Literary Terms Quiz

A term used to describe an author's use of vivid descriptions.

Comprised of an author's diction, syntax, tone, characters, and other narrative techniques.

The "falling action" of a narrative, when conflicts are resolved and resolution is found.

A protagonist who embodies none of the qualities typically assigned to traditional "heroes."

Typically refers to saying one thing and meaning opposite, often to shock & emphasize truth.

A literary mode attempts to convert the abstract into characters or other tangible elements

Usually at beginning of text, a detailed discussion introducing characters, setting, background

All of James Joyce's books (mostly) focus on what city in Ireland?

A figure of speech that compares two people, objects, ets using "like" or "as."

Typically, a type of novel that depicts an individual's coming-of age.

"A resonant figure of mythic importance, whether a personality place or situation..."

The primary character in a text, often positioned as "good," with whom readers identify.

When a text references, incorporates, or responds to an earlier text.

The idea that literature has a pure and objective meaning we must be trained to understand.

What type of narrative is "The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man?"

A figure of speech that refers to one thing by another in order to identify similarities.

A character (or characters) in a text with whom the protagonist opposes.

An "artist's novel" in English, is a narrative about an artist's growth to maturity.

A Künstlerroman in a modernist style.

The height of conflict and intrigue in a narrative.

A mode of writing in which author traces his or her thoughts verbatim into the text.

A text that mocks or mimics another genre or work.

A way of communicating (in writing, images, or sound) that conveys an attitude.

A kind of literature. For instance, comedy, mystery, tragedy, satire, elegy, romance and epic.

An experience of sudden and striking realization.

A style of writing that mocks, ridicules, or pokes fun in order to challenge.

Word choice, or the specific language an author uses.