English Lit Terms

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Abstract/Concrete

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Details that the author chooses cab be given as ideas (abstract,) or examples (concrete).

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Ad Hominem Argument

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Argument that appeals to emotion rather than reason, feeling rather than intellect.

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Allegory

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The device of using a character or story elements to symbolically represent an abstraction in addition to a literal meaning.

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Alliteration (Consonance Assonance)

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The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words.

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Ambiguity

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

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Anecdote

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A short, narrative account of amusing, unusual, revealing or interesting event.

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Aphorism

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A terse statement of known authorship that expresses a general truth and moral principle.

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Cliches

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A word that has become lifeless because of overuse -- avoid them!

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Colloquialism (Colloquial Speech)

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Words or phrases that have a conversational feel and are not generally used in formal written English.

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Connotation (Connotes Connotative)

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The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.

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Detonation (Denotes Denotative)

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The structure, literal dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.

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Diction

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Refers to the author's word choices, especially with regard to connotative meaning, correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

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Emphasis: Position

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Placing importance on a particular idea by positioning a certain idea on a certain place structurally

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Emphasis: Proportion

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Placing importance on a particular idea by proportioning a greater amount of words

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Emphasis: Isolation

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Placing importance on a particular idea by isolating a key word or phrase

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Emphasis: Repetition

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Placing importance on a particular idea by repeating the wording.

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Euphemism

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Greek for "good speech," euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for verbally unpleasant words or concepts.

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Figurative Language/Figure of Speech

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Writing or speech that it not meant to carry a literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

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Hyperbole

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A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.

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Idiom

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Allegorical saying that native speakers of the language understand.

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Imagery

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Sensory details used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.

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Irony

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The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant; the difference between what is true and what appears to be true.

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Jargon

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Specialized terminology used by a particular group of people.

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Juxtaposition

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Placing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas close together or side-by-side, especially for comparison or contrast.

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Literal/Figurative

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Literal -- word for word verbatim ideas

Figurative -- associated, implied meaning of ideas

OPPOSITES!

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Metaphor

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A figure of speech using an implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.

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Narrative

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The telling of a story or an account of ah event or a series of events.

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Onomatopoeia

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A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of the words.

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Oxymoron

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An oxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

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Paradox

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A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense, but actually does contain some degree of truth or validity.

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Personification

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

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Parallelism

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Teh use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning...

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Parody

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A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect or ridicule.

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Point of View

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The perspective from which the story is told.

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Repetition

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The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence or grammatical pattern.

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Rhetorical Features

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Rhetoric -- from the Greek word "orator," describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

The variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing.

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Satire

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A work that targets human vices or follies, or social institutions and conventions, for reform or ridicule.

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Structure

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The design or arrangement of the parts of a work of literature to form a unified whole.

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Style

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The writer's specific way of saying things.

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Symbol

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Generally, something that represents or stands for something else.

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Natural symbols

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Objects from nature that represent ideas commonly associated with them

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Conventional symbols

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Invested meaning by a group

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Literary symbols

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Found in a variety of works and generally recognized.

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Syntax

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The deign or arrangement of the punctuation of a piece to form a unified whole.

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Theme

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A writer's thoughts on a topic.

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Usage (formal, non-formal, non-standard)

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A consistent level of usage provides unity and coherence in a work.

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Vernacular

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The speech patterns of a particular group of people or region.

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Voice

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The unique flavor of a piece based upon the author.

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Simile

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An explicit comparison, normally using like or as.

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Stream of Consciousness

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A method of narrative fiction that attempts to represent the inner workings of a character's mind at all levels of awareness, to re-create the continuous chaotic flow of half-formed and discontinuous thoughts, memories, dense impressions, random associations, feelings, and reflections that constitute a character's consciousness.