the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words
alliteration
an author's use of hints or clues to suggest events that will occur later in the story
foreshadowing
A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes
personification
the overall emotion created by a work of literature
mood
the author explains through direct statements what the character is like (kind, evil, etc.).
direct characterization
A regional variety of a language distinguished by vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation
dialect
a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.
paradox
a figure of speech wherein the author groups two apparently contradictory terms. "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness."
oxymoron
an appeal based on the character/reputation/ credibility of the speaker.
ethos
a character's incentive or reason for behaving in a certain manner; that which impels a character to act
motivation
words or phrases appealing to one or more of the five senses in order to create a mental picture
imagery
the lines spoken by characters in drama or fiction
dialogue
a figure of speech characterized by strongly contrasting words, clauses, sentences, or ideas; the direct opposite
antithesis
words that have similar meanings
synonyms
The way a story's events are assembled, or the form a poem or play takes
structure
Writing or speech that is used to create vivid impressions by setting up comparisons between dissimilar things
figurative language
the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structures
parallel structure
A kind of rhythmic, compressed language that uses figures of speech and imagery designed to appeal to our emotions and imagination.
poetry
The attitude of the author toward the audience and characters (e.g., serious or humorous).
tone
a mental position from which things are viewed; the perspective or angle from which a story is told
point of view
a scene or event from the past that appears in a narrative out of chronological order, to fill in information or explain something in the present
flashback
A recurring symbol, character, landscape, or event found in myth and literature across different cultures and eras (hero, journey to the underworld, creation, etc.)
main idea / central idea
an overstatement; the act of making something seem greater than it is
exaggeration
a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with 'like' or 'as')
simile
a regularly repeated line or group of lines in a poem or song
refrain
repeated use of sounds, words, or ideas for effect and emphasis
repetition
a narrator whose account of events appears to be faulty, misleadingly biased, or otherwise distorted
unreliable narrator
the grammatical arrangement of words in sentences; word order
syntax
a word or phrase which means something different from its literal meaning (ex. "actions speak louder than words" or "costs an arm and a leg")
idiom
a circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character
dramatic irony
is the author's reason for writing or speaking: to inform, to entertain, to persuade, to praise, to celebrate, to warn.
purpose
the use of words that imitate sounds
onomatopoeia
a central message or insight into life revealed through a literary work
theme
the pattern of rhyme in a poem
rhyme scheme
A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant
verbal irony
The time and place of a story
setting
a group of lines in a poem or song that constitute a division (in prose: paragraph)
stanza
a joke that results from multiple word meanings
pun
the writer reveals information about a character and his personality through that character's thoughts, words, and actions
indirect characterization
a figure of speech comparing to unlike things without using like or as
metaphor
a (usually long) dramatic speech given by a character alone on stage
soliloquy
a figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor
hyperbole
A question asked solely to pose an idea for consideration (not to be answered)
rhetorical question
the dictionary definition of a word
denotation
words that have opposite meanings
antonym
opposition between or among characters or forces in a literary work that spurs or motivates the action of a plot (internal, external; person vs. person, self, nature, society)
conflict
a conclusion one can draw from the presented details
inference
character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character with the objective to highlight the traits
foil
the feelings or emotions surrounding/associated with a word, beyond its literal meaning. Generally positive or negative in nature.
connotation
an appeal based on logic or reason
logos
two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme
couplets
writing that tells a story
narrative
A story or brief episode told by the writer or a character to illustrate a point.
anecdote
the opposite of hyperbole. It Is a kind of irony that deliberately represents something as being much less that it really is. Ex. "I think I can
understatement
A recurring symbol, character, landscape, or event found in myth and literature across different cultures and eras (hero, journey to the underworld, creation, etc.)
archetype
methods a writer uses to develop characters
characterization
events turn out the opposite of what was expected
situational irony
an author's choice of words, which combine to help create meaning and tone.
diction
Comparison of two similar but different things, used to clarify an action or a relationship. Ex: Shells were to ancient cultures as dollar bills are to modern American culture.
analogy
appeal to emotion
pathos
A reference to something literary, mythological, or historical to enhance the meaning of an idea
allusion
From the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively
rhetoric
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