English Literature Flashcards

Flashcards for English Literature terms and concepts.

Alliteration

Repeating the same starting sound in several words close together.

Theme

The main message or lesson about life that the author wants readers to understand.

Tone

The author's attitude or feeling about the topic they are writing about.

Simile

A comparison between two things using the words "like" or "as."

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two things without using "like" or "as."

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement used to create strong emotion or emphasize a point.

Personification

Giving human qualities or actions to something that isn't human.

Imagery

Using descriptive words that appeal to the five senses to create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind.

Symbolism

Using an object or thing to represent a bigger idea or meaning.

Mood

The overall feeling or emotion a reader gets from a piece of writing.

Allusions

Brief references to famous people, places, events, or other literary works that readers are expected to recognize.

Repetition

Using words, phrases, or sounds more than once to emphasize importance.

Counterclaim

A statement that opposes or disagrees with the original claim or argument.

Rebuttal

A response to a counterclaim that argues against it, showing why the original claim is stronger.

Personification

What literary device is used when giving human qualities to inanimate objects?

Mood

What literary term is used to describe the overall feeling the reader gets from a piece a writing?

Symbolism

What literary device uses objects and ideas to represent other things?

Imagery

What involves making descriptive statements using the five senses?

Allusion

What literary device is used when an author makes a reference to another literary work?

"Like" or "as"

What must be present for something to be considered a simile in literature?

Theme

What is used in writing as a lesson or moral?

Similes use 'like' or 'as', whereas metaphors do not

What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?

Hyperbole

What is the literary term for an extreme exaggeration?

Counterclaim

What is the literary term for an argument against the original claim?

Rebuttal

What is the literary term for arguing against a counterclaim?

Emphasizing importance

What purpose does repetition serve in literature?

Tone

What literary term captures the author's attitude when writing?

Repeating word sounds close together

What is the definition of alliteration?