Literary Terms

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Literary Terms

• Mrs. Dayus
• CHS

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Allusion

• A direct or indirect reference to something which
  is presumably commonly known, such as an event,
  book, myth, place, or work of art. Allusions can
  be historical, literary, religious, or mythical.

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Invective

• An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or
  attack using strong, abusive language.

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Metaphor

• A figure of speech using implied comparison of
  seemingly unlike things or the substitution of
  one for the other, suggesting some similarity.
  Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid,
  imaginative thought provoking, and meaningful.

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Sarcasm

• Involves bitter, caustic language that is meant
  to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may
  use irony as a device. When well done, sarcasm
  can be witty and insightful when poorly done,
  its simply cruel.

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Satire

• A work that targets human vices and follies or
  social institutions and conventions for reform
  and ridicule. It can be recognized by the many
  devices used effectively by the satirist, such as
  irony, wit, parody, caricature, hyperbole,
  understatement, and sarcasm.

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Wit

• Intellectually amusing language that surprises
  and delights.

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Ambiguity

• The multiple meanings, either intentional or
  unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or
  passage.

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Atmosphere

• The emotional mood created by the entirety of a
  literary work, established partly by the setting
  and partly by the authors choice of objects that
  are described. Frequently foreshadows events.

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Hyperbole

• A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration
  or overstatement. Hyperboles often have a comic
  effect however, a serious effect is also
  possible.

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Mood

• The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a
  work. Setting, tone, and events can affect the
  mood. Similar to atmosphere.

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Parody

• A work that closely imitated the style or content
  of another with the specific aim of comic effect
  and /or ridicule.

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Tone

• Tone describes the authors attitude toward his
  or her material, the audience, or both.

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Understatement

• The minimalizing of fact, it presents something
  as less significant than it is. The opposite of
  hyperbole.

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Allegory

• The device of using character and/or story
  elements symbolically to represent an abstraction
  in addition to the literal meaning. The
  allegorical meaning usually deals with the moral
  truth or a generalization about human existence.

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Alliteration

• The repetition of sounds, especially initial
  consonant sounds in two or more neighboring
  words. The repetition can reinforce meaning,
  unify ideas, and/or supply a musical sound.

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Colloquial/Colloquialism

• The use of slang or informalities in speech and
  writing. Give a work a conversational , familiar
  tone. Colloquial expressions in writing include
  local or regional dialects.

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Figurative Language

• Writing that is not intended to carry literal
  meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative
  and vivid.
• (Figures of Speech)

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Imagery

• The sensory details or figurative language used
  to describe, arouse emotions, or represent
  abstractions. In an analysis, you would pay
  attention to how an author creates imagery and to
  the effect of that imagery.

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Irony

• The contrast between what is ated explicitly and
  what is really meant.
• VERBAL words are opposite of true meaning.
• SITUATIONAL events turn out the opposite if
  what is expected.
• DRAMATIC facts or events are unknown to
  character- but known to the reader or audience.

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Onomatopoeia

• A figure of speech in which natural sounds are
  imitated in the sounds of words. If you identify
  note the effect.

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Analogy

• A similarity or comparison between two different
  things or the relationship between them. Make
  writing more vivid, imaginative, or
  intellectually engaging.

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Connotation

• The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word
  the implied, suggested meaning. May involve
  ideas, emotions, or attitudes.

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Diction

• Authors word choices, especially with regard to
  their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.
  Be able to explain diction (formal, informal,
  ornate, plain) and understand the ways in which
  diction can complement the authors purpose.

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Didactic

• From the Greek, means teaching. Didactic works
  have the primary aim of teaching or instructing.

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Pedantic

• An adjective that describes words, phrases, or
  general tone that is overly scholarly, academic,
  or bookish.

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Euphemism

• From the Greek for good speech, euphemisms, are
  a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for
  a generally unpleasant word or concept.
• earthly remains instead of corpse

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Oxymoron

• A figure of speech wherein the author groups
  apparently contradictory terms to suggest a
  paradox.

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Paradox

• A statement that appears to be self-contradictory
  or opposed to common sense but upon closer
  inspection contains some degree of truth or
  validity.

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Tone/Mood

• Use the word tone to describe authors feeling,
  use the word mood to describe the emotional
  atmosphere created by a work.

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Anecdote

• A short summary of an interesting or humorous,
  often biographical, incident or event.

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Infer

• To draw a reasonable conclusion from the
  information presented.

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Metonomy

• A figure of speech in which the name of one
  object is substituted for that of another closely
  associated with it.
• Ex the White House declared instead of the
  President declared.

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Parallelism

• The grammatical or rhetorical framing of words,
  phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give
  structural similarity.
• Act as an organizing force to draw the readers
  attention, add emphasis and organization, or
  simply proved a musical rhythm.

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Personification

• A figure of speech in which the author presents
  or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate
  objects by endowing them with human attributes or
  emotions.

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Repetition

• The duplication of any element of language, such
  as sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or
  grammatical pattern. It links and emphasizes
  ideas while allowing the reader the comfort of
  recognizing something familiar.

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Rhetoric

• The principles of writing effectively,
  eloquently, and persuasively.

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Transition

• A word or phrase that links different ideas.
  Transitions effectively signal a shift from one
  idea to another.