Literary Terms
The process by which the writer reveals the personality and traits of a character.
What is characterization?
To order or to command.
What is a decree?
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?
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?
A literary genre or mode that uses a comedic or dark tone to expose flaws in human behavior.
What is satire?
Existing in a low state or condition.
What is abject?
A fictional character who serves as a protagonist but lacks traditional heroic qualities.
What is an anti-hero?
Prohibited or restricted by social custom.
What is taboo?
The way text is organized.
What is structure?
The state or quality of being serious and dignified.
What is solemnity?
A short story about a real incident or a person, typically told to make a point.
What is anecdote?
Bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.
What is evocative?
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?
A phrase or line repeated at intervals within a poem, especially at the end of a stanza
What is a refrain?
To damage or to show no respect toward something holy or very much respected.
What is desecrate?
A recurring element, an object, image, sound, phrase, or idea, in a story.
What is motif?
To describe or narrate a past event or experience.
What is recounted?
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?
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?
Three satirical techniques.
What are hyperbole, verbal irony, and understatement?
Condescending or speaking down to others as if you are superior.
What is patronizing?
When a speaker downplays a situation or characteristic, so that it seems less important or serious than it is in reality.
What is understatement?
The Sunday before Easter, when the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is celebrated in many Christian churches by processions in which palm fronds are carried.
What is Palm Sunday?
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?