Terms : Hide Images
| 215079310 | abstract | An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research | |
| 215079311 | adage | A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language | |
| 215079312 | allegory | A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical, or possibly an ethical meaning | |
| 215079313 | alliteration | The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose | |
| 215079314 | allusion | A reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea | |
| 215079315 | ambiguity | A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation | |
| 215079316 | anachronism | A person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set | |
| 215079317 | analogy | A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things | |
| 215079318 | annotation | A brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature | |
| 215079319 | antagonist | A character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict | |
| 215079320 | antithesis | A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences: "They promised freedom but provided slavery" | |
| 215079321 | aphorism | A short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment | |
| 215079322 | Apollonian | In contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior | |
| 215079323 | apostrophe | A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present | |
| 215079324 | archetype | An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form | |
| 215079325 | assonance | The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose | |
| 215079326 | ballad | A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited | |
| 215079327 | bard | A poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment | |
| 215079328 | bathos | The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality | |
| 215079329 | belle-lettres | French term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general | |
| 215079330 | bibliography | A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work. | |
| 215079331 | Bildungsroman | A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal | |
| 215079332 | blank verse | Poetry written in iambic pentameter, the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton | |
| 215079333 | bombast | Inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects | |
| 215079334 | burlesque | A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation | |
| 215079335 | cacophony | Grating, inharmonious sounds | |
| 215079336 | caesura | A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often (but not always) marked by punctuation | |
| 215079337 | canon | The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied | |
| 215079338 | caricature | A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things | |
| 215079339 | carpe diem | Literally, "seize the day"; enjoy life while you can, a common theme in literature | |
| 215079340 | catharsis | A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy | |
| 215079341 | classic | A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time | |
| 215079342 | classicism | Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity, and restraint | |
| 215079343 | climax | The high point, or turning point, of a story or play | |
| 215079344 | coming-of-age story | A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment, education, doses of reality, or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturity | |
| 215079345 | conceit | A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language | |
| 215079346 | connotation | The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase | |
| 215079347 | consonance | The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry | |
| 215079348 | couplet | A pair of rhyming lines in a poem | |
| 215079349 | denotation | The dictionary definition of a word | |
| 215079350 | denouement | The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction | |
| 215079351 | deus ex machina | In literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem | |
| 215079352 | diction | The choice of words in oral and written discourse | |
| 215079353 | Dionysian | As distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses | |
| 215079354 | dramatic irony | A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character, ex. Oedipus Rex | |
| 215079355 | elegy | A poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value | |
| 215079356 | ellipsis | Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation | |
| 215079357 | elliptical construction | A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence "May was hot and June the same," the verb "was" is omitted from the second clause | |
| 215079358 | empathy | A feeling of association or identification with an object or person | |
| 215079359 | end-stopped | A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation. | |
| 215079360 | enjambment | In poetry, the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them | |
| 215079361 | epic | An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure, i.e. Odysseus, Beowulf, Homer's Iliad, Vergil's Aeneid. | |
| 215079362 | epigram | A concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement | |
| 215079363 | euphony | Pleasing, harmonious sounds | |
| 215079364 | epithet | An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing, ex. sun-bright topaz, sun-lit lake, sun-bright lake | |
| 215079365 | eponymous | A term for the title character of a work of literature | |
| 215079366 | euphemism | A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term; i.e. "pass away" instead of "die" | |
| 215079367 | exegesis | A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature | |
| 215079368 | expose | A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings | |
| 215079369 | exposition | The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature | |
| 215079370 | explication | The interpretation or analysis of a text. | |
| 215079371 | extended metaphor | A series of comparisons between two unlike objects | |
| 215079372 | fable | A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior | |
| 215079373 | falling action | The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict | |
| 215079374 | fantasy | A story containing unreal, imaginary features | |
| 215079375 | farce | A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose. | |
| 215079376 | figurative language | Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language, it implies meanings. Includes metaphors, similes, and personification, among others. | |
| 215079377 | first-person narrative | A narrative told by a character involved in the story, using first-person pronouns such as I and we. | |
| 215079378 | flashback | A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances. | |
| 215079379 | foot | A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line. | |
| 215079380 | foreshadowing | Providing hints of things to come in a story or play | |
| 215079381 | frame | A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative | |
| 215079382 | free verse | A kind of poetry without rhymed lines, rhythm, or fixed metrical feet | |
| 215079383 | foil | A minor character whose personality or attitude contrasts with that of the main character. Juxtaposing one character against another intensifies the qualities of both to advantage or sometimes to a disadvantage. |
