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100 Literary Devices Flashcards

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9226683377allegorystory or poem that can be used to reveal a hidden meaning0
9373373957tonethe attitude of a writer, usually implied, toward the subject or audience1
9373372154monologuea (usually long) dramatic speech by a single actor2
9373372153dictionthe choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing3
9373372152double-entendrea phrase that could have two meanings or that could be understood in two different ways4
9373370030rhetorical questionA question asked merely for effect with no answer expected.5
9373370029foreshadowingthe use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot6
9373368406kenningA metaphoric compound word or phrase used as a synonym for a common noun7
9373368405euphemismthe substitution of an agreeable word or phrase to replace one that might offend8
9226683378alliterationbeginning of same letter or sound in closely connected words9
9226683379allusionindirect of passing reference10
9226683380anaphorarepetition in first part of a sentence , to have an artistic meaning11
9226683381antagonista hostile person who is opposed to another character12
9226683382apostrophefigure of speech used to address an imaginary character, an abstract concept, or an object13
9226683384asidewhen a character's dialogue is spoken but not heard by other actors on the stage14
9226683385assonancerepetition of vowel sounds15
9226683386blank versepoetry written in meter without an ending rhyme16
9226683387cacophonyblend of unharmonious sounds17
9226683388caesurapause in the middle of a line18
9226683389catharsisthe release of emotions (emotional cleanse)19
9226683390flat characterstory character who have no depth, usually has one personality or characteristic20
9226683391round charactercharacter who has complex personality: contradicted person21
9226683392dynamic characterchanges throughout the story, through major conflict22
9226683393static characterperson who doesn't change throughout story keeps same personality23
9226683394characterizationprocess of revealing characters personality24
9226683395climaxpoint where conflict hits its highest point25
9226683396comedydrama that is amusing or funny26
9226683397conflictstruggle between opposing forces27
9226683398connotationsecondary meaning to a word red: anger, love, blood28
9226683399consonancerepetition of same consonant in words close together29
9226683400couplettwo rhyming lines in a verse30
9226683401denotationthe literal meaning of a word31
9226683402denouementfinal outcome of the story32
9226683403deus ex machinaresolution of a plot by chance or coincidence33
9226683404didactic writingwriting with a primary purpose to teach or preach34
9226683405direct presentation of characterauthor telling the reader how a character is and what actions it will do further in the story35
9226683406double rhymerhyme where the repeated vowel is in the second last syllable of words involved (ex; born scorn)36
9226683407dramatic expositionprose commentaries, to provide background information about the characters and their world37
9226683408end rhymerhymes occurring at the end of line38
9226683409end stopped lineline ending in regular punctuation39
9226683410English/Shakespearean/Elizabethan sonneta sonnet rhyming ababcdcdefefgg40
9226683411epiphanywhen a character receives a spiritual insight into they life41
9226683412euphonysmooth choice and arrangement of sounds42
9226683413extended figureA figure of speech sustained or developed through a considerable number of lines or through a whole poem.43
9226683414falling actionEvents after the climax, leading to the resolution44
9226683416figurative languageLanguage that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling.45
9226683417figure of speecha way of saying something other than the ordinary way46
9226683419formexternal pattern or shape of a poem47
9226683420free versePoetry that does not have a regular meter or rhyme scheme48
9226683421hamartiatragic flaw which causes a character's downfall49
9226683422imageryDescription that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)50
9226683423indirect presentation of characterthe personality of a character is revealed by what he or she does or says51
9226683424internal rhymeA word inside a line rhymes with another word on the same line52
9226683425ironyA contrast between expectation and reality53
9226683426verbal ironyA figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant54
9226683427dramatic ironyIrony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.55
9226683428irony of situationrefers to an occurrence that is contrary to what is expected or intended56
9226683429Italian sonnetA sonnet consisting of an octave with the rhyme pattern abbaabba, followed by a sestet with the rhyme pattern cdecde or cdcdcd57
9226683432metaphorA comparison without using like or as58
9226683434metonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it Example: The White House refused to comment on the situation in China.59
9226683435motivationA need or desire that energizes and directs behavior60
9226683436narratorPerson telling the story61
9226683437octave8 line stanza62
9226683438onomatopoeiaA word that imitates the sound it represents. (woof, bam)63
9226683439hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor64
9226683440oxymoronA figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase. jumbo shrimp65
9226683441paradoxA contradiction or dilemma in which the opposite of what is natural is actually true.66
9226683442paraphraseA restatement of a text or passage in your own words.67
9226683443personificationA figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes68
9226683444plotSequence of events in a story69
9226683445point of viewThe perspective from which a story is told70
9226683446omniscient point of viewThe point of view where the narrator knows everything about the characters and their problems - told in the 3rd person.71
9226683447third person limited point of viewnarrator tells the story from only one character's pov72
9226683448first person point of viewa character in the story is actually telling the story himself/herself73
9226683449objective point of viewa narrator who is totally impersonal and objective tells the story, with no comment on any characters or events.74
9226683450protagonistMain character75
9226683451quatrainA four line stanza76
9226683452rhythmA regularly recurring sequence of events or actions.77
9226683453rhyme schemeA regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem78
9226683454rising actionEvents leading up to the climax79
9226683455sarcasmthe use of irony to mock or convey contempt80
9226683456satireA literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.81
9226683458sestet6 line stanza82
9226683459settingThe context in time and place in which the action of a story occurs.83
9226683460simileA comparison using "like" or "as"84
9226683461soliloquyA long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage85
9226683462sonnet14 line poem86
9226683463stanzaA group of lines in a poem87
9226683464stream of consciousnessprivate thoughts of a character without commentary88
9226683466symbolA thing that represents or stands for something else89
9226683467synecdochea figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa Example: Can I get your number?90
9226683468synesthesiadescribing one kind of sensation in terms of another ("a loud color", "a sweet sound")91
9226683469tercet3 line stanza92
9226683470terza rimaa verse form with a rhyme scheme: aba bcb cdc, etc.93
9226683471themeCentral idea of a work of literature94
9226683472toneAttitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character95
9226683473tragedyA serious form of drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character96
9226683475understatementthe deliberate representation of something as lesser in magnitude than it actually is; a deliberate under-emphasis97
9226683476verseA single line of poetry writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a rhyme98
9226683477vilanellea nineteen-line poem with two rhymes throughout, consisting of five tercets and a quatrain, with the first and third lines of the opening tercet recurring alternately at the end of the other tercets and with both repeated at the close of the concluding quatrain.99

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