a character whose traits are in direct contrast to those of the principal character. The foil typically highlights the traits of the protagonist. The foil is usually a minor character, although if there are two protagonists, they may be foils of each other.
What is foil
100
repetition of the first sound --usually a consonant sound--in several words of a sentence or a line of poetry.
What is alliteration
100
language used to express ideas through figures of speech; descriptions that aren't meant to be taken literally; types of figurative language include simile, metaphor, hyperbole, and personification
What is figurative language
100
a condensed form of paradox in which two seemingly contradictory terms are joined together: jumbo shrimp, wise fool, bittersweet.
What is oxymoron
100
figurative language in which one thing is said to be like or as another thing: The stars were like diamonds.
What is simile
200
one who is not fully developed; we know only one side of the character.
What is flat character
200
the method an author uses to develop characters' personalities or motives through the use of dialogue and
descriptions of their thoughts, appearance, emotions, and actions.
What is characterization
200
obvious exaggeration used for serious, comic, or ironic effect.
What is hyperbole
200
A statement that initially appears to be contradictory but then, on closer inspection, turns out to make sense. For example, "Death, thou shalt die."
What is paradox
200
the technique of using an image, person, place or thing to express the idea of something else: roses as symbols of love. (abstract ideas representing concrete things)
What is symbolism
300
one who is fully-developed, with many traits--bad and good--shown in the story. We feel that we know the character so well that he or she has become a real person.
What is round character
300
A specific piece of a literary work that makes up or adds to a larger picture or story.
What is detail
300
an expression whose meaning can't be understood literally: It's raining cats and dogs.
What is idiom
300
figurative language in which an animal, object, or ideas is given human characteristics: The wind whispered through the night.
What is personification
300
(litotes)--The opposite of hyperbole; a figure of speech statement, which lessens or minimizes the importance of what is meant: if one were in a desert where the temperature was 125 degrees, and saying "It's a little warm today."
What is understatment
400
occurs at the beginning of a work of fiction; established background information or lays out the scene.
What is exposition
400
a speaker or author’s word choice used for effect; includes connotation of words as well as denotation. (concrete vs. abstract; formal vs. informal or colloquial)
What is diction
400
the words and phrases used in writing that appeal to the senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. (Don’t just say “these images paint a picture in my mind. . . .”—far too generic!)
What is imagery
400
The structure and/or layout of a literary work that affects its overall purpose and/or effect. Look for differences in
organization among various works’ beginnings, middles, and ends.
What is organization
500
an all-knowing narrator who is not a character in the story and who can report the thoughts and feelings of the characters, as well as their words and actions. (See also limited omniscience and neutral omniscience.)
What is omniscient narrator
500
A social or regional variety of a particular language.
What is dialect
500
a direct comparison where one thing is said to be another thing: The stars were diamonds.
What is metaphor
500
the technique of repeating a word, phrase, or idea for emphasis and effect