and lacks originality

climax

a figure of speech when phrases are arranged in order of importance

colloquialism

the use of informal words in writing

connotation

an array of emotions suggested by words associated with that word

deus ex machina

a plot device where an unsolvable conflict is resolved by an implausible character

diction

a writers unique style of expression in choice and arrangement of words

dramatic irony

a plot device in theatre were the audience has knowledge that the character does not

dénouement

the final section of a story's plot where all the loose ends are tied up

Enjambment

continuation of a sentence across a line break.

Epigraph

short quotation, phrase or poem that is placed at the beginning of another piece of writing to show the works main themes/set the tone.

Euphony

combination of works that sound pleasant together (opposite of cacophony)

exposition

Description of background information within literature.

Foreshadowing

when authors hint at plot developments that will occur later in the story.

Free verse

name given to poetry that doesn't have any strict scheme/meter. can be any line length.

Hamartia

refers to tragic error that leads to a characters downfall.

Hyperbole

obvious exaggerations for the sake of emphasis.

Idiom

phrase conveying meaning that is impossible to understand on literal interpretation. e.g. 'its raining cats and dogs'

Internal Rhyme

a rhyme occurring in the middle lines of poetry, instead of at the end of lines.

Irony

what things seem to be is very different from how they are.

Juxtaposition

an author places two things side by side to highlight their differences.