Literary Terms 1-50

Poetic or rhetorical device placing normally unassociated words, ideas, or phrases near.

an expression said so often that it has lost its ability to evoke emotion

Word choice

something concrete that stands for something abstract

the use of words that by their sound suggest their meaning

any writing in verse or prose that has a doublemeaning

A method of narration in which present action is temporarily interrupted 

reiterating a word or phrase, or rewording the same idea, to secure emphasis

A form of paradox that combines a pair of opposite terms into a single unusual expression

What is a brief story illustrating human tendencies through using animals?

the choice of words in a work of literature 

the time and place in which events in a short story novel, play, or narrative poem take place

It tells a story and has a double meaning

using facts, statistics, historical references, etc, to convince the audience of one’s position

A figure of speech involving an implied comparison.

a simplified character who doesn't change his/her personality over the course of a narrative

facts, statistics, historical references, or other such proofs in order; also known as logos

the central character of a drama, novel, short story, or narrative poem

attributing human characteristics to nonhuman things

the use of language to convey sensory experience

A figure of speech in which conscious exaggeration is used 

A question asked solely to produce and effect and not to elicit a reply

A central idea or statement that unifies and controls an entire literary work

the substitution of an inoffensive expression for a word/phrase that's socially unacceptable 

What is the substitution of an inoffensive or agreeable expression for something offensive?

Exploiting an audience’s feelings of pity or fear to make a case; also known as pathos

a brief story illustrating human tendenciesthrough animal characters

Words or phrases characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary conversation

A phrase that while seeming contradictory may actually be true.

repetition of initial identical consonant sounds or vowels in closely associated syllables

exploiting an audience’s feelings of pity orfear to make a case; also known as pathos

Sentence structure

A play on words

a brief reference to a real or fictional person, place, event, or work of art

The structure and relationship of actions and events in a work of fiction

the techniques used to create and reveal fictional personalities in a work of literature

character who is opposed to, struggles with, or competes with another character in a literature

the vantage point from which the author presents the actions of the story

a figure of speech involving a comparison using like or as

if the twosubjects share a number of specific observable qualities then they may share others

the opposition between two characters

The repetition of sounds in two or more words or phrases that appear close to each other

Words or phrases characteristic of orappropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation

establishing credibility by appearing as knowledgeable and concerned with other's well being