Figurative Language, Literary Devices, and Genre Conventions in Literature

Parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

Pedantic

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, too academic, or bookish.

loose sentence

A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.

Periodic Sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end, preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone.

figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

figure of speech

A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things.

generic conventions

This term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for example, they differentiate an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing.

genre

The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama.

homily

This term literally means 'sermon,' but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible.

imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.

inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.

invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

irony/ironic

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant.

metaphor

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

metonymy

A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated.

oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms.

paradox

A statement that appears self-contradictory but may reveal a deeper truth.

personification

A figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts.

Mood (Grammatical)

The first meaning is grammatical and deals with verbal units and a speaker's attitude.

Indicative Mood

The indicative mood is used only for factual sentences.

Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is used to express conditions contrary to fact.

Imperative Mood

The imperative mood is used for commands.

Mood (Literary)

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.

Narrative

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.

Onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.

Parallelism

Refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.

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