Literary Terminology

the descriptive language used to re-create sensory experiences

a word or phrase that appeals to one or more of the senses

an association that a word calls to mind in addition to its dictionary/literal meaning

literary techniques that involve surprising,interesting, or amusing contradictions

the beginning of a text establishing premise, setting, characters and tone of novel.

a struggle between opposing forces; can be internal or external

a work that pulls apart the conventions of a genre and shows them in a new light

a pair of rhyming verse lines equal in length

prose writing about imaginary characters and events

an appeal to a Muse or other divine being for help in writing a poem

highly imaginative writing that contains elements not found in real life

a long, florid poem usually denoting the death of a friend or notable person

a passing reference to something or someone outside the immediate scope of the work

the high point of emotional intensity in a work of literature

a simile or metaphor, often fantastic and extended, used to explain an idea or opinion

poetry not written in a regular rhythmical pattern, or meter

poetic line consisting of 5 feet; each foot consists of 1 unstressed and 1 stressed syllable

the act of creating and developing a character.

a long, narrative poem about the adventures of gods or of a hero

the repetition of vowel sounds in stressed syllables containing dissimilar consonant sounds

word choice

the use of clues that suggest events that have yet to occur

the character whose actions are inspiring or noble; often struggle to overcome foes

a term used to describe a literary work that is creative, innovative, and experimental

the spoken words used by interacting characters

the main opponent of the protagonist in a literary work

the repetition of consonant sounds in stressed syllables containing dissimilar vowel sounds:

poetry written in unrhymed iambic pentameter lines

a natural pause, or break, in the middle of a line of poetry

a person or animal who takes part in the action of a literary work

poetry that sounds like ordinary speech and is often used in drama and poetry.

a lengthy comparison

verse that expresses the observations and feelings of a single speaker

the repetition of initial consonant sounds

main character, possibly hero/heroine, not always.

the treatment of horrific or sinister subjects in a humorous way

a section that interrupts the sequence of events to relate an event from an earlier time

a story with a hidden meaning beneath its surface

a folk song and/or poem that tells a story of an incident, usually tragic

writing or speech not meant to be interpreted literally

any rhymed pair of lines in iambic pentameter

usually a character that embodies a universal concept or idea