Literary Terms – Round 2 Literary Terms – Round 2 English 11 – Devine

ALLEGORYALLEGORYIn allegories people, abstract

ideas, or events are themselves, but also stand for something else on the symbolic level.

Used in prose and poetry, an allegory tells a story which explains an idea or a principle or gives a moral lesson.

AllusionAllusionA brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance that many people would recognize.

“Don’t act like a Romeo in front of her.”“This place is like a Garden of Eden.”

ANECDOTEANECDOTEA short narrative account of an

amusing, unusual, revealing, or interesting event. A good anecdote has a single, definite point, and the setting, dialogue, and characters are usually subordinate to that point. Writers may use anecdotes to clarify abstract points, to humanize individuals, or to create a memorable image in the reader's mind.

AntithesisAntithesisAn antithesis (which literally means

opposite), is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence or paragraph for achieving a contrasting effect.

Phrases or clauses are often contrasted in a parallel structure. The structures are similar in order to draw a listener’s or reader’s attention.

Patience is bitter, but it has a sweet fruit.You are easy on the eyes, but hard on the

heart.

AphorismAphorismAn aphorism is a statement of truth or

opinion expressed in a brief and witty manner. The term is often applied to philosophical, moral and literary principles.

The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. - William Faulkner

Life’s Tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.  - Benjamin Franklin

Life is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel. - Jean de La Bruyère

ApostropheApostropheA figure of speech by which the writer

or speaker addresses, in the second person, some person or thing, absent or present. It is a rhetorical speech (not requiring a response) often sad or frustrated in tone.

“Oh Death, be not proud.” – John Donne “Welcome, O life! I go to encounter for

the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race.” – James Joyce

CaricatureCaricatureA grotesque or foolish image of a character (and this includes a written or described image), achieved through the exaggeration of personality traits.

http://www.dezineguide.com/inspiration/40-amazing-examples-of-funny-caricatures/

CatharsisCatharsisCatharsis is a Greek word meaning

cleansing or healing. A catharsis is an emotional discharge which yields a state of moral or spiritual renewal or a feeling of liberation from anxiety and stress. In literature it is used for the cleansing of the audience’s emotions by witnessing characters expressing their own emotions. It is a vicarious process.

Conflict In literature, a conflict involves a struggle

between two opposing forces, usually a protagonist and an antagonist.

Internal and External Conflicts: An internal or psychological conflict arises as soon as a character experiences two opposite emotions or desires, usually virtue or vice or good and evil inside him. This disagreement causes a character to fall into mental agony.

External conflict is where a character finds himself in struggle with outside forces that hamper his progress.

CONNOTATIONCONNOTATIONThe extra implication or taint of meaning

each word carries beyond the minimal, strict definition found in a dictionary.

For instance, the terms civil war, revolution and rebellion have the same denotation; they all refer to an attempt at social or political change. However, civil war carries historical connotations for Americans. Likewise, revolution is often applied more generally to scientific or theoretical changes, and it does not necessarily connote violence. Rebellion, for many English speakers, connotes an improper uprising against a legitimate authority (thus we speak about "rebellious teenagers" rather than "revolutionary teenagers"). (Contrast with denotation.)

DENOTATIONDENOTATIONThe minimal, strict definition of a

word as found in a dictionary, disregarding any historical or emotional connotation. (Contrast with connotation.)

DialectDialectThe style and manner of speaking from one particular area, as related in writing.

New Yorkers say “New Yawk”

Southerners say “Ya’ll”Brommies say “In’it?”

EpiphanyEpiphanyAn epiphany is that a moment in the story where a character achieves realization, awareness or feeling of knowledge after which events in the story are seen through the prism of this new light.

HubrisHubrisHubris is extreme negative pride or

arrogance shown by a character that ultimately brings about his downfall.

Hubris is a typical personality flaw of a character who enjoys a powerful position as a result of which he overestimates his capabilities to such an extent that he loses his contact with the reality.

“Pride goeth before destruction.”

IdiomIdiomAn expression that is not interpreted

literally, but has a culturally based meaning, quite different from what the individual words mean. It is interpreted in a figurative sense and is often humorous.

Bought the farm, kicked the can = diedTossed his cookies, blew chunks =

vomitedWent postal, lost their marbles = went

crazyShe stood me up = ________________

ParallelismParallelismUsing components in a sentence that are

grammatically the same or similar in their construction, sound, meaning or meter.

This method adds balance and rhythm to sentences giving ideas a smoother flow and thus can be persuasive because of the repetition it employs.

“Alice ran into the room, into the garden, and into our hearts.”

“Whether in class, at work or at home, Shasta was always busy.”

“Flying is fun, convenient and fast.”

ParodyParodyParody is a direct imitation of a particular writer, artist or genre, exaggerating noticeable features deliberately to produce a comic effect.

SatireSatireIn satire the writer uses humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule, but NOT direct imitation, to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society. Fictional characters stand for real people.

RepetitionRepetitionRepetition is a literary device that

repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer. It could be a word, a phrase, a full sentence or a poetical line repeated to emphasize its significance in the entire text.

I looked upon the rotting sea,And drew my eyes away;I looked upon the rotting deck,And there the dead men lay.

- From the Rime of the Ancient Mariner

SynecdocheSynecdocheSynecdoche is a literary device in which

a part of something represents the whole.

The word “bread” refers to food or money as in “sole breadwinner.”

The phrase “gray beard” refers to an old man.

The word “suits” refers to businessmen.The word “boots” refers to soldiers, as

in “boots on the ground.”