Praxis Literary Terms

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Descriptive

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adj. serving to describe, representational, illustrative

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Colloquial

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A colloquialism is an expression not used in formal speech, writing or paralinguism. Colloquialisms can include words (such as "y'all", "gonna", "deadly" or "grouty"), phrases (such as "ain't nothin'" and ""), or sometimes even an entire aphorism ("").

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carpe diem

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Carpe diem is a phrase from a Latin poem by Horace (Odes 1.11). It is popularly translated as seize the day, although a more literal translation of "carpe" would be "pluck" (pluck the day), as in the plucking of fruit.

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interior monologue

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A monologue, or monolog, is a speech made by one person speaking his or her thoughts aloud or directly addressing a reader, audience, or character.

It is common in drama, animated cartoons, and film.
The word may also be applied to a poem in the form of the thoughts or speech of a single individual.
Monologue is a common feature of opera when an aria, recitative or other sung section may carry out a function similar to that of spoken monologues in the theatre.
Monologues are often found in twentieth century fiction.
Comic monologues have become a standard element of entertainment routines on stage and television.

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oxymoron

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n. expression composed of combined contrasts (e.g. "thunderous silence")

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portmanteau

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n. suitcase, chest, trunk; word or morpheme formed from two other separate units (e.g. smog, formed from 'smoke' and 'fog')

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analogy

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Analogy is both the cognitive process of transferring information from a particular subject (the analogue or source) to another particular subject (the target), and a linguistic expression corresponding to such a process. In a narrower sense, analogy is an inference or an argument from a particular to another particular

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metaphor

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n. simile, poetic substitution of one thing for another in order to suggest comparison or resemblance; mundane thing that is used as a symbol for an abstract concept

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alliteration

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Alliteration is the repetition of a leading vowel or consonant sound in a phrase. A common example in English is "Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers".

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aside

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adv. to the side, on the side; except, besides

n. actor's line directed at an audience and apparently not heard by the other actors

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parody

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v. compose a farcical imitation of another work, write a satirical imitation

n. literary work containing a farcical imitation of a particular person characteristic or style

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ode

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n. lyric poem characterized by lofty feeling and a dignified style; ancient Greek choral piece

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ballad

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n. sentimental song that tells a story, narrative poem adapted for singing

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elegy

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Elegy was originally used for a type of poetic metre (Elegiac metre), but is also used for a poem of mourning, from the Greek elegos, a reflection on the death of someone or on a sorrow generally - which is a form of lyric poetry. An elegy can also reflect on something which seems strange or mysterious to the author. In addition, an elegy (sometimes spelled elegíe) may be a type of musical work, usually in a sad and somber attitude

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metonymy

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n. figure of speech that uses one object in place of another related concept (ex: using "the throne" to refer to the monarchy)

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conceit

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Aside from its common usage, signifying "excessive pride", in literary terms, a conceit is an extended metaphor with a complex logic that governs an entire poem or poetic passage. By juxtaposing, usurping and manipulating images and ideas in surprising ways, a conceit invites the reader into a more sophisticated understanding of an object of comparison.

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apostrophe

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n. punctuation mark used to indicate omission of letters or possession; digression in a discourse to someone not present

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rhetorical questions

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question whose answer is clear, question that was asked solely for the purpose of making an impression

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persuasive writing

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Persuasive writing is used to convince the reader of the writer’s argument. This may involve persuading the reader to perform an action, or simply consist of an argument convincing the reader of the writer’s point of view. Persuasive writers employ many techniques to improve their argument and show support for their claim.

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frame tale

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A frame story (also frame tale, frame narrative, etc.) is a narrative technique whereby a main story is composed, at least in part, for the purpose of organizing a set of shorter stories, each of which is a story within a story—or for surrounding a single story within a story.

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satire

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n. literary work designed to demonstrate the negative aspects of human folly through the use of mockery and derision

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Muse

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n. poet's source of inspiration; (Greek Mythology) any of nine goddesses who are associated with inspiration and creativity for the arts (poetry, music, fine art, etc.)
v. ponder on reflectively, meditate on something in silent wonder, think about pensively

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Enjambment

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n. continuation of a thought from one verse to another (Poetry)

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hyperbole

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n. exaggeration or overstatement intended for effect

He has a brain the size of a pea."
"I could eat a horse."
"I've heard that a million times."

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allegory

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n. representation of abstract or moral concepts in art or literature by means of concrete things or events; symbolic narrative, fable, parable, metaphor, analogy

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personification

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n. act of ascribing human qualities to an inhuman object; embodiment, incarnation; symbol; model, example