Literary Terms

Humorous episodes in a dramatic work that offset a more serious section

Insight or revelation gained when one suddenly understands the essence of something

An image, story pattern, character type, representation, recurring idea, etc.

Extended speech of one character that is heard by other characters who are also on stage

Character who contrasts with another to accentuate distinctive qualities

Placement of two images or symbols close together for the purpose of comparison or contrast

a highly elaborate, complex, or extended metaphor in which an unlikely, far-fetched, or strained comparison is made

Type of criticism emphasizing the idea that most literature and language is male-dominated &should be resisted

a story that uses symbols to convey a hidden or ulterior meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Repetition of initial consonant sounds within a line of poetry

A line of poetry carries its idea or thought over to the next line without a grammatical pause.

Statement or situation which seems contradictory, but proves valid upon closer inspection

Use of things which are themselves and yet represent something else of deeper meaning

A literary device in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality.

A device that moves an audience from the present moment in a chronological narrative to a scene in the past.

An emotional cleansing effect a tragic drama has on an audience

Combination of words which imitate sounds

Incongruity between actual circumstances and those that were anticipated

Recurring feature in a work of literature which contributes to the theme of the piece

One thing is said, but another thing is meant

the combining of words that sound pleasant together or are easy to pronounce.

Repeating of sounds, words, etc.

The WHEN and the WHERE of a story

The main character in a story; the character trying to achieve something.

Novel that focuses on the growth of the main character

Characterized by a mixture of realistic and fantastical elements

Figure of speech in which conscious exaggeration is used

A way of expressing oneself that refers to words, phrases, and sentences that go beyond their literal meaning.

Writing that holds up to ridicule or contempt the weaknesses and wrongdoings of humanity

literary device that places opposite words, ideas, or qualities parallel to each other

The final part of a narrative in which the plot is drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.

A harsh combination of sounds

Extended speech by a character who is alone on stage

When a character directly addresses reader instead of leaving up imaginary barrier between the actors & audience

Speaker of a story

the repetition of vowel sounds in words that are close to each other in a sentence or phrase

A line of poetry in which a sentence or phrase comes to a conclusion at the end of the line.

An imitation of the style and manner of a particular writer or school of writers, usually to a humorous effect.

A figure of speech in which one sense is described using terms from another.

Device in which the author prepares a reader for an event which will come later

The art of using language well, particularly in terms of written and spoken discourse in persuasion.

The overall mood of a story or poem.

The repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence

Representation in poetry or fiction of sensory experience

The appearance of being true, or a likeness to truth.

The general feeling a piece of writing creates within the reader.

Expression intended to be humorous, is capable of two interpretations, one of them often indelicate/sexual

Words chosen by an author

Repetition of consonant sounds that are preceded by different vowel sounds

A reference to something in previous literature or history

Words/acts of character in fiction which carry a meaning unperceived by himself but understood by the audience or reader

A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.

solving a difficulty not solvable by ordinary means; regarded as poor writing/plot making

Figure of speech that makes a comparison between two dissimilar things