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| a metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work |
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| a very brief story that is didactic |
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| a folk tale that is usually addressed to children |
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| writing or speech that is intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid |
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| a scene in a work of fiction that interrupts the action to show events that happened earlier. Flashbacks usually provide background information about the characters |
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| a story rooted in the folklore or tradition of a country or culture |
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| a writer's use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in a work of fiction |
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| this term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each henre; for example, they differentiate between an essay and jounalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing. Try to distinguish the unique features of a writer's work from those dictated by convention. |
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| the major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions fo literature are pose, poetry and drama. However, genre is a flexible term; within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are foten called genres themselves. For example, prose can be divided into lyric, dramatic, narrative, epic, etc. Drama can into tragedy, comedy, melodrama, farce, etc. |
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| This term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice. |
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| transposition of common word order. Ex. whistle the wind |
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| A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, hyperbole produces irony at the same time. |
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| expression having a meaning that cannot be concluded by the meanings of the words that make it up. Ex: "kick the bucket" means "to die." Also: "on the right track," "pulling my leg," etc. |
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| an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language |
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| the contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. the difference between what appears to be and what actually is true. In general, there are three major types of irony used in language. (1) In verbal irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speakers) true meaning. (2) In situational irony, events turn out the opposite of what was expected. What the characters and readers think ought to happen is not what does happen. (3) In dramatic irony, facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work. Irony is used for many reasons, but frequently, it's used to create poignancy or humor |
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| a story based loosely on historical fact but reshaped to seem much larger than life |
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| conscious understatements where emphasis is achieved by negation. Ex: Not bad! |
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| humorous misuse of a word that sounds like the correct word. Ex: Under the affluence of alcohol |
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| a figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitute of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought-provoking, and meaningful |
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| a term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name," metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. A news release that claims, "The White House declared" rather than "The President declared" is using metonymy |
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| This term has two distinct technical meanings in English writing. The first meaning is grammatical and deals with verbal units and a speaker's attitude. The indicative mood is used only for factual sentences. For example, "Joe eats too quickly." The subjunctive mood is used for a doubtful or conditional attitude. For example, "If I were you, I'd get another job." The imperative mood is used for commands. For example, "Shut the door!" The second meaning of mood is literary, meaning the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can affect the mood. In this usage, mood is similar to tone and atmosphere. |
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| a story about the imaginary actions of gods, goddesses, and heroes |
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| The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events |
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| A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur. |
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| From the Greek for "pointedly foolish," and oxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. Simple examples include "jumbo shrimp," "cruel kindness," or kind-hearted henchman |
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