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Literary Terms 2

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202478489Slapstickcomedy characterized by physical action such as pie throwing
202478490Antagonistthe main character opposed to the principal character
202478491Connotationthe implications or suggestions evoked from a word; the emotional feelings attached to a word
202478492Denotationa word's most literal meaning, exclusive of attitudes or feelings
202478493Archaisma word or phrase no longer in actual speech
202478494Abstract Ideaa general statement about a quality or state rather than something concrete. Ex. truth, beauty
202478495Confidant (e)a character to whom another reveals his most intimate feeling and intentions. May not be the protagonist
202478496Dynamic Charactera character who changes as a result of plot action--opposite of a static character
202478497Omniscienta term used to describe a writer who is all-knowing and can read the thoughts of a number of characters
202478498Bombastgrandiloquent ranting, insincere, extravagant language
202478499Ambiguityin literature it refers to works that give room for alternative reactions to a work
202478500Pleonasmthe label applied when more words than necessary are used to convey an idea; wordiness
202478501Biographythe account of the life of a person
202478502Pseudonyma fictitious name assumed by a writer. Ex. Samuel Clemons' calling himself Mark Twain
202478503Irrelevantthe label attached to material in speech or writing that does not contribute to the development of a thread of thought or action
202478504Flashbacka device whereby the reader or audience learns of scenes or incidents that occurred prior to the opening scene
202478505Malapropisman error in diction caused by the substitution of one word for another similar in sound but different in meaning.
202478506Antithesisa rhetorical device in which contrasted words, clauses, or ideas are balanced with parallel structure
202478507Anachronismliterally "out of its time." a device describing something placed in an inappropriate time period.
202478508Denouementthe events following the final climax of a work; the final unraveling and setting straight
202478509Verisimilitudethe quality of reality or truth possessed by plot, episode, setting or character
202478510Provincialnarrow in point of view or approach
202478511Tragedya plot that follows the Aristotelian definition: disaster in the life of a person brought about by a character flaw
202478512Empathythe feeling of identify that a reader has when he becomes so involved with a character that he relates to what the character is feeling
202478513Didactica label applied to a literary work when its principal aim is to give guidance in moral, ethical or religious matters
202478514Colloquialcharacteristic of informal spoken language or conversation; the level of speech in every day conversation
202478515Pedantryan excessive display of learning or knowledge; adjective form is pedantic
202478516Dictionthe choice and arrangement of words
202478517Pathosthe quality in a work that causes a reader to feel pity
202478518Epiphanya moment of sudden revelation or insight
202478519Foila person who serves by contrast to call attention to another person's characteristics (usually opposite the protagonist)
202478520Motifa recurring pattern, incident, or situation in literature
202478521Settingthe time and place in which a story is set

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