Section 1
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colloquialism
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Cards (235)
Section 1
(50 cards)
colloquialism
this is a word or phrase used in everyday conversational English that isn't a part of accepted "schoolbook" English
antithesis
a rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences
anticlimax
this occurs when an action produces far smaller results than one had been led to expect, it is frequently comic in effect
canon
the works considered most important in national literature or period; works widely read and studied
assonance
the repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose
allegory
a story in which the narrative/characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical or possibly an ethical meaning
aphorism
a short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment
atmosphere
the emotional tone or background that surrounds a scene
Bildungsroman
a German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal
blank verse
poetry written in iambic pentameter, the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton. its lines generally do not rhyme
abstract
an abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research
burlesque
a work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation; a broad parody and exaggerates it into ridiculousness
bathos
the use of insincere or overdone sentimentality
black humor
this is the use of disturbing themes in comedy. e.g. two tramps comically debating over which should commit suicide first, and whether the branches of a tree will support their weight
adage
a saying/proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language
canto
is a divider in long poems, much like chapters in a novel
analogy
a comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things
consonance
the repetition of two or more consonant sounds within a group of words or a line of poetry
caesura
a pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often (but not always marked by punctuation)
bard
a poet, in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment
aspect
a trait of characteristic, as in "an aspect of the dew drop"
alliteration
the repetition of one or more initial consonant in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose. writers use this for ornament or for emphasis
controlling image
when an image dominates and shapes the entire work
ambiguity
a vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation
Apollonian
in contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior
catharsis
a cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy
annotation
a brief explanation,summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature
carpe diem
"seize the day"
apostrophe
a locution that addresses a person/personified thing not present
climax
the high point, or turning point, of a story/play
aside
a speech (usually just a short comment) made by an actor to the audience, as though momentarily stepping outside of the action on stage
ballad
a simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited; a long narrative poem, usually in very regular meter and rhyme, typically has a naive folksy quality
anachronism
a person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time/era in which the work is set
allusion
a reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea
bombast
inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects
belle-lettres
the French term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general
classicism
deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity and restraint
conceit
a witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language; a startling or unusual metaphor, or a metaphor developed and expanded upon several lines
antihero
a protagonist who is markedly unheroic: morally weak, cowardly, dishonest, or any number of other unsavory qualities
novel
a tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. the character may develop understanding via disillusionment, education, doses of reality, or any other experiences that alter his/her emotional/intellectual maturity. e.g. Invisible Man
bibliography
a list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work
metaphysical conceit
a type of conceit that occurs only in metaphysical poetry
classic
a highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time, similar to canon
cadence
the beat or rhythm of poetry in a general sense
connotation
the suggest or implied meaning of a word/phrase
archetype
an abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model/form
cacophony
grating, inharmonious sounds
antagonist
a character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict
coinage
a.k.a. neologism, inventing a word
caricature
a grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things; a portrait that exaggerates a facet of personality
Section 2
(50 cards)
explication
the interpretation/analysis of a text
falling action
the action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict
dramatic irony
when the audience knows something that the characters in the drama do not
explicit
to say or write something directly and clearly
doggerel
crude, simplistic verse, often in sing-song rhyme
ellipsis
three periods (...) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation
foil
a secondary character whose purpose is to highlight the characteristics of a main character, usually by contrast
hubris
the excessive pride/ambition that leads to the main character's downfall
epithet
an adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing
enjambment
the continuation of a syntactic unit from one line or couplet of a poem to the next with no pause
epic
an extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure
eponymous
a term for the title character of a work of literature
dirge
a song for the dead, its tone is typically slow, heavy, and melancholy
elegy
a poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing/death of something/someone of value
empathy
a feeling of association or identification with an object/person
Gothic novel
a novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terror pervades the action. i.e. "Frankenstein"
end stopped
a term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation
couplet
a pair of lines that end in rhyme
genre
a term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay
humanism
a belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity
denotation
the literal, dictionary definition of a word
diction
the choice of words in oral and written discourse
exegesis
a detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature
figurative language
in contrast to literal language, this implies meanings. It includes devices such as metaphors, similes, and personification, etc.
dramatic monologue
when a single speaker in literature says something to a silent audience
epigram
a concise but ingenious, witty and thoughtful statement
foreshadowing
an event or statement in a narrative that suggests, in miniature, a larger event that comes later
fable
a short tale often featuring nonhuman character that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior. i.e Orwell's "Animal Farm"
first person narrative
a narrative told by a character involved in the story, using first-person pronouns such as "I" and "we"
euphemism
a mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term
denouement
the resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work or fiction
foot
the basic rhythmic unit of a line in poetry. it is formed by a combination of two or three syllables, either stressed or unstressed
deus ex machina
in literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem
heroic couplet
two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter are called this
hyperbole
exaggeration/deliberate overstatement
epitaph
lines that commemorate the dead at their burial place. usually a line or handful of lines, often serious or religious, but sometimes witty and even irreverent
extended metaphor
a series of comparisons between two unlike objects that occur over a number of lines
free verse
a kind of poetry without rhymed lines, rhythm or fixed metrical feet
flashback
a return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present actions or circumstances i.e. Invisible Man
euphony
when sounds blend harmoniously; pleasing, harmonious sounds
Dionysian
as distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure seeking impulses
dissonance
the grating of incompatible sounds
fantasy
a story containing unreal, imaginary features
syntax
the ordering and structuring of the words in a sentence
elements
the basic techniques of each genre of literature. IN SHORT STORY: characters, irony, theme, symbol, plot, setting. IN POETRY: figurative language, symbol, imagery, rhythm, rhyme. IN DRAMA: conflict, characters, climax, conclusion, exposition, rising action, falling action, props. IN NONFICTION: argument, evidence, reason, appeals, fallacies, thesis.
farce
a comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose
frame
a structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative
expose
a piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other short comings
harangue
a forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade
mock epic
a parody form that deals with mundane events and ironically treats them as worthy of epic poetry
Section 3
(50 cards)
inversion
switching customary order of elements in a sentence or phrase. when done badly it can give a stilted, artificial look-at-me-I'm-poetry feel to the verse. type of syntax
parallelism
repeated syntactical similarities used for effect
pathetic fallacy
faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects
maxim
a saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth
paradox
a statement that seems self-contradictory yet true
non sequitur
a statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before
pastoral
a work of literature dealing with rural life
objectivity
this treatment of a subject matter is an impersonal/outside view of events
motif
a phrase, idea, event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature.
naturalism
a term often used as a synonym for "realism"; also a view of experiences that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic
meter
the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry
litotes
a form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity
light verse
a variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse, butt sometimes with a satirical thrust
image
a word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled or felt
mood
the emotional tone in a work of literature
oxymoron
a phrase composed of opposites; a contradiction. juxtaposition of contradictory element to create a paradoxical effect
muse
one of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. the imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer
montage
a quick succession of images/impressions used to express an idea
lampoon
a satire
parody
an imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject
kenning
a device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions/qualities, as in "ring-giver" for king and "wale-road" for ocean
metaphor
a figure of speech that compares unlike objects
in medias res
Latin for "in the midst of things"; a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events but at some other critical point
invective
a direct verbal assault; a denunciation. i.e. Candide
metaphysical poetry
the work of poets, particularly those of 17th c., that uses elaborate conceits, is highly intellectual, and expresses the complexities of love and life
lyric
personal, reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject; the word is used to describe tone, it refers to a sweet, emotional melodiousness
implicit
to say or write something that suggests and implies but never says it directly or clearly
metonymy
a figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. e.g. "The White House says..."
opposition
one of the most useful concepts in analyzing literature. it means that you have a pair of elements that contrast sharply.
melodrama
a form of cheesy theater in which the hero is very, very good, the villain mean and rotten, and the heroine oh-so-pure.
ottava rima
an eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem
irony
a mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated, often implying ridicule or light sarcasm
periodic sentence
a sentence not grammatically complete until it has reached its final phrase; sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main thought only at the end
pentameter
a verse with five poetic feet per line
parable
like a fable or an allegory, it's a story that instructs; a story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived
omniscient narrator
a narrator with unlimited awareness, understanding, and insight of characters, setting, background, and all other elements of the story
mode
the general form, pattern, and manner of expression of a work of literature
onomatopoeia
words that sound like what they mean
loose sentence
a sentence that is complete before its end. follows customary word order of English sentences i.e. subject-verb-object
nemesis
the protagonist's archenemy or supreme and persistent difficulty
myth
an imaginary story that has become accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group/society. often used to explain natural phenomena.
narrative
a form of verse or prose that tells a story
moral
a brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature
novel of manners
a novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group
pathos
that element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow
lament
a poem of sadness or grief over the death of a loved one or over some other intense loss
paraphrase
a version of a text put into simpler, everyday, words
ode
a lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful and exalted feelings toward the subject.
idyll
a lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place
subjectivity
this treatment of a subject matter uses the interior/personal view of a single observer and is typically colored with that observer's emotional responses
Section 4
(50 cards)
soliloquy
a speech spoken by a character alone on stage. meant to convey the impression that the audience is listening to the character's THOUGHTS. unlike an aside, it is not meant to imply that the actor acknowledges the audience's presence
rhythm
the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry. similar to meter
romance
an extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places
stock characters
standard or cliched character types: the drunk, the miser, the foolish girl, etc.
protagonist
the main character in a work of literature
requiem
a song of prayer for the dead
simile
figurative comparison using the words "like" or "as"
omniscient narrator
3rd person narrator who sees like God into each character's mind and understands all the action going on.
sarcasm
a sharp, caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt
prosody
the grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry
rhetorical question
a question that suggests an answer. in theory, the effect is that it causes the listener to feel they have come up with the answer themselves
stream of consciousness
a style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind, e.g. Ernest Hemingway
quatrian
a four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem
picaresque novel
an episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. e.g. "Don Quixote", "Moll Flanders"
rhyme
the repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals, used mostly in poetry
rhyme scheme
the patterns of rhymes within a given poem i.e. abba
tone
the author's attitude toward the subject being written about. it's the characteristic emotion that pervades a work or part of a work
point of view
the perspective from which the action of a novel in presented.
sentiment
a synonym for "view" or "feeling"; also refined and tender emotion in literature
symbolism
a device in literature where an object represents an idea
subtext
the implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature
satire
a literary style used to poke fun at, attack or ridicule an idea, vice, or foible, often for the purpose of inducing change. great subjects for this include hypocrisy, vanity and greed, especially if those characteristics have become institutionalized in society
limited omniscient narrator
3rd person narrator who generally reports only what one character (usually the main) sees, and who only reports the thoughts of that one privileged character.
pseudonym
also called "pen name", a false name or alias used by writers. i.e Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) George Orwell (Eric Blair)
first person narrator
this is a narrator who is a character in the story and tells the tale from his/her POV. when the narrator is crazy, a liar, very young, or for some reason not entirely credible, the narrator is "unreliable"
pun
the usually humorous use of a word in such a way to suggest two or more meanings
scansion
the act of determining the meter of a poetic line.
sentimental
a term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish
realism
the depiction of people, things, and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect
personification
giving an inanimate object human like qualities or form
subplot
a subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play, usually connected to the main plot
prelude
an introductory poem to a longer work of verse
theme
the main idea or meaning, often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built
rhetoric
the language of a work and its style; words, often highly emotional, used to convince or sway an audience
setting
the total environment for the action in a novel/play. it includes time, place, historical milieu, and social, political and even spiritual circumstances
rhapsody
an intensely passionate verse or section of verse, usually of love or praise
refrain
a line or set of lines repeated several times over the course of a poem
suggest
to imply, infer indicate. goes along with the concept of implicit
plot
the interrelationship among the events in a story, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution
synecdoche
a figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole or the whole signifies the part
tragedy
a form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish, or even death
style
the manner in which an author uses and arranges words, shapes ideas, forms sentences and creates a structure to convey ideas
objective narrator
3rd person narr. who only reports on what would be visible to a camera, doesn't know what the character is thinking unless the character speaks of it.
summary
a simple retelling of what you've just read. what you DON'T want to do in the Open Essay section :)
persona
the role/facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader, viewer, or the world at large; the narrator in a non-first-person novel
sonnet
a popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme. two types: Shakespearean and Petrarchan
thesis
the main position of an argument. the central contention that will be supported
plaint
a poem or speech expressing sorrow
stanza
a group of lines in verse, roughly analogous in function to the paragraph in prose; a group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter, rhyme, or some other plan
tragic flaw
in a tragedy, this is the weakness of a character in an otherwise good individual that ultimately leads to his demise
Section 5
(35 cards)