Literary Devices
Provide a definition for allusion?
an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
Define, Carpe Diem
"Seize the day"
Provide a definition for Ambiguity.
the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.
"we can detect no ambiguity in this section of the Act"
Tragedy
a genre that focuses around a noble character who struggles against strong external challenges.
Define In medias res
"into the middle of things"
provide an example of a connotation.
the word “stingy” promotes a negative image. Meanwhile, “thrifty” might connote something far more positive, meaning the person simply likes to be smart with their money.
What is Imagery?
Imagery is a literary device used in poetry, novels, and other writing that uses vivid description that appeals to a readers’ senses to create an image or idea in their head.
What does the word Audacious mean?
showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.
"a series of audacious takeovers"
Aberration
An aberration is an incident or way of behaving that is not typical.
Juxtaposition
In literature, juxtaposition can be as simple as a turn of phrase. Like: All's fair in love and war.
What is personification.
the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.
What does the word Euphemism mean?
A euphemism is an innocuous word or expression used in place of one that is deemed offensive or suggests something unpleasant.
Some euphemisms are intended to amuse, while others use bland, inoffensive terms for concepts that the user wishes to downplay.
Debilitate
to make weak or feeble; enfeeble
Realism
is an era of literary technique in which authors described things as they are without embellishment or fantastical plots.
Onomatopoeia
the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g. cuckoo, sizzle ).
"a relatively large number of bird names arise by onomatopoeia"
Provide an example for Hyperbole.
Hyperbole is a purposeful exaggeration not meant to be taken literally.
Example: When she did the flips at the dance, she landed as light as a feather
What is irony?
a situation where there is a contrast between reality and expectations
if it were a cold, rainy gray day, you might say, “What a beautiful day!” Or, alternatively, if you were suffering from a bad bout of food poisoning, you might say, “Wow, I feel great today.”
Provide an example of Benevolence
Helping your grandmother with her groceries is an act of benevolence — as long as she doesn't pay you a dollar per bag. Letting your little sister have the last helping of ice cream shows benevolence. Benevolence is any kind act, but it can also describe the desire to do nice things.
Allegory
Allegory is a literary device used to express large, complex ideas in an approachable manner.
Literal meaning + Hidden meaning = Allegory
Epiphany
is the moment when a character is suddenly struck with a life-changing realization which changes the rest of the story.
Provide an example of Foreshadowing.
if a character mentions offhandedly that bad things always happen to them in autumn, then the observant reader will be alert when the leaves in the story begin to fall.
What is a Protagonist?
A protagonist is the main character in a work of literature or movie.
Harry Potter
James Bond
Superman
Antagonist
the opposing force that the main character, also known as the protagonist, faces.
The antagonist is the opposing force in a story.
Satire
the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
Family Guy: uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to expose flaws in modern society.
Paradox
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar Wilde's famous declaration that "Life is much too important to be taken seriously" is a paradox.