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111 Cards in this Set

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Action Adventure Genre
Action adventure fiction features physical action and violence, often around a quest or military-style mission set in exotic or forbidding locales such as jungles, deserts, or mountains.
Alliteration
Alliteration is a pattern of sound that includes the repetition of consonant and vowel sounds. The repetition can be located at the beginning of successive words or inside the words. Poets often use alliteration to audibly represent the action that is taking place.

The use of similar sound for alliterative effect is eveident in these lines from Tennyson:

The moan of doves in immemorial elms,

And murmuring of innumerable bees.

Alliteration is not restricted to poetry. Frequently it occurs in popular expressions such as: bag and baggage, fire and flood, and thick and thin.
Allusion
• A reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature. Allusions are often indirect or brief references to well-known characters or events.

• Allusions are often used to summarize broad, complex ideas or emotions in one quick, powerful image.

• For example, to communicate the idea of self-sacrifice one may refer to Jesus.
Antagonist
• The antagonist is someone or something that deceives, frustrates, or works again the main character, or protagonist, in some way. The antagonist doesn’t necessarily have to be a person. It could be death, the devil, an illness, or any challenge that prevents the main character from living “happily ever after.“
Antithesis
• exact opposite; "his theory is the antithesis of mine"

• the juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas to give a feeling of balance


• Antithesis is the rhetorical contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words, clauses, or sentences (as in “action, not words” or “they promised freedom and provided slavery”)
Antonym
Words in the same language with opposite meanings.

For example, up and down are antonyms.

See also synonyms
Assonance
Resemblance or similarity in sound between vowels in two or more syllables. Related to rhyme, assonance is only an approximate resemblance of sound, where rhyme is an exact correspondence. Used in the strict sense, assonance demands that the sound similarity occur with the vowels, not the consonants and only in the accented syllables.

Love and dove are perfect ryhmes; lake and fate are examples of assonance.
Biography
An informational book about a person's life. Accurate facts are presented and should be well documented. The person is shown in the time and place in which he or she lived. An autobiography is the story of a person's life written by that person.
Caricature
• A caricature is either a portrait that exaggerates or distorts the essence of a person or thing to create an easily identifiable visual likeness, or in literature, a description of a person using exaggeration of some characteristics and oversimplification of others.
Characterization
The portrayal, in writing, of a person---his actions, manner of thought, personality, distinctive qualities and traits. The ability to create and depict fictional characters so that the reader perceives them as living beings is essential to the novelist or dramatist.
Cliche
an overused phrase or expression.

Examples:

We gave it 110%. If you can't beat them, join them.
Climax
Climax is the point when the main character makes a choice which will see him/her overcome or defeat the conflict (s)he faces.

See also plot
Coherence
• This word means "to stick together.“

• When applied to writing, coherence means that the discourse is not only unified, all the statements being about the same topic, but that the statements " stick together " by following one another in a logical way.

• Coherence can be achieved in a number of different ways. Chief among these is by the repetition of key words, the use of synonyms, and pronoun reference. Also, following the accepted patterns of organization for different modes of discourse helps readers predict what the writer will do or say next.

For coherence, words, phrases and clauses must be logically arranged within a sentence. In larger peices of writing, sentences, paragraphs and chapters must be progressively ordered
Colloquialisms
• Colloquial language refers to a type of informal diction that reflects casual, conversational language.

An expression used in conversation but not accepted as good usage in formal speech or writing. A colloquial ism lies between the upper speech level of formal or literary language, and the lower level of slang. Eventually, a slang or colloquial expression may come to be accepted as standard usage.
Comedy Genre
Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement meant to entertain, but can be contained in all genres

See also genre
Conciseness
• expressing much with little to no extraneous detail or words; not verbose; brief and precise

• gets to the point quickly
Conflict
• Conflict is the struggle within the plot between opposing forces. The protagonist engages in the conflict with the antagonist, which may take the form of a character, society, nature, or an aspect of the protagonist’s personality.

• There are many types of conflict.

•Person versus person
•Person versus themselves
•Person versus the environment
•Person versus society
•Person versus fate
Connotation
• Connotation is an association that comes along with a particular word. Connotations relate not to a word's actual meaning, or denotation, but rather to the ideas or qualities that are implied by that word

• A good example is the word "gold." The denotation of gold is a malleable, ductile, yellow element. The connotations, however, are the ideas associated with gold, such as greed, luxury, or avarice.

See also denotation
Consonance
The repetition of the final consonant sound without repeatinig the vowel sound before it.

E.g.

It simply could not be a year

Since Emily turned four
Denotation
• Denotation is the exact meaning of a word, without the feelings or suggestions that the word may imply. It is the opposite of “connotation” in that it is the “dictionary” meaning of a word, without attached feelings or associations.

• A good example is the word "gold." The denotation of gold is a malleable, ductile, yellow element. The connotations, however, are the ideas associated with gold, such as greed, luxury, or avarice.

See also Connotation
Dialect
• Dialect is a type of informational diction.

• Dialects are spoken by definable groups of people from a particular geographic region, economic group, or social class.

• Writers use dialect to contrast and express differences in educational, class, social, and regional backgrounds of their characters.
Dialogue
Conversation between two or more people, either verbal or written.

Dialogue is important in literary works because:

•it advances the action
•it is consistent with the characters of the speakers, their social positions and special interests, thus adding realism
•it gives the impression of naturalness
•it presents the interplay of ideas and personalities among the people conversing
•it varies the diction, rhythm, phrasing, sentence length, etc., according to the various speakers thus adding interest
•sometimes it is used to give relief from passages that are essentially serious or expositiory in nature
Diction
• Diction is a writer’s choice of words, phrases, sentence structures, and figurative language, which combine to help create meaning.

• Formal diction consists of a dignified, impersonal, and elevated use of language; it follows the rules of syntax exactly and is often characterized by complex words and lofty tone.

• Middle diction maintains correct language usage, but is less elevated than formal diction; it reflects the way most educated people speak.

• Informal diction represents the plain language of everyday use, and often includes idiomatic expressions, slang, contractions, and many simple, common words.
Dilemma
A dilemma is a situation offering a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives
Drama Genre
Stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance. where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.

See also genre
Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony occurs when the audience has important information that the characters in the story/play do not have.

For example:

A man in a cartoon is walking along the street reading his newspaper, the viewer can see an enormous hole and a construction site on the street ahead. The man, still reading the paper, is impervious to the hole and naturally falls into it.

See also irony
Dynamic Character
A character who changes because of his/her experience
Empathy
• Empathy is the ability to enter, through imagination, into another person's feelings or motives (identifying with the main characters)

Empathy is a sense of shared experience, including emotional and physical feelings, with someone or something other than oneself.

• Empathy is often used to describe the response of a reader to a literary character.
Escapist Fiction
• Escapist fiction refers to a type of fiction which is designed to help the reader ‘escape’ the daily cares and problems of reality. Escapist fiction has lively, melodramatic plots and stereotyped or flat characters, and requires limited involvement on the part of the reader. Most commercial science fiction, westerns and romances would fall into the category of escapist fiction.

See also Interpretive Fiction
Euphemism
• Substitution of a delicate or inoffensive term or phrase for one that has coarse, sordid, or otherwise unpleasant associations, as in the use of "lavatory" or "rest room" for "toilet," and "pass away" for "die."
Dialect
• Dialect is a type of informational diction.

• Dialects are spoken by definable groups of people from a particular geographic region, economic group, or social class.

• Writers use dialect to contrast and express differences in educational, class, social, and regional backgrounds of their characters.
Dialogue
Conversation between two or more people, either verbal or written.

Dialogue is important in literary works because:

•it advances the action
•it is consistent with the characters of the speakers, their social positions and special interests, thus adding realism
•it gives the impression of naturalness
•it presents the interplay of ideas and personalities among the people conversing
•it varies the diction, rhythm, phrasing, sentence length, etc., according to the various speakers thus adding interest
•sometimes it is used to give relief from passages that are essentially serious or expositiory in nature
Diction
• Diction is a writer’s choice of words, phrases, sentence structures, and figurative language, which combine to help create meaning.

• Formal diction consists of a dignified, impersonal, and elevated use of language; it follows the rules of syntax exactly and is often characterized by complex words and lofty tone.

• Middle diction maintains correct language usage, but is less elevated than formal diction; it reflects the way most educated people speak.

• Informal diction represents the plain language of everyday use, and often includes idiomatic expressions, slang, contractions, and many simple, common words.
Dilemma
A dilemma is a situation offering a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives
Drama Genre
Stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance. where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.

See also genre
Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony occurs when the audience has important information that the characters in the story/play do not have.

For example:

A man in a cartoon is walking along the street reading his newspaper, the viewer can see an enormous hole and a construction site on the street ahead. The man, still reading the paper, is impervious to the hole and naturally falls into it.

See also irony
Dynamic Character
A character who changes because of his/her experience
Empathy
• Empathy is the ability to enter, through imagination, into another person's feelings or motives (identifying with the main characters)

Empathy is a sense of shared experience, including emotional and physical feelings, with someone or something other than oneself.

• Empathy is often used to describe the response of a reader to a literary character.
Escapist Fiction
• Escapist fiction refers to a type of fiction which is designed to help the reader ‘escape’ the daily cares and problems of reality. Escapist fiction has lively, melodramatic plots and stereotyped or flat characters, and requires limited involvement on the part of the reader. Most commercial science fiction, westerns and romances would fall into the category of escapist fiction.

See also Interpretive Fiction
Euphemism
• Substitution of a delicate or inoffensive term or phrase for one that has coarse, sordid, or otherwise unpleasant associations, as in the use of "lavatory" or "rest room" for "toilet," and "pass away" for "die."
Exposition
•Exposition (introduction) is the beginning of the story.
•Time, place, and characters are introduced
•A narrative hook gets the readers’ attention
See also plot
Fable
A short story with a moral, or lesson for living life as a good person. Aesop, a writer in ancient Greece, is probably the best-known writer of fables. A fable is like an allegory. The character in many fables are animals that act like people.

Examples include: The Tortoise and the Hare, The Boy Who Cried Wolf

See also genre
Falling Action
The resolution of the second half of a dramatic plot. Falling action follows the climax, and explains the results of the protagonists choices.

See also plot
Figurative Language
Writing that includes one or more of the various figures of speech. Some common figures of speech are: antithesis, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, personification, simile, and synecdoche.

Figurative language is the result of the writer's deliberate departure from usual word usage to gain strength and freshness of expression

Figurative language does not mean exactly what it says, but instead forces the reader to make an imaginative leap in order to comprehend an author's point.

See also literal language
First Person Narrative
A story told by a character who calls himself "I" and writes as if (s)he is the protagonist

A narrative filtered through the conciousness of an individual character.

Readers are aware of events only as they occur to, or are reported by, him

See also Point of View
Flashback
• A flashback is a narrative technique that allows a writer to present past events during current events, in order to provide background for the current narration.

• By giving material that occurred prior to the present event, the writer provides the reader with insight into a character's motivation and or background to a conflict.

• This is done by various methods, narration, dream sequences, and memories (Holman et al, 197).
Flat Character
A character with only one or two traits revealed by the author
Folklore Genre
Folktales or folklore are stories that have been passed down from generation to generation and show the values of a group people. They were used to teach children important lessons in life and prepare them for society. Later the stories were written down.

•Has no known authors
•Told from one generation to the next
•Helps people to explain natural events and communicate cultural values
•has many categories (nursery rhymes, folktalkes, fables, fairy tales, myths, legends, tall tales, proverbs, folksongs, etc.)
See also genre
Foreshadowing
• Foreshadowing is a writers’ technique in which the author provides clues or hints as to what is going to happen later in the story.

• It’s like the music in a scary movie when we know that something bad is about to happen.
Genre
A type or category into which literary works can be grouped according to form, technique, or purpose.

We say a poem, novel, story, or other literary work belongs to a particular genre if it shares at least a few conventions, or standard characteristics, with other works in that genre.

For example, works in the Gothic genre often feature supernatural elements, attempts to horrify the reader, and dark, foreboding settings, particularly very old castles or mansions.
Historical Fiction Genre
Story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting.

•found in books, magazines, art, television, movies, theatre and other med
Homograph
A word that has the same spelling as another word, but a different meaning, origin and sound.

An example is lead (the first place) and lead (the metal).
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech that is a grossly exaggerated description or statement. In literature, such exaggeration is used for emphasis or vivid descriptions, as in rivers of blood.

Hyperbole can be an effective device for securing attention, giving emphasis or creating poetic effect.

Hyperbole is even a part of our day-to-day speech: ‘You’ve grown like a bean sprout’ or ‘I’m older than the hills.’
Idiom
• An idiom is a phrase where the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words.

It is a use of words or a grammatical construction peculiar to a certain language.

• Examples of idioms include:

•Raining cats and dogs
•Not the sharpest knife in the drawer
•Let the cat out of the bag
•Apple of his eye
Imagery
• Imagery is word pictures that communicate directly with our senses, providing a concrete visual experience.
Inciting Force
Inciting Force - the point where the reader realizes there is a conflict. It is the incident that catches the readers’ attention.

See also plot
Initial Incident
The initial incident is the first event in the story that starts off the action.

See also plot
Interpretive Fiction
• Interpretive Fiction refers to stories which have meaningful, usually realistic plots, conflicts, settings and characters. Interpretive fiction is usually serious in tone and is designed to “interpret” or make the reader more aware of, some aspect of reality or human nature. It is instructive, unlike escapist fiction, which is designed chiefly for entertainment.

See also Escapist Fiction
Irony
A form of speech in which the actual intent is expressed in words that carry the opposite meaning. Characteristically, irony uses words of praise to imply blame, and words of blame to imply praise.

Irony is the contrast between what is said and what is meant, or between reality and what seems to be real.

Irony can occur in any type of text, and can be particularily effiective in visual art and picture books where characters' words and actions are in contrast to the reality of the scene---which the reader can see in the picture. For example, episodes of Mr. Bean.

Situational irony exists when what actually happens in a situation is the opposite of what we expect to happen. For example, a cancer researcher, who makes great strides towards a cure for cancer, is herself struck by the disease.

Verbal irony exists when a person says one thing and means another. For example, "Oh yes...I just love having my teeth drilled at the dentist...it's so relaxing."

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience has important information that the characters in the story/place do not have. For example, a man in a cartood is walking along the street reading his newspaper, the viewer can see an enormous hole and a construction site on the street ahead. The man, still reading the paper is impervious to the hole and naturally falls into it.
Jargon
• Jargon or slang is a characteristic language of a particular group. Educators, computer specialists, lawyers, teenagers, among others have their own jargon.

It may also mean confused meaningless speech. ;)

• For example:

•"they don't speak our lingo"
•“n00b”
•“that’s sick
Juxtaposition
• Contrast or Juxtaposition – refers to the overlap or mixing of opposite or different situations, characters, settings, moods, or points of view in order to clarify meaning, purpose, or character, or to heighten certain moods, especially humour, horror, and suspense
Legend Genre
Legends are an exagerated story about a real person or event. An example would be the legend of Robin Hood or the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

See also genre, folklore
Limited Omniscient Point of View
The author only gives the thoughts and feelings of one or two characters in the story.

(Third Person)

See also point of view
Literal Language
• In literal language words mean exactly what they say.

See also figurative language
Metaphor
A figure of speech based on a comparison that is implied rather than directly expressed. To say, He was a lion in the fight is to use metaphor, whereas to say, He fought like a lion is since the comparison is directly expressed, to use a simile.

In connecting one object, event, or place, to another, a metaphor can uncover new and intriguing qualities of the original thing that we may not normally notice or even consider important.
Metonymy
Metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one thing is substituted for that of another with which it is closely associated.

For example the crown is used to mean the monarchy, the stage for the theatrical profession.

A name transfer takes place to demonstrate an association of a whole to a part or how two things are associated in some way. This allows a reader to recognize similarities or common features among terms. It may provide a more common meaning to a word.
Mood
The tone or atmosphere (such as pensive, fearful, serene, suspenseful, etc.) prevailing in any work of drama, literature, art or music.
Motif
• Motif is a recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature.

• A motif may also be two contrasting elements in a work, such as good and evil.
Mystery Genre
Mystery is a genre of fiction in which a detective, either an amateur or a professional, solves a crime or a series of crimes. Because detective stories rely on logic, supernatural elements rarely come into play. The detective may be a private investigator, a policeman, an elderly widow, or a young girl, but he or she generally has nothing material to gain from solving the crime. Subgenres include the cozy and the hard-boiled detective story.
Myth Genre
Myths are symbolic stories created by ancient people to explain their world especially natural events like thunder and lightning. Myths help people understand the beliefs and everyday life of people described in them. Myths once were used to answer difficult questions such as how the moon and stars were created, why seasons change, and why the leopard has spots. They also explained the relationships of human beings and god.

See also genre, folklore genre
Narrative
Another word for story
New Reality
The New Reality is the changes, either external or internal, in the protagonists life after the resolution is complete.

See also plot
Novel
A long work of prose fiction containing characters and action portrayed in the form of a plot.

Novels can be generally classified according to their purpose or their manner.

There are generally three purposes for a novel: to entertain, to present a problem or thesis, or to portray a historical period.

Novels are also classified according to their manner. On this basis, fiction is categorized as romantic, realistic, impressionistic, etc.
Objective Point of View
The facts are recorded like a camera;

No emotions or feelings of the characters are given.

Like a news report or encyclopedia.

See also point of view
Omniscient Point of View
The author tells the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in the story; uses he, she, them.

Third person point of view

A term used to describe the point of view in a work of fiction in which the author is capable of knowing, seeing and telling whatever he wishes in the story and excercises this freedom at will.

See also point of view
Onomatopoeia
•words that are written just the way they sound
•e.g. Snap, crackle, pop, woof, bark, meow, bang...
Oxymoron
Two words that are placed together that do not seem to make sense at first glance, but after close examination do make sense.

Originally, "pointedly foolish"; a phrase bringing together two contradictory terms.

Examples are: wise fool, sad joy, the sound of silence. Shakespeare's Hamlet uses oxymoron when he says, "I must be cruel only to be kind."
Parody
A composition imitating or burlesquing the words, style, thought or form of another, usually serious, piece of work. A parody is intended to ridicule or to criticize the original work or its author.

The parody is in literature what caricature and cartoon are in art.
Personification
•Parody is a figure of speech that gives a human action, characteristic, emotion or body part given to a nonhuman object
•e.g. The words jumped off the page. The hands on the clock spun around.
Plot
Plot - the sequence of incidents that make up the action of the story. A plot diagram is a pyramid of action

a. Exposition (introduction)- the beginning of the story. Time, place, and characters are introduced; gets the readers’ attention

b. Initial Incident - the first event in the story that starts off the action.

c. Inciting Force - the point where the reader realizes there is a conflict. It is the incident that catches the readers’ attention.

d. Rising Action - series of incidents that occur before the climax. It builds tension, interest.

e. Climax - the point when the main character makes a choice which will see him/her overcome or defeat the conflict (s)he faces.

f. Falling Action - the action that ties up the loose ends.

g. Resolution / Denouement - the outcome of the story.

h. New Reality - the changes, either external or internal, in the protagonists life after the resolution is complete
Poetry Genre
Poetry is a unique way of using words to express meaning. It is a verse written to make the reader think about the world and about life. Poets often use rhymes, rhythms, and sound patterns to create images and to awaken thoughts and feelings.

See also genre
Point of View
The way a story is told.

The position and outlook of the narrator in relation to the scene being described or the story told. A logical consistent point of view is a unifying device.

The term is used in a special sense when applied to fiction writing. The writer may choose to tell the story from the point of view of someone who is involved in the action. Alternatively, he may write fromt he point of view of a witness to the story, as one before whom the events are unfolding. Or he may write with an omniscient point of view, as one who knows what is going on in the minds of the characters and who sees the motives for the actions.

See also narrator, First person narrator, Limited Omniscient narrator, Omniscient narrator, Objective
Protagonist
A protagonist is considered to be the main character or lead figure in a novel, play, story, or poem. It may also be referred to as the "hero" of a work. This is the character that must solve the conflict in the literary work.
Pun
A pun is a humorous play on words, using either:

•two or more different meanings of the same word;
•or two or more words that are spelled and pronounced somewhat the same, but have different meanings.
Example:

Kings worry about a receding heir line.
Realistic Fiction
Stories that can actually happen and is true to life

Stories with characters and events that are created by the author but that could really happen. Characters face problems in their life that they must solve.

See also genre




Reinteration of a word, phrase, sound or idea to secure emphasis. Employed deliberately, it adds force and clarity, and is frequently used effectively by orators. In poetry, repetition can be used as a unifying device.
Repetition
Reinteration of a word, phrase, sound or idea to secure emphasis. Employed deliberately, it adds force and clarity, and is frequently used effectively by orators. In poetry, repetition can be used as a unifying device.
Resolution / Denouement
Resolution or denouement is the outcome of the story.

See also plot
Rhetorical Device
The deliberative use of words for effect. Some examples of rhetorical devices include alliteration and repetition.
Rising Action
Rising Action is a series of incidents that occur before the climax. It builds tension, interest.

The part of a plot in which the complication of the action occurs. It begins with the initial incident, gains in interest and power as the opposing groups come into conflict and proceeds to the climax of the plot.

See also plot
Romance Genre
Romance is currently the largest and best selling fiction genre in North America. It has produced a wide array of subgenres, the majority of which feature the mutual attraction and love of a man and a woman as the main plot, and have a happy ending. This genre, much like fantasy fiction, is broad enough in definition that it is easily and commonly seen combined with other genres, such as comedy, fantasy fiction, realistic fiction or action-adventure.

See also genre
Round character
A well developed character with many traits
Sarcasm
A sneering or cutting remark; in ironical taunt. Sarcasm is common in most forms of literature, especially rhetoric and humor.

See also irony
Satire
Verse or prose blending a critical attitude with humor and wit. The purpose of satire is to ridicule frailties in human customs and institutions and, by causing laughter, to insprie their reform.

See also irony
Science Fiction Genre
Science fiction is a genre of fiction. It differs from fantasy in that within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible with scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature (although some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation). Exploring the consequences of such differences is the traditional purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas". Science fiction is largely based on writing rationally about alternative possibilities. The settings for science fiction are often contrary to known reality.

See also genre
Setting
•the time, place, and mood/atmosphere of the story
Simile
•A comparison between two objects using the words 'like' or 'as'
•e.g. I'm happy as a bird. His handshake was like a steel trap.
•See also metaphor
Situational Irony
A situation becomes ironic when the expected situation is different from what actually occurs.

Eg.

A weatherman predicts perfect weather for the day he is going to get married. On the day of the wedding, it rains.

A fireman, who travels to school teaching children about fire safety, loses his house to a fire because he didn't check the batteries in his own smoke detector.
Slang
Slang is vernacular speech, not accepted as literary, although much used in conversation and colloquial expression.

The aptness of slang is usually based on its humor, its exaggeration, its onomatopoeic effect or on a combination of these qualities.

See also colloquiailism
Static character
A character who stays the same throughout the story
Style
Style is a writer's characteristic way of writing; his or her choice of words, sentence structure, and use of imagery and figurative language.
Subplot
In fiction and drama, a subordinate or minor story. Usually the secondary plot is directly related to the main plot and contributes interest and complication to the total work.

In "October Sky" the subplot of teenage romance adds spice to the main plot.
Suspense
Suspense is the readers feelings of uncertainty, excitement, expectation, or tension about the outcome of events. This feeling can be created through mystery or dillema.
Symbolism
Symbolism is any object, person, place or action which keeps its meaniing while at the same time standing for something larger than itself.

Examples: heart=love, dove=peace

In a general sense, the use of imagery to that one object represents something else. The cross, for example, is the symbol of Christianity; the lion is the symbol for courage.

In literature, symbolism is the use of objects or actions to suggest ideas or emotions.

Sybolism is also basic to the allegory.
Synecdoche
A form of metaphor in which the part mentioned signifies the whole. A good synecdoche is based on an important part of the whole, the part most directly associated with the subject under discussion.

For example, The factory employed 500 hands. In this case, hands is a synecdoche for persons or workers.
Synonym
Words in the same language with the same or similar means.

For example, sharp and keen are synonyms.

See also antonyms
Tall Tales Genre
Humorous stories that are full of exageration. Originally tall tales were used to show the values of the people living out in the wilderness when America was expanding into the unsettled West. Examples include: Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill

See also genre, folktales genre
Theme
The central or dominating idea, thesis or meaning of a work. Usually the theme of any given work can be stated quite simply.

It is not stated, but implied. It makes a comment about life.
Thesis
An attitude or position on a problem taken by a writer or speaker witht he porupose of proving or supporting it.
Tone
A term sometimes used in criticism to denote the mood of a piece of writing. This mood is established by the quality of the speech sounds used. Short staccato sentences, for example, are used to show excitement and action; long, ponderous sentences for slow movement and dejection. Certain colors are assosicated with certain emotions (i.e., red with passion and anger, yellow with jealousy and green with envy and hope). The total effect of word sounds and associations sets the tone of the writing.
Understatement
Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole; used to downplay something.

Example:

The cattle russtler mildly protested when the mob wanted to hang him.
Verbal Irony
Irony is the result of a statement which says one thing while meaning something else. The implied attitude is directly opposed to those being literally expressed. Often used as a form of criticism.

For example:

1. "Oh yes...I just love having my teeth drilled at the dentist...it's so relaxing."

2. "A planet doesn't explode of itself," said

The Martian astronomer, gazing off into the air---

That they were able to do it is proof that highly

Intelligent beings must have been living there."