The strict definition of this term generally refers to saying one thing, and meaning another.
What is irony?
100
This literary period reflects a confidence in the ability of humanity to discern the
truth through reason and debate.
What is the Colonial / Revolutionary Period?
100
The meaning of this word is associated with secondary characteristics which often have either a negative or positive perception associated with them.
What is connotation?
100
A repetition of the last vowels and following sounds. Look at this example from Poe's "The Raven."
Ah, distinctly I remember, it was in the bleak December.
What is rhyme?
100
This type of writing, often referred to as verse, usually contains rhythm and rhyme.
What is poetry?
200
The description of a situation that is contrary to normal expectations or contains some sort of poetic justice. Example: a student uses a cell phone to cheat on a test, and Siri accidentally starts speaking, alerting the teacher and the class to the use of the device.
What is situational irony?
200
This literary period reflects an attempt to portray American life in a realistic manner.
What is Realism?
200
The meaning of the word refers to a gross exaggeration of the truth in order to make a point. For example, Holden says that "people never listen," and that "people always clap for the wrong things."
What is hyperbole?
200
The name of the act that occurs when a person uses the incorrect word by mistake and replaces it with another, with the supposed intention of sounding sophisticated and learned. In this example from Much About Nothing, Officer Dogberry states, "Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons."
What is malapropism?
200
A recognizable pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in verse.
What is meter?
300
Occurs when a character states something and has another meaning in mind, and also has a tone of humor, frustration, or condescension. Example: Holden tells Ackley that he is a real prince.
What is verbal irony, or sarcasm?
300
This literary period reflects a pessimistic outlook on life, mourning for a lost love, a violent or traumatic event, and a sad tone.
What is Dark Romanticism?
300
A comparison between two widely unlikely types of things. Example: comparing a person to a summer's day.
What is a conceit?
300
In this sentence structure, the normal word order is reversed. Yoda says, "Not ready you are a Jedi to become."
What is inversion?
300
Five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables. Example:
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plains.
What is Iambic Pentameter?
400
Occurs when the reader (or audience) realizes something that a character in a play or book does not. Example, Holden wants to be a "Catcher in the Rye," but he himself is the one that needs to be saved.
What is dramatic irony?
400
This literary period reflects a desire to break from tradition, establish new answers to questions about man's place in the universe, and experiment in form and style.
What is Modernism?
400
The use of a physical trait or characteristic as the name of a person. Example: Henry Fleming knew the tall soldier and the loud soldier.
What is an epithet?
400
This word pattern contains two words or phrases that appear odd together because they are considered mutually exclusive. Example: military intelligence.
What is an oxymoron?
400
Writing that typically does not feature rhythm and rhyme (everything except poetry)?
What is prose?
500
Occurs when the reader (or audience) realizes that a character's word or actions will lead to a tragic or fatal result, but the character does not.
What is tragic irony?
500
This literary period often features characters at the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum and vivid descriptions of gritty, harsh living conditions.
What is Naturalism?
500
The short poem at the beginning of a novel that sets the mood.
What is an epigraph?
500
A statement that appears to be a contradiction but contains a deep, underlying truth. For example, Hamlet says, "I must be cruel to be kind."