English final study guide

Alliteration

the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

Allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

Antagonist

A character or force in conflict with the main character

Characterization

the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character

Conflict

A struggle between two opposing forces

Connotation

the implied or associative meaning of a word

Denotation

The dictionary definition of a word

Dialect

a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group.

Epic

A long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds

Flashback

A scene that interrupts the normal chronological sequence of events in a story for something that happened at an earlier time

Foil

A character who acts as a contrast to another character

Foreshadowing

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

Hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Imagery

language that appeals to the senses

Irony

the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning

Metaphor

comparison not using like or as

Mood

How the reader feels about the text while reading.

Myth

a traditional story presenting supernatural characters and episodes that help explain natural events

Narration

writing that tells a story

Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates the sound it represents.

Oxymoron

a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction

Personification

A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes

Point of view

the perspective from which a story is told

Protagonist

main character

Setting

The time and place of a story

Simile

A comparison using "like" or "as"

Suspense

Uncertainty or anxiety the reader feels about what is going to happen next in a story

Symbol

anything that stands for or represents something else

Theme

Central idea of a work of literature

Tone

Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character

Pandora's Box

unintentionally release problems often as the result of temptation

Midas

greedy, golden touch

Apple of Discord

Anything causing trouble, discord, or jealousy.

Trojan Horse

a program that appears desirable but actually contains something harmful

Cassandra

a person who continually predicts something but often is not believed

"A face that launched a thousand ships"

very beautiful to the point where someone would do anything to be with u

Herculean Feat

Willing to put there life on the line for others and very courageous

Achilles' Heel

weak spot

Sirens

Something you can't quit easily

Nike

victory

Tantalus

To see the things you want but its always out of reach

Narcissus

in love with yourself

"Carrying the weight of the world on one's shoulders"

a lot of stress and responsibility

"It's Greek to me"

something you cant understand

"Nothing to fear but fear itself"

Can't let fear keep you from acting

Merlin

Smart and good in a crafty way, also good at making tricks

Old Testament Pestilence

a condition or disease that causes massive damage or death

Rosetta Stone

Translation or a key to understanding

"Get your goat"

Aggravating you or antagonist against you

Tenterhooks

being in a state of uneasiness, strain, or suspense

Snipe Hunt

Looking for something that doesn't exist

Sherlock Holmes

detective

"All men are created equal"

ability to do anything another can do, fairness

Rockefeller

oil

Einstein

theory of relativity

English Channel

Passageway where trade flow through

"In the limelight"

Center of attention

The Gray Ghost

knowns as scary but really isn't

Adjourn

close at the end of a session

Bogus

fraudulent; having a misleading appearance

Certitude

complete assurance or confidence

Encounter

to come together

Debris

the remains of something that has been destroyed

Abscond

run away, often taking something or somebody along

Critical

a serious examination and judgment of something

Buffoon

A person who often makes attempts to be funny; a clown; a fool

Exterminate

kill on a large scale

Dubious

fraught with uncertainty or doubt

Annihilate

kill in large numbers

Culprit

someone or something responsible for harm or wrongdoing

Blemish

a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something

Grim

harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance

Status

the condition or someone or something at a particular time

Deluge

heavy rain

Arid

lacking sufficient water or rainfall

Cordial

politely warm and friendly

Mince

cut into small pieces

Bewail

to express deep regret or sorrow over

Aviary

place where birds are kept

Flank

be located at the sides of something or somebody

Candor

honesty

Dilate

become wider

Magnitude

the property of relative size or extent

Altercation

noisy quarrel

Rite

any customary observance or practice

Censor

subject or deletion on political or moral grounds

Dawdle

to waste time

Petty

small and of little importance

Breach

make an opening or gap in

Adage

a condensed but memorable saying embodying an important fact

Evade

avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing

Staccato

separating the notes; in music

Docile

(adj.) easily taught, led, or managed; obedient

Puzzle

to be uncertain about

Bellow

shout loudly and without restraint

Adjacent

near or close to but not necessarily touching

Signify

denote or connote

Legible

capable of being read or deciphered

Cope

to come to terms with

Emission

act of causing to flow forth