Eng Terms`

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Allegory

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Form of literature in which objects/events/ or people are presented symbolically (i.e fitting social types)

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Allusion

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reference to something (historical, media, politics, etc)

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Anecdote

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Short story that introduces or is related to topic.

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Analogy

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Comparing two objects that are essentially different but have 1+ common qualities

used to explain unfamiliar ideas or concepts in terms of something similar

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anti-hero

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protagonist who lacks hero like qualities, we may feel sympathetic to them

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Archetype

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Images, character types, or plots that occur frequently in myths or other known literature. It is familiar to the reader and holds similar meaning

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Atmosphere (mood)

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feelings evoked in reader through authors word choice, descriptions, imagery, etc

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catharsis

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emotional draining of the audience when watching a tragedy

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comic relief

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comic element in a tragedy to relieve tension

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complication

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event that sets the plot in motion

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Conflict

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struggle between opposing characters, forces, or emotions. Usually between the protagonist and someone/thing else

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connotation

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emotional overtones of words in readers mind (i.e home vs house)

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Denotation

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Literal dictionary definition of word

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Diction

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selection/arrangement of words in writing

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Dynamic character

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Often the protagonist. Goes through significant change

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flat/static character

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a character lacking complexity, built on a unchanging characteristic

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foil

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a character that contrasts with (and thus sheds light on) the protagonist

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foreshadowing

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clues that hint at what is going to happen later in the plot. arouses audiences' curiosity, builds suspense, helps audience prepare to accept events later in ploy

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Hamartia

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Disastrous error in the judgement brought by the tragic flaw in the character that leads to his downfall

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Hyperbole

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uses deliberate exaggeration for emphasis. sometimes used for humorous effect, often ironic. "It was so cold, the polar bears were wearing jackets"

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Imagery

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use of language to represent descriptively things, actions or abstract ideas. A picture created using descriptive language.

includes similes, metaphors, personification, and symbols)

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Irony

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a contrast between what is done and whats expected.

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Metaphor

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comparing between two seemingly unalike things without using "like" or "as"

this creates identity

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Motif

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recurring element within single literary work

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Oxymoron

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Combines contradictory words for effect (The wisdom of fools, ohappy death)

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paradox

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apparent contradiction or absurdity that, upon deeper inspection, have some truth

you must be cruel to be kind

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parody

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humorous imitation of media that mocks original by exaggerating or distorting some of its salient features

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Pathetic fallacy

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nature/inanimate things are described in a way that is sympathetic or prophetic to events/character

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Pathos

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Scenes/passage in literary work which evoke pity/sorrow

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Personification

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a metaphor in which human attributes are given to innadimate objects

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Symbol

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Concrete object representing abstract thought

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Preface

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a brief introduction to a literary work

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Prose

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ordinary language or literary expression not marked by rhythm, or rhyme

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Resolution

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outcome of climax, answer to main conflict

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Satire

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literary work that deliberately attacks/ridicules human vices and follies. encourages'teaches a lesson or change

uses irony and exaggeration

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setting

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Place/time of a story

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Similie

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figure of speech comparing seemingly non similar things using like or as to connect

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Stock character

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type of flat character who is easily recognized and who serves a familiar function

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Style

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The way a person writes. Effect of their choice of voice, vocab, sentence structure, tone, LD etc

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Suspense

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condition of being uncertain about an outcome, used to create tension, excitement, anxiety

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Theme

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central/dominating idea, meaning of literary work/universal truth

implied not stated

expressed in a sentence

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Tone

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attitude writer expresses toward his or her subject or audience. Formal or informal, personal or impersonal, angry or cheerful, bitter or hopeful, etc

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Verisimilitude

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Appearance of reality or semblance of truth and reality.

the term is used in criticism to indicate the degree to which a writer faithfully presents the truth