Literary Terms Flashcards

Literary Terms

• Allegory

  • Definition: A story where the characters and events symbolize something else.
  • Example: Animal Farm symbolizing the Russian Revolution.

• Aside

  • Definition: A dramatic device where a character speaks briefly to the audience.
  • Comment: The speech is unheard by other characters.

• Ethos

  • Definition: An appeal based on the character or credibility of the speaker.

• Euphemism

  • Definition: A word or expression used instead of a harsher alternative.
  • Example: "Taking an early retirement" instead of saying "got fired."

• Fable

  • Definition: Narrative story, usually features animals that behave/speak as humans.
  • Highlight: Highlights human weaknesses; highlights a moral or lesson.

• Irony

  • Definition: When there is a contrast between expectation and reality.

• Logos

  • Definition: An appeal based on facts or logic.

• Oxymoron

  • Definition: Combines two contradictory/opposite ideas to create effect or reveal deeper truth.
  • Example: "Deafening silence."

• Pathos

  • Definition: An appeal based on emotions/feelings.

• Pun

  • Definition: A play that exploits the multiple meanings of words or words that sound alike but have different meanings.

• Satire

  • Definition: Use of humor, irony, exaggeration to expose behaviors or issues.

• Soliloquy

  • Definition: When a character speaks their thoughts aloud by themselves, regardless if anyone is around to hear it.

• Symbolism

  • Definition: Use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

• Syntax

  • Definition: Order of words in a sentence.

• Utopia

  • Definition: Refers to an ideal or place in which all aspects are nearly perfect; a perfect society.