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F451 Lit
terms
38
English
Not Applicable
01/25/2007

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Term
Allegory
Definition
a story with a hidden or symbolic meaning
Term
Alliteration
Definition
the purposeful repetition of initial consonant sounds
Term
Allusion
Definition
a reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art
Term
Analogy
Definition
an explanation based upon a comparison that explains or describes one subject by pointing out its similarities to another subject
Term
Anaphora
Definition
one of the devices of repetition , in which the same expression (word or words) is repeated for effect at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences
Term
Anecdote
Definition
a short, often autobiographical, narrative told to achieve a purpose such as to provide an example, an illusion, or a thematic turth
Term
Antithesis
Definition
a direct contrast of structurally parallel word groupings, generally for the purpose of contrast
Term
Aphorism
Definition
a statement of some general principle, expressed memorably by condensing much wisdom into few words
Term
Apostrophe
Definition
a figure of speech in which a speaker directly addresses an inanimate object or an absent person or a personified quality
Term
Chiasmus
Definition
parallel structure in inverted/mirror form--two corresponding pairs arranged not in parallels(a-b-a-b) but in inverted order (a-b-b-a); from shape of the Greek letter chi
Term
Conceit
Definition
an elaborate, complex metaphor or simile comparing two extermely dissimilar things
Term
Cumulative sentence
Definition
same as loose sentence, this sentence makes complete sense if brought to a close before its actural ending. a cumulative or loose sentence begins with the main ideas and then expands on that idea with a series of details or other particulars
Term
Ellipsis
Definition
the deliberate omission of a word or words implied by the context and by the parallel structure
Term
Epiphany
Definition
a sudden understanding or realization which prior to this time was not thought of or understood
Term
Euphemism
Definition
a device where being indirect replaces directness to avoid embarrassment or unpleasantness
Term
Foreshadowing
Definition
the use in a literary work of clues that suggest events that have yet to occur
Term
Hyperbole
Definition
a deliberate exaggeration or overstatement
Term
Irony
Definition
the general name give to literary techniques that involve differences between appearance and reality, expectation and result, or meaning and intention
Term
Litotes
Definition
a form of understatement in which a thing is affirmed by stating the negative of its opposite
Term
Metaphor
Definition
a figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as though it were something else
Term
Metonymy
Definition
a figute of speech in which the name of one oject is substituted for that of another closely associated with it
Term
Onomatopoeia
Definition
the use of words that imitate sounds
Term
Oxymoron
Definition
a two-word figure of speech that combines two opposing or contradictory ideas
Term
Pathos
Definition
that quality in a real situation or in a literary work which evokes sympathy and feelings of sorrow and pity, usually indicating a helpless suffering caused by outside forces
Term
Periodic sentence
Definition
a sentence that places the main idea or central complete thought at the end of the sentence, after all introductory elements. the effect is a kind of suspense, as the reader's attention is propelled toward the end
Term
Personification
Definition
a type of fugurative language in which a nonhuman subject is given human characteristics
Term
Polysyndeton
Definition
the repetition of conjunctions in a series of coordinate words, phrases, or clauses
Term
Simile
Definition
a figure of speech in which like, as, or than is used to make an comparison between two basically unlike subjects
Term
Syllepsis
Definition
a construction in which one word seems to be in the same grammatical relation to two or more words but, in fact, is not
Term
Syllogism
Definition
a form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, and a conclusion
Term
Synecdoche
Definition
a form of metaphor in which a part of something is used to stand for the whole thing
Term
Synesthesia
Definition
the concurrent response of two or more of the senses to the stimulation of one
Term
Syntax
Definition
the physical arrangement of words in a sentence
Term
Understatement
Definition
saying less than is actually meant, generally in an ironinc way
Term
Balanced sentence
Definition
a sentence consisting of two or more clauses that are parallel in structure
Term
Parable
Definition
a brief allegory that is used to teach a moral lesson
Term
Paradox
Definition
statement of conclusion that, despite a seemingly valid argument based on acceptable premises behind it, leads to a conclusion that is senseless or fallacious
Term
Symbolism
Definition
When an object, item, word, symbol has a deeper meaning most often symbolizing something else
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