English Lit Terms - Figurative Devices

Front 1

denotation

Back 1

The literal meaning of a word; dictionary meaning of a word; factual

Hint 1

ex. Sept 11= 11th day of the 9th month in the year

Front 2

connotation

Back 2

The feelings and associations suggest by the word; emotional; other attachments

Hint 2

ex. Sept 11= fear and terrorism

Front 3

symbol

Back 3

an object/something that stands for something else - depends on the connotations attached to them. They suggest or evoke meanings rather than state

Hint 3

A term with many meanings ex. A star, an ocean

Front 4

metaphor

Back 4

an abstract comparison that does not use like or as

Hint 4

ex. you are the light of the world

Front 5

simile

Back 5

a comparison between two things that uses like or as

Hint 5

ex. like a frog, he jumped quickly

Front 6

personification

Back 6

gives human qualities to a non-living or non-human thing

Hint 6

ex. The angry river swallowed the boy

Front 7

apostrophe

Back 7

directly addressing an abstract quality or nonexistent person as if it was present

Hint 7

a form of personification ex. Oh canada; death where is thy sting?

Front 8

allusion

Back 8

a reference to a famous literary, mythological, biblical or historical figure or event

Hint 8

ex. cupid's arrow struck the couple

Front 9

paradox

Back 9

a statement that seems absurd but contains truth/a bigger concept; more serious and broader than oxymoron

Hint 9

ex. for when I am weak, I am strong

Front 10

parody

Back 10

a humorous imitation of another piece of literature, media, art etc; mocking

Hint 10

imitates the tone, form and imagery of the original but applies them to ridiculous object

Front 11

satire

Back 11

humorous criticism of people/person, aspect of human behaviour, political event , human creation or institution

Hint 11

pokes fun of: political event etc.

Front 12

oxymoron

Back 12

juxtaposition of opposites for effect

Hint 12

ex. The silence was deafening

Front 13

hyperbole

Back 13

an exaggeration; an overstatement that super exaggerated

Hint 13

ex. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!

Front 14

understandment

Back 14

saying less than what you mean

Hint 14

ex. you hit a home run and say, "not bad"

Front 15

metonymy

Back 15

a figure of speech that relates one thing with the name of something close related to it

Hint 15

ex. The white house - the American government

Front 16

synecdoche

Back 16

similar to metonymy - figure of speech that replaces the name of something with a part of the whole. A part signifies the whole or the whole signifies a part.

Hint 16

ex. many hands make light work - many people make work easier

Front 17

anticlimax

Back 17

a rhetorical device - a disappointing situation or a sudden transition. Expectations are raised but something boring or disappointing happens

Front 18

pathos

Back 18

emotional - persuading by appealing to the readers emotions.

Hint 18

emotional appeal can enhance an argument

Front 19

ethos

Back 19

credibility or ethical appeal - convincing by the character of the author

Hint 19

Being an author who has authority on the subject of the paper, as well as being likeable and respected

Front 20

logos

Back 20

logical - persuading by the use of reasoning

Front 21

allegory

Back 21

a figure of speech in which abstract ideas and principles are described in terms of characters, figures and events. uses characters and events in a complete narrative that's purpose is to teach an idea/preach some kind of moral lesson

Hint 21

ex. jesus and his stories