English 2H: Vocab

Thesis

The overall arguable claim of the paper that directly answers all parts of the prompt, taking a position with TAGs (title, author, genre).

CTA

(Close Text Analysis) A strategy for analyzing meaning in a complex text, focusing on the effect of language and how analysis leads to purpose.

Literary Purpose

The goal or aim of a piece of writing, considering elements such as theme, setting, tone, and characters.

Genre

The specific type or category of work, examples include poem, novel, short story, song, or drama/play.

Formulate

To create a specific idea and express it in a concise way.

Effect

The meaning of what a device is actually doing or the author's purpose for using a specific device.

Social Criticism (in literature)

The examination and critique of the social issues of modern society, often pointing out problems and proposing solutions.

Conflict

The dramatic struggle between two forces in a story; can be external (outside forces) or internal (within a character's mind).

In media res

A narrative work that opens in the midst of the plot.

Tone

The writer or speaker's attitude towards the subject.

Denotation/Connotation

The dictionary definition of a word (denotation) versus the ideas/feelings/implied meaning (connotation).

Theme

The universal message or deeper meaning that the writer is trying to convey to readers.

Motif

A repeated or recurring word, phrase, image, or topic with symbolic meaning in a work.

Symbol

An object with a figurative meaning that provides a deeper and more significant meaning.

Anaphora

A form of syntax where there is a repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines, clauses, or sentences.

Situational Irony

An incongruity between expectations of something to happen and what actually happens.

Existentialism

The philosophy around a human being's existence and the ultimate reality of 'being-in-the-world'.

Kafkaesque

Describes a situation that is complex, surreal, disorienting, and menacing.

Allusion

A reference within a literary work to another work, historical event, figure, or artwork.

Allegory

A work of fiction with two levels of meaning—literal and symbolic/metaphorical.

Tragic Hero

A character with a tragic flaw leading to their demise; must be high-status and responsible for their own downfall.

Hamartia

A tragic flaw leading to a downfall (Greek).

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence leading to a downfall (Greek).

Catharsis

The arousal of pity and fear in the audience, leading to the release of emotional tension.

Antithesis

A figure of speech where opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed through parallelism of contrasting words.

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory statement that may indeed be true.

Apostrophe

A figure of speech in which the writer or speaker addresses someone not present or an inanimate object.

Monologue

An extended speech by one person.

Soliloquy

Speaking one's thoughts aloud while alone or regardless of hearers, typically in a play.

Aside

A remark intended for the audience that is not heard by other characters in the play.

Dramatic Irony

Situations where the audience knows more about the circumstances and resolutions than the characters.

Foil

A character that contrasts with another character to highlight particular traits of the latter.

Tragic Flaw

A trait in a heroic character leading to their downfall, often hubris or lack of self-knowledge.

Turning Point

The point of highest tension in a narrative, transitioning from rising action to falling action.

Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds in close proximity.

Cacophony

The grouping of harsh, discordant sounds.

Consonance

The repetition of consonant sounds in close proximity.

Euphony

The grouping together of harmonious, pleasing sounds.

Metonymy

A figure of speech where an object is referenced to something else associated with it.