Literary Terms #1
The process by which the writer reveals the personality and traits of a character.
What is characterization?
Spell the word that means: To order or to command.
What is a d-e-c-r-e-e?
The emotional "atmosphere" of a scene in a text, which often evokes feelings in the reader.
What is mood?
The violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group.
What is coup?
Spell the word that means: an offensive term to describe a person who does not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam.
What is h-e-a-t-h-e-n?
A question asked for a desired effect rather than for an answer.
What is a rhetorical question?
An offensive term to describe a person who does not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam.
What is a heathen?
Spell the word that means: to be controlled or restrained
What is s-u-b-d-u-e-d?
Yielding or giving in to someone or something
What is deferring?
A short story about a real incident or a person, typically told to make a point.
What is anecdote?
Spell the word that means: to describe or narrate a past event or experience.
What is r-e-c-o-u-n-t-e-d?
When a speaker exaggerates in an obvious way that is not meant to be taken literally.
What is hyperbole?
To be controlled or restrained
What is subdued?
Spell the word that means: to damage or to show no respect toward something holy or very much respected.
What is d-e-s-e-c-r-a-t-e?
The author's message in a text about the way the world works or what it means to be human.
What is theme?
A journey to a sacred place
What is a pilgrimage?
Spell the word that means: yielding or giving in to someone or something
What is d-e-f-r-r-i-n-g?
Beaten severely with a rod or whip
What is flogged?
A recurring element, an object, image, sound, phrase, or idea, in a story.
What is motif?
Spell the word that means: to stop something from happening or someone from doing something.
What is t-h-w-a-r-t?
When a speaker's intended meaning is the opposite of what they literally say.
What is verbal irony?
The quality of being well meaning; kindly.
What is benevolence?
Spell the word that means: small remaining quantities of something
What is r-e-m-n-a-n-t?
When a word, sentence, or phrase runs over from one poetic line to the next, without punctuation.
What is enjambment?
To speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner.
What is malign?
Spell the word that means: to speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner.
What is m-a-l-i-g-n?
Small remaining quantities of something
What is remnant?
A character that by contrast underscores or enhances the distinctive characteristics of another character.
What is foil?
Spell the word that means: condescending or speaking down to others as if you are superior.
What is p-a-t-r-o-n-i-z-i-n-g?
When a speaker downplays a situation or characteristic, so that it seems less important or serious than it is in reality.
What is understatement?
To damage or to show no respect toward something holy or very much respected.
What is desecrate?
Spell the word that means: a person who supports the established customs and beliefs of his or her society or group, and does not want to change them.
What is t-r-a-d-i-t-i-o-n-a-l-i-s-t?
Words or statements that a character says out loud. A characters inner voice.
What is external and internal dialogue?
To stop something from happening or someone from doing something.
What is thwart?
Spell the word that means: the quality of being well meaning; kindly.
What is b-e-n-e-v-o-l-e-n-c-e?
A person who supports the established customs and beliefs of his or her society or group, and does not want to change them.
What is a traditionalists?
An indirect (implied) reference to something/someone from literature, history, or culture.
What is allusion?
Spell the word that means: bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.
What is e-v-o-c-a-t-i-v-e?
A body of literature written by authors with roots in countries that were once colonies of European nations.
What is postcolonial literature?
A phrase or line repeated at intervals within a poem, especially at the end of a stanza
What is a refrain?
Spell the word that means: a journey to a sacred place
What is p-i-l-g-r-i-m-a-g-e?
The comparison of two unlike things in order to provide the reader with a deeper understanding of one of those things (EX: My brother is a stone.)
What is a metaphor?
Condescending or speaking down to others as if you are superior
What is patronizing?
Spell the word that means: when a word, sentence, or phrase runs over from one poetic line to the next, without punctuation.
What is e-n-j-a-m-b-m-e-n-t?
Bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.
What is evocative?