Literary Terms
Literary Terms
Figurative Devices
Misc. Terms
Poetry & Sound Devices
100
interrupting the plot of a story to recreate an incident from an earlier time to reveal important information about plot or character
What is flashback
100
the message in the story; the truth or central idea a story reveals about life; universal message; implied and not stated
What is theme
100
1. an extreme exaggeration to make a point 2. a statement that underplays something in an extreme way 3. Giving human qualities to nonhuman things 4. an expression that has a meaning particular to a language or region. A phrase in which the literal meaning of the words does not add up to the actual meaning. (i.e. break a leg, it's raining cats and dogs)
What is 1. hyperbole 2. understatement/litote 3. personification 4. idiom
100
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
What is allegory
100
the use of words that imitate sounds and can help put the reader in the activity of a poem (hiss, buzz)
What is onomatopoeia
200
hints or clues suggesting what may happen later in the story
What is foreshadowing
200
Answer ALL these questions regarding POINT OF VIEW 1. the narrator is an outside observer who can tell us the thoughts and feelings of ALL (or most) of the characters 2. the narrator is the main character in the story; told from his or her perspective 3. the narrator is an outside observer who focuses on the thoughts and feelings of ONE (the main) character 4. the narrator is an outside observer who only reports actions; we don't get the thoughts or feelings of any character 5. The story is told from "your" perspective and places the reader directly in the story
What is 1. third person omniscient 2. first person 3. third person limited 4. third person objective 5. second person
200
1. a concrete object which represents an abstract concept 2. A part is mentioned for the whole or a whole is mentioned for a part. 3. a type of syndecdoche where ONLY the part is replaced for the whole (I.E. take my hand in marriage; the suits were at the office)
What is 1. symbolism 2. synecdoche 3. metonymy
200
The use of humor in a play, novel, or movie to criticize someone’s ideas
What is satire
200
1. the use of a word, phrase, line or sound MORE THAN ONCE. 2. the repetition of beginning words, phrases, or sentences 3. No punctuation at the end of a line of poetry 4. Some sort of punctuation in a line of poetry or at the end of a line of poetry, which causes the reader to pause.
What is 1. repetition 2. anaphora 3. enjambment 4. ceasura
300
a character in the story who is in conflict with the main character
What is antagonist
300
Answer ALL the following questions regarding plot 1. the turning point of the story; the story's conflict reaches its peak 2. the beginning of the story; introduces character and setting; hints at the conflict 3. the events after the climax where the conflict begins to be resolved 4. a series of events where the conflict develops and suspense builds 5. ties up loose ends and concludes the story ***Place the sequence of events in order
What is 1. climax 2. exposition 3. falling action 4. rising action 5. resolution ***exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution
300
1. a reference to literature, pop culture, history, etc. to make a point or draw a comparison (i.e. It's raining so bad, we need Noah to make another ark) 2. A figure of speech in which two words next to each other seem to contradict each other, but it actually makes sense. i.e. Old news; bittersweet 3. A statement that seems to contradict itself, but actually makes sense and leads to a greater truth or meaning (i.e. Less is more.)
What is 1. allusion 2. oxymoron 3. paradox
300
a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing
What is parody
300
1. The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. (Ex. Sally sells seashells by the seashore) 2. the repetition of vowel sounds in words that DON’T end in the same consonant. i.e. the o sound in loud brown cow 3. the effect created when words with the same consonant sound are used in close proximity (inside the word), but where the vowel sounds in these words are different. i.e. -the t sound in pitter patter
What is 1. alliteration 2. assonance 3. consonance
400
the main character in the story
What is protagonist
400
1. saying something and meaning the opposite 2. when the reader or viewer knows something that the character does not 3. when the opposite of what is expected occurs
What is 1. verbal irony 2. dramatic irony 3. situational irony
400
1. comparing two unlike things WITHOUT using like or as 2. comparing two unlike things using like or as 3. A comparison between two things without using like or as that is NOT directly stated; the reader has to infer it and figure out the comparison. 4. A comparison between two things without using like or as that is shown throughout the whole story or poem
What is 1. metaphor 2. simile 3. implied metaphor 4. extended metaphor
400
1. the author or speaker's word choice 2. a word's dictionary definition 3. the feelings and emotions associated with a word
What is 1. diction 2. denotation 3. connotation
400
1. type of poetry that tells a story 2. type of poetry that expresses strong feeling, is very rhythmic, song-like, and rhymes 3. Poetry that has no regular rhythm, rhyme, meter, set line length, or structure
What is 1. narrative 2. lyrical 3. free verse
500
the anxiety the reader feels about what may happen later in the story
What is suspense
500
1. the overall feeling of a piece of literature 2. the author's attitude towards the subject
What is 1. mood 2. tone
500
1. a mild or indirect word or expression in place of one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing 2. the humorous use of a word or phrase to emphasize or suggest different meanings or applications; words that are alike or nearly alike in sound but different in meaning; a play on words--i.e. What do you call a fake noodle? --An impasta
What is 1. euphemism 2. pun
500
1. the problem in the story 2. a problem outside a character 3. a problem within a character (i.e. feelings; struggle with a decision)
What is 1. conflict 2. external conflict 3. internal conflict
500
1. a poem that celebrates a subject; a tribute to an object, person, or event; can be serious or humorous; may or not use rhythm and meter 2. Very short poem of Japanese origins; contains 17 syllables (5-7-5) 3. a poem with 14 lines (3 quatrains and a couplet); written in iambic pentameter (alternating unstressed/stressed syllables) Iam is stressed/unstressed and pent=five; rhyme scheme=ABAB CDCD EFEF GG 4. a poem written in response to a death of a person or group; may express grief, sorrow, praise, admiration, or solace; a poem of mourning 5. a poem that is meant to be sung; tells a story (often sad); has refrains; simple rhyme scheme and regular rhythm (meters)
What is 1. Ode 2. Haiku 3. Sonnet 4. Elegy 5. Ballad
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