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Literary Terms
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22
English
12th Grade
10/14/2013

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Term
allegory
Definition
extended narrative carrying second meaning along with surface story
- people, places, objects, events represent themselves alongside something else
Term
alliteration
Definition
repetition of similar sounds, usually consonants/consonant clusters, in a group of words
Term
allusion
Definition
brief reference, explicit or implicit, to a person, place, event, or other literary work or passage
Term
ambiguity
Definition
Term
Latinate
Definition
of, relative to, resembling, or derived from Latin
Term
legend
Definition
A folk story concerning historical or reputedly historical figures, with less of the supernatural and more authenticity than myth.
I.e. story of Paul Bunyan (believed there was an extraordinary lumberjack serving as model)
Term
limerick
Definition
form of light verse, stanza of five lines rhyming aabba
Term
literal language
Definition
precise, plain meaning of a word or phrase in its simplest, original sense.
contrast: figurative language
Term
locale
Definition
place in which action of story occurs
Term
deduction
Definition
accepts a general principle as true, then uses it to explain a specific case or causes
Term
induction
Definition
derives a general principle from the evidence of specific examples
Term
lyric
Definition
Short, non-narrative, poem with a song-like outburst of feeling.
Single speaker expressing state of mind, or process of thought and feeling
Term
melodrama
Definition
Drama that has stereotyped characters, exaggerated emotions, and a conflict that pits an all-good hero/heroine against an all-evil villain.
Term
metaphysical
Definition
17th century poetry of John Donne and others who wrote in a similar style. Characterized by:
- verbal wit
- excessive, ingenious structure
- irregular meter
- colloquial language
- elaborate imagery
- bringing together dissimilar ideas
Term
meter
Definition
Generally regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry
Term
metonymy
Definition
Speaking of a thing by the name of some other thing closely connected to it
e.g. From the cradle to thet grave. The pen is mightier than the sword.
Term
microcosm
Definition
Small group of characters who represent the world or particular society
Term
mixed metaphor
Definition
Usage, in the same expression, of two/more metaphors that are incongruous or illogical.
E.g. The cold autumn sky was warm with colour.
The only thing that the government will listen to is muscle.
Term
mock epic
Definition
long, humorous poem in which a slight or trivial subject is treated in a lofty or exalted manner. Also known as a mock heroic.
Term
moral
Definition
Implied judgment of behaviour made by a story - distinct from theme
Term
motif
Definition
Theme, character, or verbal pattern that recurs in one single (or numerous) work(s) of literature or folklore.
Term
myth
Definition
A traditional story containing ideas or beliefs about ancient times or about natural events
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