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Litterary Terms
Litterary Terms quiz
49
English
10th Grade
02/04/2010

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Term
Allegory
Definition
A narrative that serves as an extended metaphor, written in the form of fables, parables, poems, stories, and almost any other style or genre
Term
Foreshadowing
Definition
A method used to build suspense by providing hints of what is to come
Term
Antithesis
Definition
The rhetorical contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words, clauses, or sentences (as in "action, not words" or "they promised freedom and provided slavery")
Term
Narrative Twist
Definition
It is a common practice in narration used to keep the interest of an audience, usually surprising them with a revelation
Term
Oxymoron
Definition
A figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms
Term
Bias
Definition
A prejudice in a general or specific sense, usually in the sense for having a preference to one particular point of view or ideaology
Term
Iambic Pentameter
Definition
A metrical pattern of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable = five feet to a line
Term
Imagery
Definition
A word or group of words in a literary work which appeal to one or more of the senses (Umbrella Term)
Term
Parallelism
Definition
Using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance
Term
Parody
Definition
A literary work that imitates the style of another literary work
Term
Setting
Definition
The time and place in which a story unfolds
Term
Simile
Definition
A comparison using the words like or as
Term
Theme
Definition
An ingredient of a literary work that gives the work unity and provides an answer to the question What is the work about?
Term
Stereotype
Definition
An author's method of treating a character so that the character is immediately identified with a group
Term
Flashback
Definition
A reference to an event which took place prior to the beginning of a story or play
Term
Foil
Definition
A character in a play who sets off the main character or other characters by comparison
Term
Narrative hook
Definition
A literary techinque in the opening of a story that "grabs" the reader's attention so that he will read on
Term
Tone
Definition
Expresses the author's attitude toward his or her subject
Term
Pun
Definition
A play on words wherein a word is used to convey two meanings at the same time
Term
Protagonist
Definition
The hero or central character of a literary work
Term
Dramatic Irony
Definition
In literature, a plot device in which the audience's or reader's knowledge of events or individuals surpasses that of the characters
Term
Characterization
Definition
The method a writer uses to reveal the personality of a character in a literary work
Term
Alliteration
Definition
Used for poetic effect, a repetition of the initial sounds of several words in a group
Term
Climax
Definition
The decisive moment in a story, the turning point to which the rising action leads
Term
Allusion
Definition
A brief reference to a person, event, or place, real or ficticious, or to a work of art. A casual reference to a famous historical or literary figure or event
Term
Colloquial language
Definition
Informal words and/or expressions usually only used between friends
Term
Dialogue
Definition
Conversation between characters
Term
Blank verse
Definition
A poem written in unrhymed iambic pentameter
Term
Resolution
Definition
The part of a story or drama which occurs after the climax and which establishes a new norm, a new state of affairs-the way things are going to be from then on
Term
Conflict
Definition
This occurs when the protagonist is opposed by some person or force
Term
Hyperbole
Definition
A figure of speech in which an overstatement or exaggeration occurs
Term
Comparison
Definition
Assessing the similarities between two or more ideas, objects or people
Term
Assonance
Definition
The repetition of vowel wounds in a literary work
Term
Contrast
Definition
Assessing the differences between two or more ideas, objects or people
Term
Irony
Definition
An action is the reverse of what the actor expected or contrast between the literal meaning of what is said and what is meant
Term
Atmosphere
Definition
The mood that is established in a literary work that is often created through the setting and through foreshadowing
Term
Antagonist
Definition
A person or force which opposes the protagonist in a literary work
Term
Consonance
Definition
The repetition of consonant sounds with differing vowel sounds in words near each other in a line or lines of poetry
Term
Paradox
Definition
A situation or a statement that seems to contradict itself, but on closer inspection; does not
Term
Mood
Definition
The atmosphere or feeling created by a literary work, partly by a description of the objects or by the style of the descriptions
Term
Plot
Definition
The structure of a story. The sequence in which the author arranges events in a story
Term
Metaphor
Definition
A figure of speech wherein a comparison is made between two unlike quantities without the use of the words "like" or "as"
Term
Repetition
Definition
The return of a word, phrase, stanza form, or effect in any form of literature
Term
Symbolism
Definition
A device in literature where an object represents an idea
Term
Personlification
Definition
A figure of speech in which something nonhuman is given human characteristics
Term
Rhyme
Definition
The repetition of sounds in two or more words or phrases that usually appear close to each other in a poem
Term
Satire
Definition
A piece of literature designed to ridicule the subject of the work. Its aim is not to amuse, but to arouse contempt
Term
Suspense
Definition
That quality of a literary work that makes the reader or audience uncertain or tense about the outcome of events
Term
Rhythm
Definition
The arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables into a pattern; most apparent in poetry, though it is part of all good writing
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