Section 1
Preview this deck
aphorism
Front
| 5 | 0 | ||
| 4 | 0 | ||
| 3 | 0 | ||
| 2 | 0 | ||
| 1 | 0 |
Active users
0
All-time users
0
Favorites
0
Last updated
6 years ago
Date created
Mar 1, 2020
Cards (215)
Section 1
(50 cards)
aphorism
A statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and witty manner. The term is often applied to philosophical, moral and literary principles.
couplet
a pair of lines that end in rhyme
ambiguity
A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation.
adage
A saying that becomes widely accepted as truth over time. Usually observances of life and behaviour that express a general truth. Ex: "A penny saved is a penny earned."
analogy
A comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to something else that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar.
archetype
A character, action or situation which represents or reflects a commonly held or universal pattern, such as human nature.
anticlimax
This occurs when an action produces far smaller results than one had been led to expect; it is frequently comic in effect.
connotation
the suggest or implied meaning of a word/phrase
assonance
The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose.
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.
atmosphere
The emotional tone or background that surrounds a scene.
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.
controlling image
when an image dominates and shapes the entire work
allegory
A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical or possibly ethical meaning.
allusion
A reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.
bard
A poet or a performer in olden times who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment.
colloquialism
this is a word or phrase used in everyday conversational English that isn't a part of accepted "schoolbook" English
denotation
the literal, dictionary definition of a word
antagonist
A character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict.
dirge
a song for the dead, its tone is typically slow, heavy, and melancholy
syntax
the ordering and structuring of the words in a sentence
conceit
A figure of speech in which two vastly different objects are likened together with the help of similes or metaphors; it develops a comparison which is exceedingly unlikely but is, nonetheless, intellectually imaginative.
denouement
the resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work or fiction
canon
The works most widely read, studied, and considered most important in national literature or in a specific literary period.
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 folksy quality
dissonance
the grating of incompatible sounds
classicism
Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity and restraint.
doggerel
crude, simplistic verse, often in sing-song rhyme
canto
is a divider in long poems, much like chapters in a novel
apostrophe
A figure of speech where the writer or speaker detaches himself from his present reality and addresses an imaginary character in his speech.
antithesis
A rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.
catharsis
A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy.
bombast
Inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects.
caricature
A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things; a portrait that exaggerates a facet of personality.
coinage
a.k.a. neologism, inventing a word
cacophony
The use of words with sharp, harsh, hissing and unmelodious sounds, primarily those of consonants, to achieve the desired results. Ex: "I detest war because cause of war is always trivial."
Apollonian
In contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behaviour.
anachronism
A person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time/era in which the work is set.
consonance
the repetition of two or more consonant sounds within a group of words or a line of poetry
caesura
It involves creating a fracture within a sentence, where the two separate parts are distinguishable from one another yet intrinsically linked; the purpose is to create a dramatic pause. Ex: "Mozart- oh, how your music makes me soar!"
Dionysian
as distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure seeking impulses
metaphysical conceit
a type of conceit that occurs only in metaphysical poetry
Bildungsroman
A special kind of novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of its main character from his or her youth to adulthood. Generally, such a novel starts with a loss or a tragedy that disturbs the main character emotionally. He or she leaves on a journey to fill that vacuum.
black humor
The use of disturbing themes in comedy. Ex: two tramps comically debating over which should commit suicide first, and whether the branches of a tree will support their weight.
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.
heroic couplet
two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter are called this
cadence
the beat or rhythm of poetry in a general sense
dramatic irony
when the audience knows something that the characters in the drama do not
diction
the choice of words in oral and written discourse
anti-hero
A protagonist who is markedly un-heroic, morally weak, cowardly, dishonest, or any number of other unsavoury qualities; he is not just good or noble like a conventional hero.
Section 2
(50 cards)
elegy
a poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing/death of something/someone of value
ellipsis
three periods (...) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation
hyperbole
exaggeration/deliberate overstatement
empathy
a feeling of association or identification with an object/person
harangue
a forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade
dramatic monologue
when a single speaker in literature says something to a silent audience
epithet
an adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing
farce
a comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose
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
enjambment
the continuation of a syntactic unit from one line or couplet of a poem to the next with no pause
implicit
to say or write something that suggests and implies but never says it directly or clearly
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.
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
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
image
a word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled or felt
lampoon
a satire
foil
a secondary character whose purpose is to highlight the characteristics of a main character, usually by contrast
fantasy
a story containing unreal, imaginary features
first person narrative
a narrative told by a character involved in the story, using first-person pronouns such as "I" and "we"
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
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
figurative language
in contrast to literal language, this implies meanings. It includes devices such as metaphors, similes, and personification, etc.
euphemism
a mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term
explication
the interpretation/analysis of a text
invective
a direct verbal assault; a denunciation. i.e. Candide
extended metaphor
a series of comparisons between two unlike objects that occur over a number of lines
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
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
mock epic
a parody form that deals with mundane events and ironically treats them as worthy of epic poetry
flashback
a return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present actions or circumstances
epigram
a concise but ingenious, witty and thoughtful statement
lament
a poem of sadness or grief over the death of a loved one or over some other intense loss
Gothic novel
a novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terror pervades the action. i.e. "Frankenstein"
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 "whale-road" for ocean
loose sentence
a sentence that is complete before its end. follows customary word order of English sentences i.e. subject-verb-object
genre
a term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay
hubris
the excessive pride/ambition that leads to the main character's downfall
humanism
a belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity
explicit
to say or write something directly and clearly
irony
a mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated, often implying ridicule or light sarcasm
end stopped
a term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation
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
light verse
a variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse, but sometimes with a satirical thrust
idyll
a lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place
frame
a structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative
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"
free verse
a kind of poetry without rhymed lines, rhythm or fixed metrical feet
euphony
when sounds blend harmoniously; pleasing, harmonious sounds
foreshadowing
an event or statement in a narrative that suggests, in miniature, a larger event that comes later
eponymous
a term for the title character of a work of literature
Section 3
(50 cards)
muse
one of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. the imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer
protagonist
the main character in a work of literature
montage
a quick succession of images/impressions used to express an idea
prosody
the grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry
opposition
one of the most useful concepts in analyzing literature. it means that you have a pair of elements that contrast sharply.
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
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.
plaint
a poem or speech expressing sorrow
naturalism
a term often used as a synonym for "realism"; also a view of experiences that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic
ode
a lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful and exalted feelings toward the subject.
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.
mood
the emotional tone in a work of literature
maxim
a saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth
narrative
a form of verse or prose that tells a story
pastoral
a work of literature dealing with rural life
pentameter
a verse with five poetic feet per line
paradox
a statement that seems self-contradictory yet true
ottava rima
an eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem
point of view
the perspective from which the action of a novel in presented.
non sequitur
a statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before
novel of manners
a novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group
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"
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
personification
giving an inanimate object human like qualities or form
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
paraphrase
a version of a text put into simpler, everyday, words
pathos
that element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow
motif
a phrase, idea, event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature.
metaphor
a figure of speech that compares unlike objects
omniscient narrator
a narrator with unlimited awareness, understanding, and insight of characters, setting, background, and all other elements of the story
plot
the interrelationship among the events in a story, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution
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.
parallelism
repeated syntactical similarities used for effect
pun
the usually humorous use of a word in such a way to suggest two or more meanings
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..."
omniscient narrator
3rd person narrator who sees like God into each character's mind and understands all the action going on.
meter
the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry
nemesis
the protagonist's archenemy or supreme and persistent difficulty
moral
a brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature
onomatopoeia
words that sound like what they mean
pathetic fallacy
faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects
objectivity
this treatment of a subject matter is an impersonal/outside view of events
parody
an imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject
melodrama
a form of overly-dramatic theater in which the hero is very, very good, the villain mean and rotten, and the heroine oh-so-pure.
oxymoron
a phrase composed of opposites; a contradiction. juxtaposition of contradictory element to create a paradoxical effect
litotes
a form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity
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
mode
the general form, pattern, and manner of expression of a work of literature
prelude
an introductory poem to a longer work of verse
picaresque novel
an episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. e.g. "Don Quixote", "Moll Flanders"
Section 4
(50 cards)
sentiment
a synonym for "view" or "feeling"; also refined and tender emotion in literature
rhyme
the repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals, used mostly in poetry
zeugma
the use of a word to modify two or more words, but used for different meanings. "He close the door and his heart on his lost love."
theme
the main idea or meaning, often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built
anastrophe
inversion of the natural or usual word order
travesty
a grotesque parody
simile
figurative comparison using the words "like" or "as"
refrain
a line or set of lines repeated several times over the course of a poem
sarcasm
a sharp, caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt
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
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
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)
utopia
an idealized place. imaginary communities in which people are able to live in happiness, prosperity and peace. Sir Thomas More came up with this idea.
verse
a synonym for poetry. also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry
subtext
the implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature
style
the manner in which an author uses and arranges words, shapes ideas, forms sentences and creates a structure to convey ideas
scansion
the act of determining the meter of a poetic line.
rhapsody
an intensely passionate verse or section of verse, usually of love or praise
verisimilitude
similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is
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
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
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
epistrophe
repetition of the same word or group of words at the ends of successive clauses "When we first came we were very many and you were very few. Now you are many and we are getting very few."
realism
the depiction of people, things, and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect
tragic flaw
in a tragedy, this is the weakness of a character in an otherwise good individual that ultimately leads to his demise
subplot
a subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play, usually connected to the main plot
symbolism
a device in literature where an object represents an idea
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
suggest
to imply, infer indicate. goes along with the concept of implicit
villanelle
a French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of 19 lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes
wit
the quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that surprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene
sonnet
a popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme. two types: Shakespearean and Petrarchan
truism
a way-too-obvious truth
verbal irony
a discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words
versification
the structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. i.e. monometer = 1 foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet, etc.
sentimental
a term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish
summary
a simple retelling of what you've just read. what you DON'T want to do in the Open Essay section :)
rhythm
the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry. similar to meter
stock characters
standard or cliched character types: the drunk, the miser, the foolish girl, etc.
rhetoric
the language of a work and its style; words, often highly emotional, used to convince or sway an audience
thesis
the main position of an argument. the central contention that will be supported
setting
the total environment for the action in a novel/play. it includes time, place, historical milieu, and social, political and even spiritual circumstances
requiem
a song of prayer for the dead
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
rhyme scheme
the patterns of rhymes within a given poem i.e. abba
romance
an extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places
voice
the real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker. a verb is in the active voice when it expresses an action performed by its subject. a verb is in the passive voice when it expresses an action performed upon its subject or when the subject is the result of the action. Active: The crew raked the leaves. Passive: The leaves were raked by the crew.
synecdoche
a figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole or the whole signifies the part
anaphora
repetition of the same words or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses. e.g. "I have a dream..."
Section 5
(15 cards)