Literary TermsLiterary Terms

Many terms can be found in your text.Many terms can be found in your text.

See the “Handbook of Literary Terms,” See the “Handbook of Literary Terms,” beginning on page 995beginning on page 995

Terms with an asterisk (*) are not Terms with an asterisk (*) are not available in the text.available in the text.

*Allegory*Allegory A story or visual image with a second A story or visual image with a second

distinct meaning partially hidden distinct meaning partially hidden behind its literal meaningbehind its literal meaning

Narrative in which characters, action, Narrative in which characters, action, and sometimes setting have an and sometimes setting have an underlying meaningunderlying meaning

AlliterationAlliteration

Repetition of the same or similar Repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are consonant sounds in words that are close togetherclose together

AllusionAllusion

Reference to a statement, person, Reference to a statement, person, place, event, or thing that is known place, event, or thing that is known from literature, history, religion, from literature, history, religion, myth, politics, sports, or the arts.myth, politics, sports, or the arts.

Antagonist (see protagonist)Antagonist (see protagonist)

The character or force that blocks the The character or force that blocks the protagonistprotagonist

AsideAside

Stage whisper; a Stage whisper; a remarkremark spoken in an spoken in an undertone by a character in a play. undertone by a character in a play. The remark is heard by the audience The remark is heard by the audience but not by the other characters on but not by the other characters on stage.stage.

AssonanceAssonance Repetition of similar vowel sounds Repetition of similar vowel sounds

followed by different consonant followed by different consonant sounds in words that are close sounds in words that are close togethertogether

Example: Example: And so all the nAnd so all the niight tght tiide, de, II l lieie down by the sdown by the siide, Of mde, Of myy darling, m darling, myy darling, mdarling, myy l liife and mfe and myy brid bridee

--Poe, “Annabel Lee”--Poe, “Annabel Lee”

Ballad: Song or song-like poem that Ballad: Song or song-like poem that tells a storytells a story

Often has a tragic endingOften has a tragic ending Simple language, with rhythm, Simple language, with rhythm,

rhyme, and repetitionrhyme, and repetition Use of refrainsUse of refrains Folk ballads = oral tradition; Folk ballads = oral tradition;

unknown singersunknown singers

Blank VerseBlank Verse Poetry written in unrhymed iambic Poetry written in unrhymed iambic

pentameterpentameter Blank verse means poetry is Blank verse means poetry is

unrhymedunrhymed Iambic pentameter means each line Iambic pentameter means each line

contains five iambs (unstressed contains five iambs (unstressed syllable then stressed syllable)syllable then stressed syllable)

CharacterizationCharacterization

Direct/IndirectDirect/Indirect Dynamic/StaticDynamic/Static Flat/RoundFlat/Round Character MotivationCharacter Motivation

Direct and Indirect CharacterizationDirect and Indirect Characterization Direct: The author states the character’s Direct: The author states the character’s

traits or special qualities.traits or special qualities. Indirect: The author uses clues to reveal Indirect: The author uses clues to reveal

character traits in the following ways:character traits in the following ways:AppearanceAppearance ActionsActions

SpeechSpeech Private thoughtsPrivate thoughts

The responses of other charactersThe responses of other characters

Dynamic or Static Character?Dynamic or Static Character?

A static character does not change A static character does not change much during the course of the story.much during the course of the story.

A dynamic character changes in A dynamic character changes in some important way as a result of the some important way as a result of the story’s action.story’s action.

Flat vs. Round CharactersFlat vs. Round Characters

Flat characters are one-dimensional Flat characters are one-dimensional and have only one or two personality and have only one or two personality traits. They can be summed up in traits. They can be summed up in one or two sentences.one or two sentences.

Round characters are complex and Round characters are complex and have many different traits.have many different traits.

Character MotivationCharacter Motivation

What moves a character to act as he What moves a character to act as he or she (or it) does?or she (or it) does?

Often, motives are not stated, but Often, motives are not stated, but implied.implied.

Use clues in a story to Use clues in a story to inferinfer the the reasons characters behave the way reasons characters behave the way they do.they do.

ClimaxClimax

The turning point in a storyThe turning point in a story The height of actionThe height of action Everything is “downhill” from this Everything is “downhill” from this

point (falling action).point (falling action).

ConflictConflict Struggle or clash between opposing Struggle or clash between opposing

characters, forces, or emotionscharacters, forces, or emotions External: Character struggles with an External: Character struggles with an

outside force (another character, nature, outside force (another character, nature, society, technology)society, technology)

Internal: Struggle between opposing Internal: Struggle between opposing needs, desires, or emotions within a needs, desires, or emotions within a charactercharacter

ConnotationsConnotations

All the meanings, associations, or All the meanings, associations, or emotions that a word suggestsemotions that a word suggests

Denotation is the literal meaning of a Denotation is the literal meaning of a word (definition).word (definition).

Ex: slender, thin, skinny all have the Ex: slender, thin, skinny all have the same denotation but different same denotation but different connotations.connotations.

DialectDialect Way of speaking that is characteristic Way of speaking that is characteristic

of a particular region or group of of a particular region or group of peoplepeople May have a distinct vocabulary, May have a distinct vocabulary,

pronunciation system, and grammarpronunciation system, and grammar U.S. dialects include Maine, Brooklyn, U.S. dialects include Maine, Brooklyn,

Cajun, Appalachia, and standard Cajun, Appalachia, and standard EnglishEnglish

DictionDiction: Writer’s choice of words. : Writer’s choice of words. Essential element of a writer’s style.Essential element of a writer’s style. Involves connotations of words and Involves connotations of words and

phrasesphrases Any words or word groups that are Any words or word groups that are

important to the meaning and effect of important to the meaning and effect of literature/poetryliterature/poetry

Figurative language: metaphor, simile, Figurative language: metaphor, simile, personification,…personification,…

Elizabethan English: Elizabethan English: The The language of Shakespeare’s eralanguage of Shakespeare’s era

FableFable

Brief story in prose or poetry that Brief story in prose or poetry that teaches a moral, or practical lesson teaches a moral, or practical lesson about life.about life.

Characters in fables are usually Characters in fables are usually animals that behave as humans.animals that behave as humans.

Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

Language that conveys meaning Language that conveys meaning beyond the literal meaning, or beyond the literal meaning, or denotation. denotation. FigurativeFigurative means that means that the words are used in some thought-the words are used in some thought-provoking or symbolic way.provoking or symbolic way.

FlashbackFlashback: Scene that interrupts the : Scene that interrupts the present action of a plot to show present action of a plot to show events that happened at an earlier events that happened at an earlier time.time.

FoilFoil

Character who serves as a contrast to Character who serves as a contrast to another characteranother character

Used to emphasize differences Used to emphasize differences between two characters or to between two characters or to highlight the traits of one characterhighlight the traits of one character

ForeshadowingForeshadowing

The use of clues that hint at events The use of clues that hint at events that occur later in the plotthat occur later in the plot

IdiomIdiom: Expression peculiar to a : Expression peculiar to a particular language that means particular language that means something different from the literal something different from the literal meaning of the words. meaning of the words.

ChickenChicken = coward = coward Under the weatherUnder the weather = sick = sick Get on one’s nervesGet on one’s nerves = irritate someone = irritate someone

ImageryImagery

Language that appeals to the senses: Language that appeals to the senses: sightsight, sound, smell, touch, taste, sound, smell, touch, taste

IronyIrony: Contrast or discrepancy : Contrast or discrepancy between expectation and reality.between expectation and reality. VerbalVerbal: A speaker says one thing but : A speaker says one thing but

means the opposite.means the opposite. SituationalSituational: What actually happens is : What actually happens is

the opposite of what is expected or the opposite of what is expected or appropriate.appropriate.

DramaticDramatic: The reader or audience : The reader or audience knows something important that a knows something important that a character does not know.character does not know.

Lyric PoetryLyric Poetry

Poetry that expresses a speaker’s Poetry that expresses a speaker’s emotions or thoughts and does not emotions or thoughts and does not tell a story.tell a story.

Most common formMost common form Ode, elegy, haiku, tanka, sonnet,…Ode, elegy, haiku, tanka, sonnet,…

MetaphorMetaphor Figure of speech that makes a Figure of speech that makes a

comparison between two unlike comparison between two unlike things without using a connective things without using a connective word such as word such as likelike, , asas, or , or thanthan Direct metaphorDirect metaphor Implied metaphorImplied metaphor Extended metaphorExtended metaphor

MeterMeter

Generally regular pattern of stressed and Generally regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry (see rhythm)unstressed syllables in poetry (see rhythm)

The number of feet in a line of poetryThe number of feet in a line of poetry

MonologueMonologue

A long, uninterrupted speech by one A long, uninterrupted speech by one character, to which the other character, to which the other characters listencharacters listen

MoodMood

The atmosphere and feeling that a The atmosphere and feeling that a writer creates in a work through the writer creates in a work through the choice of setting, imagery, choice of setting, imagery, descriptions, and other evocative descriptions, and other evocative wordswords

*Motif*Motif: A frequently-repeated : A frequently-repeated incident or idea in a work of incident or idea in a work of literature which underlines an literature which underlines an important theme.important theme.

PersonificationPersonification

Type of metaphor in which a Type of metaphor in which a nonhuman thing or quality is given nonhuman thing or quality is given human characteristicshuman characteristics

PlotPlot

The sequence of actions and events The sequence of actions and events in a drama or work of fictionin a drama or work of fiction

Point of ViewPoint of View The perspective from which a story is The perspective from which a story is

told; author’s choice of narratortold; author’s choice of narrator First Person: A character in the story First Person: A character in the story

narrates; the character is part of the story narrates; the character is part of the story (pronouns—I, me, our, us,…)(pronouns—I, me, our, us,…)

Third Person: Narrator is not in the story Third Person: Narrator is not in the story (pronouns—he, they, she, them,…)(pronouns—he, they, she, them,…) Omniscient: All-knowing narratorOmniscient: All-knowing narrator Limited: Narrator knows thoughts of one Limited: Narrator knows thoughts of one

character or a small group character or a small group

ProtagonistProtagonist

Main character in fiction or dramaMain character in fiction or drama Focus of attentionFocus of attention The character that sets the plot in The character that sets the plot in

motionmotion

PunPun

Play on the multiple meaning of a Play on the multiple meaning of a word or on two words that sound word or on two words that sound alike but have different meaningsalike but have different meanings

ResolutionResolution

The final part of the plot of a drama The final part of the plot of a drama or work of fiction. Explains how the or work of fiction. Explains how the conflict is resolved. Often ties up conflict is resolved. Often ties up loose ends.loose ends.

Rhyme/RhythmRhyme/Rhythm

Rhyme is the repetition of accented vowels Rhyme is the repetition of accented vowels sounds and all sounds following them in words sounds and all sounds following them in words that are close together in a poemthat are close together in a poem

Rhythm is the musical quality in language Rhythm is the musical quality in language produced by repetition. Occurs naturally in produced by repetition. Occurs naturally in language. Poems written in meter create language. Poems written in meter create rhythm through patterns of stressed and rhythm through patterns of stressed and unstressed syllablesunstressed syllables

SatireSatire: Type of writing that ridicules : Type of writing that ridicules human weakness, vice or folly in human weakness, vice or folly in order to bring about social reform.order to bring about social reform. Often an attempt to persuade the reader Often an attempt to persuade the reader

into believing something by showing into believing something by showing the opposite view as absurd, vicious, or the opposite view as absurd, vicious, or inhumane.inhumane.

Exaggeration used as a writing Exaggeration used as a writing technique.technique.

SettingSetting

In a drama or work of fiction, setting In a drama or work of fiction, setting is the time and place in which the is the time and place in which the action occursaction occurs

SimileSimile

Figure of speech that makes a Figure of speech that makes a comparison between two seemingly comparison between two seemingly unlike things by using a connective unlike things by using a connective word such as word such as likelike, , asas, or , or thanthan

SoliloquySoliloquy

A long speech in which a character A long speech in which a character expresses private remarks or feelingsexpresses private remarks or feelings

Character is either alone on stage or Character is either alone on stage or ignored by other characters who are ignored by other characters who are also on stagealso on stage

Sonnet: Fourteen-line lyric poem Sonnet: Fourteen-line lyric poem usually written in iambic pentameterusually written in iambic pentameter

Italian or Petrarchan sonnetItalian or Petrarchan sonnet Shakespearean or English sonnetShakespearean or English sonnet

Three quatrainsThree quatrains Couplet (sums up message)Couplet (sums up message)

Speaker in Poetry: The voice Speaker in Poetry: The voice that is talking to us in a poemthat is talking to us in a poem

Sometimes the poet is the speakerSometimes the poet is the speaker Poet may create a different voice Poet may create a different voice

(child, man, woman, object, animal,(child, man, woman, object, animal,…)…)

*Stereotype*Stereotype: Oversimplified idea of : Oversimplified idea of someone or something that allows for someone or something that allows for no individuality. Often a mental no individuality. Often a mental picture that members of a group picture that members of a group believe typifies all members of some believe typifies all members of some other group.other group.

SymbolSymbol: Person, place, thing, or : Person, place, thing, or event that stands for itself and event that stands for itself and something beyond itself—often an something beyond itself—often an abstract idea.abstract idea.

StyleStyleThe particular way in which writers The particular way in which writers

express their ideas. It refers not to express their ideas. It refers not to what is said, but rather how it is said. what is said, but rather how it is said. Elements that make up a writer’s Elements that make up a writer’s style include syntax, descriptive style include syntax, descriptive language, tone, point of view, use of language, tone, point of view, use of dialogue, use of irony, and methods dialogue, use of irony, and methods of characterization.of characterization.

SuspenseSuspense

The uncertainty or anxiety we feel The uncertainty or anxiety we feel about what is going to happen next in about what is going to happen next in a story.a story.

Syntax: The way words and phrases Syntax: The way words and phrases are arranged to form phrases and are arranged to form phrases and sentencessentences Sentence length/number of sentencesSentence length/number of sentences Sentence types (simple, compound,Sentence types (simple, compound,

…)…) Phrasing patternsPhrasing patterns Specific kinds of punctuationSpecific kinds of punctuation RepetitionRepetition

Tanka: A Japanese poetic formTanka: A Japanese poetic form

Evokes a strong feeling with a single Evokes a strong feeling with a single imageimage

Five unrhymed lines; 31 syllables Five unrhymed lines; 31 syllables totaltotal

Lines 1, 3 = 5 syllables eachLines 1, 3 = 5 syllables each Lines 2, 4, 5, = 7 syllables eachLines 2, 4, 5, = 7 syllables each

Theme (see text, pp. 182, 183)Theme (see text, pp. 182, 183) The central idea or insight revealed The central idea or insight revealed

by a work of literatureby a work of literature Must use Must use at leastat least one complete one complete

sentence to state a theme, often moresentence to state a theme, often more Not the same as a moral or rule of Not the same as a moral or rule of

conduct (“Crime doesn’t pay.”)conduct (“Crime doesn’t pay.”) Often, what the protagonist learns Often, what the protagonist learns

about life is also what the author wants about life is also what the author wants the reader to discover.the reader to discover.

ToneTone: : The author’s feelings or attitude The author’s feelings or attitude about his or her subjectabout his or her subject Intonation of voice that expresses Intonation of voice that expresses

meaningmeaning Described using adjectives (quiet, Described using adjectives (quiet,

apprehensive, confident,…)apprehensive, confident,…) May change throughout the pieceMay change throughout the piece Result of allusion, diction, figurative Result of allusion, diction, figurative

language, imagery, irony, symbolism, language, imagery, irony, symbolism, syntax,…syntax,…

TragedyTragedy Drama that begins peacefully and Drama that begins peacefully and

ends in violenceends in violence One or more characters come to an One or more characters come to an

unhappy endunhappy end Fate, weaknesses or flaws in Fate, weaknesses or flaws in

characters contribute to endingcharacters contribute to ending Resolution to the plot is called the Resolution to the plot is called the

catastrophecatastrophe

Tragic Hero: Tragic Hero: Not an ordinary man, but a Not an ordinary man, but a man with outstanding quality and greatness man with outstanding quality and greatness about him.about him. Usually of noble birthUsually of noble birth Possesses a tragic flaw: a personality trait Possesses a tragic flaw: a personality trait

that eventually leads to his downfallthat eventually leads to his downfall His actions result in self-awareness and His actions result in self-awareness and

self-knowledgeself-knowledge The audiences should pity or fear the The audiences should pity or fear the

tragic herotragic hero

VoiceVoice: Voice is the distinct : Voice is the distinct personality, style, and point of view personality, style, and point of view of a piece of writing or any other of a piece of writing or any other creative work. creative work.

What is writer attempting to What is writer attempting to communicate about him/herself?communicate about him/herself?

What is the purpose of the writing?What is the purpose of the writing? Who is the audience?Who is the audience?