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Vocab (Summer Work)

Terms in this set (66)

theme
A central idea in a piece of writing or other work of art
tone
the general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc.
diction
the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.
direct characterization
narrator specifically tells us what a character is like
Indirect characterization
narrator shows the reader something about the character through the character's actions, things the character says, or things other characters say.
symbol
using an object or action that means something more than its literal meaning.
Imagery
use figurative language to represent objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses.
motif
any recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story
dialogue
conversational passage, or a spoken or written exchange of conversation in a group, or between two persons directed towards a particular subject.
Allusion
figure of speech that refers to a well-known story, event, person, or object in order to make a comparison in the readers' minds.
foil character
A character who is used as a contrast to another character; the contrast emphasizes the differences between the two characters, bringing out the distinctive qualities in each.
Simile
A comparison using "like" or "as"
Metaphor
A comparison without using like or as
extended metaphor
A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.
Personification
A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes
Protagonist
the main character in a literary work
Antagonist
A character or force in conflict with the main character
Oxymoron
A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.
Paradox
A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.
verbal irony
A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant
situational irony
irony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected.
dramatic irony
Irony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.
archetypal
the most representative or typical example of something
Euphemism
An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant
Understatment/litotes
talking about a positive thing in a subtle, understated way
Litotes
A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite
Hyperbole
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Aphorism
A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle.
Synecdoche
a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa
invective
An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.
Apostrophe
A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.
Metonymy
A figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it
didactic
intended to instruct
Syllogism
A form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.
non sequitur
A statement that does not follow logically from evidence
Analogy
A comparison of two different things that are similar in some way
Allegory
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
Parable
A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson
internal conflict
A struggle between opposing needs, desires, or emotions within a single character
external conflict
A struggle between a character and an outside force
Pathos
Appeal to emotion
low/informal diction
A type of diction that emulates everyday speech.
elevated/formal diction
language that creates an elevated (high) tone; contains words with many syllables and long, sophisticated sentences
abstract diction
words that express general ideas or concepts
concrete diction
consists of specific words that describe physical qualities or conditions
Denotative Diction
direct and explicit words
Connotative Diction
words chosen deliberately for the feelings and attitudes associated with them
Colloquial Diction
everyday usage that may contain terms accepted in a group but not universally acceptable
Dialect
a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group.
Syntax
Sentence structure
parallel structure
repetition of the same pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.
declarative sentence
a sentence that makes a statement
imperative sentence
sentence used to command or enjoin
interogative sentence
a sentence that asks a question and ends with a question mark
exclamatory sentence
a sentence expressing strong feeling, usually punctuated with an exclamation mark
Anaphora
the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses
Stichomythia
A dialogue in which the endings and beginnings of each line echo each other, taking on a new meaning with each new line.
Chiasmus
A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed
Antithesis
Direct opposite
first person point of view
a character in the story is actually telling the story himself/herself
stream of consciousness
a style of writing that portrays the inner (often chaotic) workings of a character's mind.
interior monologue
writing that records the conversation that occurs inside a character's head
third person point of view
someone on the outside is looking in and telling the story as he/she see it unfold.
omniscient point of view
The point of view where the narrator knows everything about the characters and their problems - told in the 3rd person.
Selective (limited) omniscient
narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character
objective point of view
a narrator who is totally impersonal and objective tells the story, with no comment on any characters or events.
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