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