Term
|
Definition
| Directed to or appealing to felings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things; a passage that points out several similarities between two unlike things is called an extended analogy. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences, as in the following: "They promised freedom but provided slavery." "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment. Also see adage or maxim. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| In contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature & behavior. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Characterized by clever or shy humor, often saucy, playful, & somewhat irreverent. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words in prose or poetry. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to a musical accompaniment. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Insincere or overdone sentimentality. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A French term for the world of books, criticism, & literature in general. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a particular subject. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Inflated, pretentious language. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Grating, inharmonious sounds. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read & studied. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A grotesque or exaggerated likeness of striking qualities in persons & things. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Literally,"seize the day"; "enjoy life while you can", a common theme in life & literature. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Literally, "talking around" a subject; discourse that avoids direct reference to a subject. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek & Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity, & restraint. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A structural element of a sentence, consisting of a grammatical subject & a predicate. Independent clauses, sometimes called main clauses, may stand on their own as complete senteces; dependent clauses, which are used as nouns or modifiers, are incomplete sentences and cannot stand alone grammatically. Dependent clauses are sometimes called subordinate clauses. Dependent clauses that function as adjectives, nouns, or adverbs are known, respectively, as adjectives, noun, & adverbial clauses. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The high point, or turning point, of a story or play. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A mode of discourse in which two or more things are compared and contrasted. Comparison often refers to similarities, contrast to differences. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A witty or ingenious though; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A highly specific, particular, often real, actual, or tangible detail; the opposite of abstract. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase. Contrast with denotation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of works or a unit of speech or writing. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An analysis or assessment of a thing or situation for the purpose of determining its nature, limitations, & conformity to a set of standards. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| One who expects & observes nothing but the worst of human conduct. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A method of reasoning by which specific definitions, conclusions, & theorems are drawn from general principles. Its opposite is inductive reasoning. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The dictionary definition of a word. Compare with connotation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The resolution that occurs at the end of a narrative or drama, real or imagined. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Graphic, exact, & accurate presentation of the characteristics of a person, place, or thing. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| In literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The choice of words in oral & written discourse. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Having an instructive purpose; intending to convey information or teach a lesson, usually in a dry, pompous manner. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| That portion of discourse that wanders or departs from the main subject or topic. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| As distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of someone or something of value. The adjective describing an elegy iselegiac. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Three periods indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence "May was hot & June the same," the verb was is omitted from the second clause. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A feeling of association or identification with an object or person. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A narrative poem that tells of the adventures & exploits of a hero. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A concise but ingenious, witty, & thoughtful statement. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Pleasing, harmonious sounds. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing; sun-bright topaz, sun-lit lake, & sun-bright lake are examples. Can also be used to apply to vulgar or profane exclamations. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A term for the title character of a work of literature. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of prose or poetry. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A factual piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The background & events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of an essay or other work; setting forth the meaning or purpose of a piece of writing or discourse. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The interpretation or analysis of a text. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A series of comparisons between two unlike objects. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A short tale, often with nonhuman characters, from which a useful lesson or moral may be drawn. |
|
|
Term
| Fallacy, Fallacious Reasoning |
|
Definition
| An incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, false information, or flawed logic. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A story containing unreal, imaginary features. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose. |
|
|
Term
| Figure of Speech, Figurative Language |
|
Definition
| In contrast to literal language, figurative language implies meanings. Figures of speech include, among many others, metaphor, simile, & personification. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A structure that provides a premise or setting for a narrative or other discourse. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, & essay. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A lecture or sermon on a religious or moral theme meant to guide human behavior. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Excessive pride that often affects tone. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential & creativity. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled, or felt; imagery is the use of images in speech or writing. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization. Its opposite is deductive reasoning. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A conclusion or proposition arrived at by considering facts, observations, or some other specific data. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A direct verbal assault; a denunciation; casting blame on someone or something. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is opposite of what is stated; often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expressed. |
|
|
