100 terms to know by test day! You're welcome. ;)
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| 3270342496 | Alliteration | the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables. | 0 | |
| 3270342497 | Allusion | the act of making an indirect reference to something most people know, usually in literature. Sometimes the allusions are to biblical references; some times the allusions are more modern, like to a piece of literature or some element of pop culture. | 1 | |
| 3270342498 | Analogy | A comparison of two like things. Format. [word 1] : [word 2] : : [word 3] : [word 4] | 2 | |
| 3270342499 | Anaphora | Repetition of a word or word pattern at the start of at least two sentences, or lines in a row. | 3 | |
| 3270342500 | Antithesis | The contrast of ideas by use of parallel arrangement of words, clauses or phrases (Ex. To err is human, to forgive divine) | 4 | |
| 3270342501 | Aphorism | A brief, usually concise statement or observation of a doctrine, principle, truth, or sentiment. | 5 | |
| 3270342502 | Assonance | is the repetition of vowel sounds in words which are near each other in a line or line which then creates an internal rhyme and bounce to the sounds. | 6 | |
| 3270342503 | Cacaphony | A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds | 7 | |
| 3270342504 | Colloquialism | A word or phrase known through the general population and used in everyday speech, however not used in formal speech or writing. | 8 | |
| 3270342505 | Conceit | an extended metaphor or imagery used to designate a fanciful and ingenious notion or conception, usually expressed through an elaborate analogy, and pointing to a striking parallel between two seemingly dissimilar things | 9 | |
| 3270342506 | Connotation | The associated or secondary meaning of a work or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning. | 10 | |
| 3270342507 | Denotation | The explicit or direct meaning of a word or expression, as distinguished from the ideas or meanings associated with it or suggested by it | 11 | |
| 3270342508 | Consonance | A form of alliteration in which a singular consonant sound is repeated within close proximity; the sounds can be adjacent to one another or more spread out within the same sentence. | 12 | |
| 3270342509 | Dialect | language distinguished from other varieties of the same language by features of phonology, grammar, and vocabulary. | 13 | |
| 3270342510 | Diction | The use and choice of words in writing, that colors the piece as a whole. Mood and tone is affected by diction. | 14 | |
| 3270342511 | Hyperbole | an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally | 15 | |
| 3270342512 | Imagery | Visual, Auditory, Tactile, Olfactory, and Gustatory. is when language is used to create a certain feeling, understanding, or, for lack of a better word, image in someone's mind. | 16 | |
| 3270342513 | Metaphor | A figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance | 17 | |
| 3270342515 | Onomatopoeia | A figure of speech in which words are meant to imitate sounds. | 18 | |
| 3270342518 | Parallelism | Parallelism is the similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses. | 19 | |
| 3270342519 | Personification | It is when an Inanimate object or animal; is given human qualities or characteristics. | 20 | |
| 3270342520 | 1st Person | The narrator is a character in the story (uses pronouns I, me, we, us) | 21 | |
| 3270342521 | 2nd Person | The narrator is describing your actions or characteristics. (Use of the pronoun "you") | 22 | |
| 3270342522 | 3rd Person | The narrator is not a part of the story (uses pronouns he, she, they, them) | 23 | |
| 3270342523 | 3rd person limited | narrator is outside the action and narration is restricted to one persons thoughts, feelings | 24 | |
| 3270342524 | Refrain | The repetition of phrases at set intervals | 25 | |
| 3270342525 | Rhetorical Questions | questions to which EVERYONE knows the answer to which NO ONE is expecting an answer | 26 | |
| 3270342526 | Simile | the comparison of two unlike items, usually, joined by "like, as, or in some cases, than." | 27 | |
| 3270342527 | Syllogism | A form of deductive reasoning that includes a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion draw from both together. Very generally, a syllogism works from the following formula: if A equals B, and if B equals C, then A equals C. | 28 | |
| 3270342528 | Symbol | When something in literature is used to represent or objectify another idea. | 29 | |
| 3270342529 | Understatement | the action of presenting something in weak way that does not represent the actual characteristics of the object or situation being described, or understating something. | 30 | |
| 3270342530 | Allegory | a prose or poetic narrative in which the characters, behavior, and even the setting demonstrates multiple levels of meaning and significance - often this is a universal symbol or personified abstraction (Death personified as the black-cloaked "grim reaper" carrying scythe and an hourglass). Another example is the Old Testament story of the "Prodigal Son," which has come to represent anyone who leaves family and friends for a time, then returns to the fold. | 31 | |
| 3270342531 | Ambiguity | a word or expression that can be understood in two or more possible ways. Usually in sentences with many verbs modifying nouns and it is not specific to which verb is modifying which noun. | 32 | |
| 3270342533 | Cautionary Tale | A story with a straightforward plot that serves to warn about possible dangers or teaches lessons. | 33 | |
| 3270342534 | Coherence | Sentences, paragraphs, or essays that posess clear relevance to each other. | 34 | |
| 3270342535 | Digression | A literary device in which the author creates a temporary departure from the main subject or narrative in order to focus on a related matter | 35 | |
| 3270342536 | Discursive | Moving from topic to topic; rambling | 36 | |
| 3270342537 | Dramatic Irony | The irony occurring when the implications of a situation, speech, etc., are understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play | 37 | |
| 3270342538 | Euphemism | A mild word of phrase which substitutes for another which would be undesirable because it is too direct, unpleasant, or offensive. (Ex. "He had a negative patient outcome" instead of "He died") | 38 | |
| 3270342539 | Foil | a character in fiction whose traits accentuate another character's opposing traits. | 39 | |
| 3270342540 | Idiom | a speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements (Ex. "He has a chip on his shoulder.") | 40 | |
| 3270342542 | Juxtaposition | two things are placed near together to show either a similarity or a stark contras | 41 | |
| 3270342543 | Litotes | understatement, especially that in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary. (Ex. "I am not unaware that" to show that you are fully aware - or "I was not a little upset" to show that you couldn't be more upset. | 42 | |
| 3270342545 | Non-sequitor | A statement containing an illogical conclusion | 43 | |
| 3270342546 | Parable | A parable is a story that is. told to teach some religious, moral, or truthful lesson. Parables are usually short and fictitious | 44 | |
| 3270342547 | Pedantry | An ostentatious and inappropriate display of learning. | 45 | |
| 3270342549 | Shift/Transition | A shift or transition is a change in movement or mood by the speaker exemplifying a possible epiphany. | 46 | |
| 3270342550 | Situational Irony | irony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected | 47 | |
| 3270342551 | Tenets | a belief or principle of a given subject | 48 | |
| 3270342552 | Theme | a main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly. | 49 | |
| 3270342554 | Tongue-in-Cheek | A phrase used as a figure of speech to imply that a statement or other production is humorously intended and it should not be taken at face value. The facial expression typically indicates that one is joking or making a mental effort | 50 | |
| 3270342556 | Anti-Hero | a main character in literature who doesn't fulfill the characteristics of an ideal hero | 51 | |
| 3270342557 | Carpe Diem | seize the day - meaning don't waste your life, act now! | 52 | |
| 3270342558 | Comedy | is the genre in which the intent of the work is to induce hilarity. It is not necessarily satirical in nature and is often written to stress certain attributes of characters or exaggerate situations. Comedies usually end happily. | 53 | |
| 3270342559 | Epigram | A poem or what could be paradoxical saying that humorously, but pointedly addresses a subject and ends in a sudden turn of thought. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. | 54 | |
| 3270342560 | Epithet | the short poetic name that uses an adjective (like young) and the actual characters name (like Mary). | 55 | |
| 3270342561 | Farce | is a humorous or witty work, the plot depends on an entertaining situation instead of the development of characters | 56 | |
| 3270342562 | Homily | Sermon | 57 | |
| 3270342563 | Modernism | The period was marked by sudden and unexpected breaks with traditional ways of viewing and interacting the world. Experimentation and individualism became virtues" | 58 | |
| 3270342564 | Monologue | "A prolonged talk or discourse by a single speaker, especially one dominating or monopolizing a conversation." | 59 | |
| 3270342565 | Narrative | a "story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictious." | 60 | |
| 3270342566 | Naturalism | The term naturalism describes a type of literature that attempts to apply scientific principles of objectivity and detachment to its study of human beings. Unlike realism which focuses on literary technique naturalism implies a philosophical position | 61 | |
| 3270342568 | Parody | a satiric imitation of a work or of an author with the idea of ridiculing the author, his ideas or work | 62 | |
| 3270342569 | Post Modernism | relies on concrete experience over abstract principles, knowing always that the outcome of one's own experience will necessarily be fallible and relative, rather than certain and universal | 63 | |
| 3270342570 | Pun | humorous use of a word or phrase so as to emphasize or suggest its different meanings or applications | 64 | |
| 3270342571 | Realism | A style of writing that began in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It characterized life in terms of real, believable experiences and hardships rather than romanticized versions of life. It used verisimilitude, the appearance of being real or true. | 65 | |
| 3270342572 | Romanticism | focused on the metaphysical and mysterious aspect of nature and praised it for its innate beauty, unlike the scientists of the enlightenment that would simply try to quantify and classify nature into neat categories. | 66 | |
| 3270342573 | Satire | a style of writing or art that uses humor or sarcasm to criticize or ridicule it's subject | 67 | |
| 3270342574 | Petrarchan Sonnet: | also called Italian sonnet, properly expressive of a single, complete thought, idea, or sentiment, of 14 lines, divided into an octave (8 lines) and a sestet (6 lines) | 68 | |
| 3270342575 | Stream of Conciousness | A method of writing characterized by a flow of thoughts, words, or images, sometimes seemingly unconnected. This type of writing often carries the reader through the thoughts and experiences of more than one character. | 69 | |
| 3270342576 | Tragedy | a play in which the main characters experience a series of unfortunate events. Example: Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, in which the two main characters pursue a hopeless romance that ends with their deaths. | 70 | |
| 3270342577 | Tragic Hero | as a great virtuous character with a fatal flaw that brings about his destined downfall | 71 | |
| 3270342578 | Travesty | in literature, the treatment of a noble and dignified subject in an inappropriately trivial manner. | 72 | |
| 3270342579 | Truism | is a blatantly obvious statement, usually used to emphasize a connected idea. | 73 | |
| 3270345385 | Villanelle | a verse form consisting of 19 lines divided into 6 stanzas - 5 tercets (3-lined stanza) and one quatrain (4-lined stanza). The 1st and 3rd line of the 1st tercet rhyme - this is repeated through the next 4 tercets and the last two lines of the concluding quatrain. | 74 | |
| 3270349867 | Tone | the attitude a literary work takes toward its subject and theme. Tone reflects the narrator's attitude. | 75 | |
| 3270356930 | iambic | a metrical foot in poetry that consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. (Ex. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?) | 76 | |
| 3270357970 | iambic pentameter | five iambs (10 syllables) unstressed followed by stressed syllables. Shakespeare wrote all of his sonnets in iambic pentameter. (Ex. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?) | 77 | |
| 3270363609 | Trochaic | a metrical foot in poetry opposite an iamb - the first syllable is stressed, the second is not. (Ex. By the shores of Gitchee Gumee / By the shining Big-Sea-Water...) | 78 | |
| 3270367827 | Terza rima | verse form consisting of three-lined stanzas in which the 2nd line of each stanza rhymes with the 1st and 3rd of the next. (Rhyme scheme: a,b,a b,c,b c,d,c...) | 79 | |
| 3270369520 | Synecdoche | when a part is used to signify a whole (Ex. All hands on deck! "Hands" stands for the whole of the sailors) | 80 | |
| 3270372515 | Speaker | the person, not necessarily the author, who is the voice of the poem | 81 | |
| 3270374071 | Paradox | a statement that seems contradictory but may actually be true (Hamlet: "I must be cruel to be kind.") | 82 | |
| 3270376243 | Oxymoron | a figure of speech that combines two apparently contradictory elements, sometimes resulting in a humorous image or statement (Ex. jumbo shrimp; deafening silence; baggy tights) | 83 | |
| 3270377603 | Ode | a lyric poem that is somewhat serious in subject and treatment, is elevated in style, and written to praise and exalt a person, characteristic, quality, or object. (Ex. Poe's "To Helen," or Keats's "Ode to a Nightingale") | 84 | |
| 3270378909 | Motif | a recurrent device, formula, or situation that often serves as a signal for the appearance of a character or event. (Ex. In The Great Gatsby, the recurring image, or motif, of the color green is found throughout the novel) | 85 | |
| 3270381184 | Metonymy | a figure of speech in which an attribute or commonly associated feature is used to name or designate something as in "The White House announced today..." or "The pen is mightier than the sword." ("Pen" stands for publishing - and can be extended to all media - and "sword" stands for military) | 86 | |
| 3270383962 | In media res | "in the midst of things" - refers to opening a story in the middle of the action | 87 | |
| 3270384684 | Enjambment | the continuation of a sentence from one line or couplet of a poem to the next (Example: Oh, may I join in the choir invisible/ Of those immortal dead who live again/ In minds made better by their presence; live/ In pulses stirred to generosity. | 88 | |
| 3270396191 | Asyndeton | a style in which conjunctions are omitted, usually producing a fast-paced, more rapid prose. (Ex. "I came, I saw, I conquered.") | 89 | |
| 3270403216 | Verbal Irony | when what is said is the opposite of what is meant (often displayed as sarcasm) | 90 | |
| 3270406381 | Shakespearean Sonnet | also called an English sonnet - 14 lines divided into three quatrains (4-lined stanzas) and a final couplet (2 lines). Usual rhyme scheme: abab, cdcd, efef, gg. | 91 | |
| 3270413834 | Masculine Rhyme | the final, stressed syllable in the words rhyme. Example: cat and rat; toy and destroy. | 92 | |
| 3270414572 | Feminine Rhyme | the next-to-last syllable makes a rhyming sound with the next-to-last syllable from the other word. The last syllables in both words sound exactly the same. Examples: label and table; sleeping and creeping; pony and macaroni | 93 | |
| 3270418721 | Chiasmus | a figure of speech by which the order of the terms in the first of two parallel clauses is reversed in the second (this may involve a repetition of the same words). Ex. "Pleasure's a sin, and sometimes sin's a pleasure" - Byron | 94 | |
| 3270422716 | Elegy | a poetic lament upon the death of a particular person, usually ending in consolation. | 95 | |
| 3270430701 | Polysyndeton | a stylistic device in which several coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) are used in succession in order to achieve an artistic effect. (Ex. ... and it was dark and there was water standing in the street and no lights or windows broke and boats all up in the town and trees blown down and everything all blown and....") | 96 | |
| 3270433889 | Pastoral | poems set in an idealized countryside inhabited by handsome shepherds and beautiful nymphs who are naïve and innocent yet express themselves with poetic sophistication | 97 | |
| 3270446444 | 3rd person omniscient | narrator is outside of the action and narration includes thoughts and feelings of multiple characters | 98 | |
| 3270447663 | zeugma | from Greek "yoking" or "bonding", is a figure of speech in which a word, usually a verb or an adjective, applies to more than one noun, blending together grammatically and logically different ideas. (Ex. "John lost his coat and his temper." The verb "lost" applies to both nouns - "coat" and "temper") | 99 |
