202478489 | Slapstick | comedy characterized by physical action such as pie throwing | |
202478490 | Antagonist | the main character opposed to the principal character | |
202478491 | Connotation | the implications or suggestions evoked from a word; the emotional feelings attached to a word | |
202478492 | Denotation | a word's most literal meaning, exclusive of attitudes or feelings | |
202478493 | Archaism | a word or phrase no longer in actual speech | |
202478494 | Abstract Idea | a general statement about a quality or state rather than something concrete. Ex. truth, beauty | |
202478495 | Confidant (e) | a character to whom another reveals his most intimate feeling and intentions. May not be the protagonist | |
202478496 | Dynamic Character | a character who changes as a result of plot action--opposite of a static character | |
202478497 | Omniscient | a term used to describe a writer who is all-knowing and can read the thoughts of a number of characters | |
202478498 | Bombast | grandiloquent ranting, insincere, extravagant language | |
202478499 | Ambiguity | in literature it refers to works that give room for alternative reactions to a work | |
202478500 | Pleonasm | the label applied when more words than necessary are used to convey an idea; wordiness | |
202478501 | Biography | the account of the life of a person | |
202478502 | Pseudonym | a fictitious name assumed by a writer. Ex. Samuel Clemons' calling himself Mark Twain | |
202478503 | Irrelevant | the label attached to material in speech or writing that does not contribute to the development of a thread of thought or action | |
202478504 | Flashback | a device whereby the reader or audience learns of scenes or incidents that occurred prior to the opening scene | |
202478505 | Malapropism | an error in diction caused by the substitution of one word for another similar in sound but different in meaning. | |
202478506 | Antithesis | a rhetorical device in which contrasted words, clauses, or ideas are balanced with parallel structure | |
202478507 | Anachronism | literally "out of its time." a device describing something placed in an inappropriate time period. | |
202478508 | Denouement | the events following the final climax of a work; the final unraveling and setting straight | |
202478509 | Verisimilitude | the quality of reality or truth possessed by plot, episode, setting or character | |
202478510 | Provincial | narrow in point of view or approach | |
202478511 | Tragedy | a plot that follows the Aristotelian definition: disaster in the life of a person brought about by a character flaw | |
202478512 | Empathy | the feeling of identify that a reader has when he becomes so involved with a character that he relates to what the character is feeling | |
202478513 | Didactic | a label applied to a literary work when its principal aim is to give guidance in moral, ethical or religious matters | |
202478514 | Colloquial | characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation; the level of speech in every day conversation | |
202478515 | Pedantry | an excessive display of learning or knowledge; adjective form is pedantic | |
202478516 | Diction | the choice and arrangement of words | |
202478517 | Pathos | the quality in a work that causes a reader to feel pity | |
202478518 | Epiphany | a moment of sudden revelation or insight | |
202478519 | Foil | a person who serves by contrast to call attention to another person's characteristics (usually opposite the protagonist) | |
202478520 | Motif | a recurring pattern, incident, or situation in literature | |
202478521 | Setting | the time and place in which a story is set |
Literary Terms 2
Primary tabs
Need Help?
We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.
For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.
If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.
Need Notes?
While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!