Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Literary Terms
Lit terms test - terms and definitions
50
English
12th Grade
08/20/2007

Additional English Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
allegory
Definition
a series of unreal events, presented alongside a series of realistic events, bearing a close resemblance so as to make an association
Term
alliteration
Definition
repetition of sounds, usually consonants
Term
allusion
Definition
a reference to another source meant to create an effect
Term
ambiguity
Definition
conscious choice to be vague reflecting the author's view of the characters or of life
Term
antagonist
Definition
the character that works against the protagonist to create conflict
Term
apostrophe
Definition
addressing a person or personified thing not present
Term
assonance
Definition
alliteration with vowels
Term
blank verse
Definition
iambic pentameter with no rhyme
Term
conceit
Definition
an extended metaphor
Term
connotation
Definition
the implied meaning of a word
Term
consonance
Definition
alliteration with consonants
Term
diction
Definition
conscious word choice
Term
denotation
Definition
the dictionary definition of a word
Term
dramatic irony
Definition
something the audience knows but the character does not, affecting the character's actions
Term
dramatic monologue
Definition
a speaker giving an account of a dramatic moment or event in his or her life, revealing his or her character
Term
elegy
Definition
the lament of or meditation on a person or animal's death
Term
epic
Definition
a narrative, often long, poem relating the adventures of a hero important to his nation or race
Term
figurative language
Definition
figures of speech
Term
foreshadowing
Definition
providing hints of things to come
Term
free verse
Definition
poetry with no rhyme or meter
Term
genre
Definition
term used to classify types of literature
Term
hyperbole
Definition
overstatement for effect
Term
imagery
Definition
use of words that appeal to the senses
Term
irony
Definition
meaning intended different from what is literally stated, or the contrast between human aspirations and the darker side of life, demonstrating human futility
Term
lyric
Definition
subjective, reflective poetry with regular rhyme and meter, revealing poet's thoughts and feelings
Term
metaphor
Definition
compare unlike objects, no 'like' or 'as'
Term
meter
Definition
poetry's rhythm
Term
mood
Definition
emotional response created in the reader by the literature
Term
motif
Definition
device serving as a unifying agent or theme in a work
Term
narrative
Definition
form of verse or prose that tells a story
Term
ode
Definition
lyric verse
Term
oxymoron
Definition
two contradictory elements juxtaposed to create paradox
Term
parody
Definition
satirical imitation of work
Term
personification
Definition
objects and animals given human qualities
Term
point of view
Definition
view the reader gets of the story
Term
protagonist
Definition
chief character
Term
realism
Definition
things portrayed as they are
Term
Romanticism
Definition
use of idealized, fantasized, or exaggerated descriptions
Term
sarcasm
Definition
sharp, caustic remark
Term
satire
Definition
used to make fun of an idea or human vice
Term
simile
Definition
compare two unlike objects, 'like' or 'as'
Term
sonnet
Definition
14-line poem, usually w/ 3 quatrains and a rhyming couplet
Term
style
Definition
how the author uses words, ideas, sentences, and structure
Term
symbolism
Definition
use of one object to suggest another
Term
theme
Definition
main idea around which a work of literature is built
Term
tone
Definition
author's attitude toward a subject
Term
syntax
Definition
chosen ordering of words in a sentence
Term
verbal irony
Definition
discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of that which is spoken
Term
voice
Definition
personality used by a writer or speaker
Term
wit
Definition
quickness of intellect and talent for saying brilliant things, surprising in their unexpectedness
Supporting users have an ad free experience!