Lit Terms I
the writer’s attitude toward his/her audience and subject; it can be described as formal, informal, serious, playful, bitter, or ironic
tone
a type of figurative language in which a non-human subject is given human characteristics. The trees danced with their arms. Dawn’s fingers stretched out.
personification
short tale with a moral, which often includes unusual or even supernatural events
fable
a recurring and familiar pattern in literature (i.e. good vs. bad, underdog, damsel in distress, a quest for something, flawed protagonist, etc.)
archetype
A firsthand account, such as a speech, an autobiography, or a letter. These are useful because they directly express the thoughts and feelings of a writer, and it may include details that only an eyewitness can provide.
primary source
a play on words “My heart is too sore to soar with the others.” “My soles are so worn that my soul stands still.”
pun
an extreme exaggeration; “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!”
hyperbole
mockery of a view, group, or humanity, usually with the aim of inspiring change
satire
A narrative composed from personal experience. Often shorter than autobiographies
memoir
Using the words around an unfamiliar word to figure out the meaning
context clue
a figure of speech in which like or as is used to make a comparison of two basically unlike ideas; she runs like a cheetah.
simile
an expression that is peculiar to itself either grammatically or in having a meaning that cannot be derived from its parts. If we play our cards right or I don’t want to kick the bucket this year!
idiom
Comparison between two things; looking for similarities
analogy
Prejudice or inclination to one side regarding a topic, person, event, etc.
bias
An author’s reason for writing: to inform, to persuade, to narrate
author's purpose
a figure of speech which one thing is spoken of as though it were something else. His heart is a raging fire.
metaphor
two words used together that contradict one another. Jumbo Shrimp, loving hate, heavy lightness
oxymoron
a statement that seems to be contradictory but actually presents a truth. “War is peace” “Freedom is slavery” “Ignorance is strength” “My only love sprung from my only hate”
paradox
One or more sentences that state the central/main idea or purpose of an essay or other work of nonfiction
thesis
Repetition of consonant sounds in words that are close together “Hard on Hector’s heels/kept after him, the way a hound will harry.”
alliteration
a short story used to teach a moral
parable
an overused word or phrase
cliche
symbolic story structured with at least two levels of meaning
allegory
The pieces of evidence that a writer uses to prove the main idea. These details can include facts, statistics, quotations, or anecdotes.
supporting details
Word, line, or image repeated for emphasis
repetition