Literary Terms - 5Th Set

Front 1

inference/infer

Back 1

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.
When a multiple choice question asks for an inference to be drawn from a passage, the
most direct, most reasonable inference is the safest answer choice.

Front 2

invective

Back 2

an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive
language.

Front 3

irony/ironic

Back 3

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or
the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true. Irony is often
used to create poignancy or humor. In general, there are three major types of irony
used in language:
(1) verbal irony – when the words literally state the opposite of the writer’s (or speaker’s)
meaning
(2) situational irony – when events turn out the opposite of what was expected; when
what the characters and
readers think ought to happen is not what does happen
(3) dramatic irony – when facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece
of fiction but known to
the reader, audience, or other characters in the work.

Front 4

litotes

Back 4

a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying
its opposite. Litote is the opposite of hyperbole. Examples: “Not a bad idea,” “Not
many,” “It isn’t very serious.

Front 5

lyric

Back 5

A type of poem characterized by brevity, compression, and the expression of
feeling.

Front 6

metaphor

Back 6

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or
the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. Metaphorical language
makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful.

Front 7

meter

Back 7

The measured pattern of rhythmic accents in poems.

Front 8

metonymy

Back 8

A term from the Greek meaning “changed label” or
“substitute name,” metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is
substituted for that of another closely associated with it. For example, a news release
that claims “the White House declared” rather than “the President declared” is using
metonymy. The substituted term generally carries a more potent emotional impact.

Front 9

mood

Back 9

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and
events can affect the mood. Mood is similar to tone and atmosphere.

Front 10

narrative

Back 10

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.
A narrative poem also tells a story.

Front 11

octave

Back 11

An eight-line unit, which may constitute a stanza; or a section of a poem, as in
the octave of a sonnet.

Front 12

ode

Back 12

A long, stately poem in stanzas of varied length, meter, and form. Usually a
serious poem on an exalted subject, but sometimes lighthearted or humorous.

Front 13

onomatopoeia

Back 13

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds
of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and
murmur.

Front 14

open form

Back 14

A type of structure or form in poetry characterized by freedom from
regularity and consistency in such elements as rhyme, line length, metrical pattern, and
overall poetic structure.

Front 15

oxymoron

Back 15

From the Greek for “pointedly foolish,” an oxymoron is a figure of speech
wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.
Simple examples include “jumbo shrimp” and “cruel kindness.” This term does not
usually appear in the multiple-choice questions, but there is a chance that you might
find it in an essay. Take note of the effect that the author achieves with the use of
oxymoron.
paradox – A statement that appe