Literary Terms Page 1

abstract

an abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research

adage

a saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language

alliteration

the repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem

analogy

a comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things

annotation

a brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature

apostrophe

a locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present

archetype

an abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form

assonance

repetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in a group of lines or poem

bard

a poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment

bildungsroman

a german word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that takes place as the hero travels in quest of a goal

bombast

inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects

cacophony

grating, inharmonious sounds

classical

deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient greek and roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity, and restraint

climax

the turning point of the story

conceit

a witty or ingenious though; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language

couplet

a pair of rhymed lines in a poem

denotation

the dictionary definition of a word

denoument

the resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction

diction

a writer's or speaker's choice of words

elliptical construction

a sentence containing a deliberate omission of words

empathy

a feeling of association or identification with an object or person

end-stopped

a term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation

epic

a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds

epigram

a concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement

euphony

pleasant, harmonious sound

exegesis

a detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature

expose

a piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings

extended metaphor

a series of comparisons between two unlike objects

falling action

events after the climax, leading to the resolution

figure of speech, figurative language

in contrast to literal language, it implies meanings

first-person narrative

a narrative told by a character involved in the story, using pronouns such as I and we

flashback

a scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story

frame

a structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative

antihero

central character who lacks all the qualities traditionally associated with heroes; may lack courage, grace, intelligence, or moral scruples

synesthesia

describing one kind of sensation in terms of another ("a loud color," "a sweet sound")

schwa

phonetic sound (th"e")

metacognition

the ability to think about one's own thought process

paradigm

an accepted framework of understanding

zeitgeist

the spirit of an age

italian/petrarchan sonnet

ABBAABBA CDCDCD or ABBAABBA CDECDE

iambic pentameter

unstressed stressed syllables in groups of five

irony

a contrast between expectation and reality

true rhyme

the same vowel and consonant sound

slant rhyme

sounds meant to sound the same, but might not completely

kennings

metaphorical phrases or compound words used to name a person, place, thing, or event indirectly

allegory

a story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface

allusion

a reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea

ambiguity

a vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings or interpretations

anachronism

a person, scene, event or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set

antagonist

a character or force in conflict with the main character

antithesis

a rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences

aphorism

a short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment

appollonian

in contrast to dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior

ballad

a simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited

bathos

the use of insincere or overdone sentimentality

belle-lettres

french term for the world of books, criticism, and literature

bibliography

a list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work

burlesque

a work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation

caesura

a pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often marked by punctuation

canon

the works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied

caricature

a grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things

carpe diem

literally, "seize the day"; "enjoy life while you can," a common theme in life and literature

catharsis

a cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy

classic

a highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time

connotation

the suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase

consonance

repetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in a group of words or line of poetry

deus ex machina

in literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem

dionysian

as distinguished from apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses

dramatic irony

a circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character

elegy

a poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of something or someone of value

ellipsis

three periods (...) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation

enjambment

in poetry, the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them

epithet

an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned

eponymous

a term for the title character of a work of literature

euphemism

a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

exposition

background information presented in a literary work

explication

the interpretation or analysis of a text

fable

short tale that teaches a lesson

fantasy

a story containing unreal, imaginary features

farce

a comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious scornful purpose

foot

a metrical unit composed of stressed and unstressed syllables

foreshadowing

the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot

volta

the turning point in a sonnet

english/shakespearean sonnet

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

paradox

contradictory statement

metaphysical conceit

similarities pointed out between two very dissimilar things

end rhyme

a word at the end of one line rhymes with a word at the end of another line

seven deadly sins

lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, pride