Literary TermsLiterary Terms

English 11 APEnglish 11 AP

The FoilThe Foil A foil is a minor character who A foil is a minor character who

prevents the main character from prevents the main character from carrying out plans and/or succeeding.carrying out plans and/or succeeding.

A foil may also be used to contrast A foil may also be used to contrast the traits of a character.the traits of a character.

In this way, Tybalt can be seen as a In this way, Tybalt can be seen as a foil, as he is in direct contrast with foil, as he is in direct contrast with Romeo and ruins his hopes for Romeo and ruins his hopes for happiness.happiness.

AnachronismAnachronism

An anachronism is an event that An anachronism is an event that does not belong in the time period in does not belong in the time period in which it is presented. This image, for which it is presented. This image, for example, is anachronistic.example, is anachronistic.

http://www.dezignwithaz.com/images/mona-lisa-painting-on-canvas.png

Static and Dynamic CharactersStatic and Dynamic Characters

A static character is a character who A static character is a character who does not undergo an important does not undergo an important internal change. (This is not a bad internal change. (This is not a bad thing, necessarily. Thomas More, in thing, necessarily. Thomas More, in A Man for All SeasonsA Man for All Seasons, was a static , was a static character.)character.)

A dynamic character undergoes an A dynamic character undergoes an important internal change important internal change throughout the course of the text.throughout the course of the text.

Maxim, Aphorism, ProverbMaxim, Aphorism, Proverb

A maxim is a basic rule of conduct. A maxim is a basic rule of conduct. (“Actions speak louder than words.”)(“Actions speak louder than words.”)

A proverb is a wise, true, often A proverb is a wise, true, often metaphorical statement. (“Look before you metaphorical statement. (“Look before you leap.”)leap.”)

An aphorism is a brief sentence expressing An aphorism is a brief sentence expressing a general thought. (“We must become the a general thought. (“We must become the change we wish to see.”)change we wish to see.”)

SatireSatire

A literary work in which human vice A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit. derision, or wit.

A Modest ProposalA Modest Proposal, by Jonathan , by Jonathan Swift, is the classic example of satire Swift, is the classic example of satire in the English language.in the English language.

Pathetic FallacyPathetic Fallacy

Pathetic Fallacy is a type of Pathetic Fallacy is a type of personification, where inanimate personification, where inanimate objects are specifically given human objects are specifically given human feelings and emotions.feelings and emotions.

““A Cruel Wind” would be a good A Cruel Wind” would be a good example of this.example of this.

Aristotle’s UnitiesAristotle’s Unities Unity of place (stories should take Unity of place (stories should take

place in one specific area)place in one specific area)

Unity of time (stories should take Unity of time (stories should take place within a single day)place within a single day)

Unity of action (elements of the story Unity of action (elements of the story should only contribute directly to the should only contribute directly to the action of the plot.)action of the plot.)

Example – “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”Example – “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”

MetonymyMetonymy

Metonymy - Metonymy - A figure of speech in A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it substituted for another with which it is closely associated, as in the use of is closely associated, as in the use of WashingtonWashington for for the United States the United States governmentgovernment or of or of the swordthe sword for for military power.military power.

(www.dictionary.com)(www.dictionary.com)

Cliché Cliché

Any word, phrase, or plot device that Any word, phrase, or plot device that has become trite or commonplace has become trite or commonplace through overuse.through overuse.

““When Hell freezes over!”When Hell freezes over!” ““Everyone and his dog knows a Everyone and his dog knows a

cliché!”cliché!” ““More clichés than you can shake a More clichés than you can shake a

stick at!”stick at!”

SynecdocheSynecdoche

A figure of speech where a part of A figure of speech where a part of something stands for the whole.something stands for the whole.

““Catch some rays”Catch some rays” ““Pumped him full of lead”Pumped him full of lead” ““200 head of cattle”200 head of cattle” ““Ask for her hand”Ask for her hand”

ArchetypesArchetypes An original model or type after which An original model or type after which

other similar things are patterned; a other similar things are patterned; a prototype: prototype: “‘Frankenstein’ . . . “‘Frankenstein’ . . . ‘Dracula’ . . . ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ ‘Dracula’ . . . ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ . . . the archetypes that have . . . the archetypes that have influenced all subsequent horror influenced all subsequent horror stories”stories” (New York Times) (New York Times)

The Tragic HeroThe Tragic Hero The Damsel in DistressThe Damsel in Distress The Hooker with a heart of goldThe Hooker with a heart of gold The Mean GirlThe Mean Girl

Assonance, Consonance and Assonance, Consonance and Dissonance Dissonance

Assonance – repeated vowel soundsAssonance – repeated vowel sounds

Consonance – repeated consonant Consonance – repeated consonant soundssounds

Dissonance – harsh sounds, Dissonance – harsh sounds, cacophony, unpleasant sounds in a cacophony, unpleasant sounds in a work of literature. work of literature.

PastoralPastoral Charmingly simple and serene; a Charmingly simple and serene; a

literary or other artistic work that literary or other artistic work that portrays or evokes rural life, usually portrays or evokes rural life, usually in an idealized way. in an idealized way.

Think of Blake’s “The Lamb” and Think of Blake’s “The Lamb” and even Coleridge’s “Frost at Midnight.”even Coleridge’s “Frost at Midnight.”

SymbolSymbol

Something that represents Something that represents something else by association, something else by association, resemblance, or convention, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to especially a material object used to represent something invisible. (represent something invisible. (www.answers.comwww.answers.com))

The Great Rooted Bed will symbolize The Great Rooted Bed will symbolize the permanence of Odysseus’ the permanence of Odysseus’ marriage to Penelope.marriage to Penelope.

RhetoricRhetoric

The art of speaking or writing The art of speaking or writing persuasively and effectively. There persuasively and effectively. There are a number of rhetorical are a number of rhetorical techniques that allow a writer to techniques that allow a writer to develop his or her develop his or her stylestyle, including , including metaphor, simile, alliteration, metaphor, simile, alliteration, assonance, consonance, dissonance, assonance, consonance, dissonance, irony, hyberbole, and dozens more.irony, hyberbole, and dozens more.

Now that you know…Now that you know…

Now that you know these literary Now that you know these literary terms, be prepared to define them terms, be prepared to define them (your own words are acceptable!) (your own words are acceptable!) and offer an example.and offer an example.

Try to remember the presentations Try to remember the presentations made by the groups when thinking of made by the groups when thinking of examples.examples.