lit terms

Question 1

allegory

Answer 1

the device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning(moral truth or generalization about human existence)
ex). an author intends the characters to personify an abstraction (hope, freedom).

Question 2

alliteration

Answer 2

repetition of sounds (mainly consonant with 2+ neighboring words)
-reinforces meaning, unify ideas, give musical sound, or echo sense of passage
ex). sally sells seashells

Question 3

allusion

Answer 3

direct or indirect reference to smth which is presumably common knowledge (event/book/myth) can be historical, religious, mythical

Question 4

ambiguity

Answer 4

multiple meanings (intentional or not) of words, phrases, sentence

Question 5

analogy

Answer 5

comparison/similarity btwn 2 different things or relationship btwn them
- can explain smth unfamiliar

Question 6

anaphora

Answer 6

a sub-type or parallelism, when exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences
ex) ‘I have a dream speech”

Question 7

antecedent

Answer 7

the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun

Question 8

antithesis

Answer 8

the opposition or contrast of ideas expressed in grammatically balanced statements
ex) Shakespeare’s Macbeth? “fair is foul, but foul is fair

Question 9

aphorism

Answer 9

a terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle

Question 10

apostrophe

Answer 10

a figure of speech that directly address an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction (liberty or love)
-imply a personification of the object addressed (addressing smth that can’t answer)

Question 11

argumentative appeals

Answer 11

key ways in which writers and speakers can appeal to their audiences in arguments

Question 12

argumentative appeal: ethos

Answer 12

argumentative technique deals with “presentations of self.” The development of credibility or similar ethics. A rhetorical device that establishes the credibility or character of the author or a narrator to persuade the audience

Question 13

argumentative appeals: logos

Answer 13

argumentative technique that appeals to logic. A rhetorical device that appeals to an audience’s sense of reason, logic, and rationality. The presentation of facts, stats, and credible testimony to support an argument

Question 14

argumentative appeals: pathos

Answer 14

argumentative techniques that generate emotions (fear, anger, pity, etc.). It is an element that evokes feelings and makes characters’ experiences relatable, thereby enhancing the emotional impact of a story and their disposition to receive the author’s claim; uses literary devices

Question 15

atmosphere

Answer 15

the overall emotional feeling or mood of a work, created by the author through setting, tone, and descriptive language. It’s the emotional landscape that shapes how a reader perceives the story and its characters, and it can evoke a specific feeling like dread, joy, or tension

Question 16

cacophony

Answer 16

a literary device that uses a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds to create a jarring and unpleasant auditory experience

Question 17

caricature

Answer 17

a character or personality portrayed with exaggerated and simplified features, often to create a humorous or satirical effect

Question 18

catharsis

Answer 18

the emotional release or purification of emotions, especially pity and fear, that the audience experiences after witnessing a tragedy

Question 19

clause

Answer 19

a group of words containing both a subject and a predicate (verb). Clauses are the fundamental building blocks of sentences and can be either independent (a complete thought that can stand alone) or dependent (a group of words that does not express a complete thought and must be attached to an independent clause).

Question 20

colloquial/colloquialism

Answer 20

the use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. A word or phrase that is not formal or literary, typically one used in ordinary or familiar conversation

Question 21

conceit

Answer 21

an elaborate, extended metaphor that creates a surprising and witty comparison between two very different things, revealing deeper meaning

Question 22

connotation

Answer 22

the non-literal associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. May involved emotions, ideas, or attitudes. Writers use connotations to add layers of meaning, evoke feelings, and create specific imagery or tones that might be positive, negative, or neutral, influencing the reader’s perception and interpretation
ex). “home” literally means a dwelling, but connotes warmth

Question 23

denotation

Answer 23

the literal, dictionary definition of a word, stripped of any emotional associations or cultural context. It is the foundational, explicit meaning that writers use for clear communication, serving as a baseline from which other figurative language can build

Question 24

diction

Answer 24

the author’s specific word choice, or the vocabulary they use, which powerfully shapes style, tone, mood, and character, revealing things like a character’s background, social status, or the setting’s time period

Question 25

didactic

Answer 25

From the Greek meaning: teaching. writing that is designed to teach, instruct, or impart moral, ethical, or religious lessons

Question 26

digression

Answer 26

the use of material unrelated to the subject of the work. a temporary departure from the main narrative to discuss a related but separate topic. Writers use this technique to provide background information on characters or settings, etc.

Question 27

denouement

Answer 27

the final stage in the plot structure in which the problem(s) is solved. the final part of a story after the climax, where plot threads are resolved, mysteries are explained, and the central conflicts are tied up, providing a sense of closure or final meaning for the reader, often revealing the ultimate fate of characters and themes

Question 28

Deus Ex Machina

Answer 28

("God out of the machine") a literary device where a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly resolved b y an unexpected contrived event, person, object, or power

Question 29

epiphany

Answer 29

In literature, an epiphany is a sudden, profound moment of revelation or insight that a character experiences, leading to a significant shift in their understanding, perspective, or self-awareness, often serving as a crucial turning point in their development or the narrative.

Question 30

euphemism

Answer 30

from the Greek for "good speech" a word or phrase used to substitute a harsh, unpleasant, or taboo subject with a milder, more agreeable one. -"earthly remains" rather than "corpse"

Question 31

extended metaphor

Answer 31

a literary device that develops a single comparison (metaphor) over several lines, paragraphs, or an entire work.

Question 32

farce

Answer 32

a type of comedy that aims to entertain the audience through exaggerated, improbable, and absurd situations rather than through character development or a complex plot.

Question 33

figurative language

Answer 33

writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid

Question 34

figure of speech

Answer 34

a device used to produce figurative language (metaphor, personification, simile, hyperbole, etc.

Question 35

foil

Answer 35

a character, setting, or even a subplot that contrasts with another to highlight its specific traits

Question 36

foreshadowing

Answer 36

a literary device where an author gives hints or clues about what will happen later in the story

Question 37

generic conventions

Answer 37

the recognizable patterns, elements, and rules (like character types, plot structures, settings, themes) that define a specific genre (e.g., romance, sci-fi, mystery), setting reader expectations and guiding authors

Question 38

genre

Answer 38

a category or type of writing defined by shared conventions, style, tone, and subject matter, grouping works like romance, sci-fi, mystery, poetry, or drama

Question 39

homily

Answer 39

means "sermon". a solemn, moralizing talk or writing, often a long or dull sermon. Any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice

Question 40

hyperbole

Answer 40

figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis or emotional effect, and is not meant to be taken literally ex). it's boiling hot out

Question 41

hubris

Answer 41

excessive pride or overconfidence that leads to a character's downfall

Question 42

imagery

Answer 42

the use of descriptive and figurative language to appeal to the reader's five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—to create mental pictures and evoke emotions

Question 43

imperative

Answer 43

a type of sentence and a quality of extreme importance. The mood of a verb that gives a command/order

Question 44

inference/infer

Answer 44

the process of drawing a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning rather than on explicit statements. On the exam when asked to make an inference about a passage the most direct, reasonable inference is the safest. Not the answer that is directly said from the text

Question 45

invective

Answer 45

abusive, insulting, or vitriolic language used to denounce or blame a person or thing. It is a form of denunciation that can appear in various genres

Question 46

irony/ironic

Answer 46

a figure of speech in which words or events are used to have an opposite meaning from what is expected.

Question 47

verbal irony

Answer 47

a figure of speech where a speaker says one thing but means the opposite, creating a contrast between the literal words and the intended meaning, often for humorous or critical effect ex). "What lovely weather!" said during a heavy rainstorm

Question 48

situational irony

Answer 48

a literary device where the outcome of a situation is the opposite of what is expected. It is a contradiction between what is anticipated and what actually happens, often creating a surprising or thought-provoking effect that can highlight a theme.

Question 49

dramatic irony

Answer 49

a narrative device where the audience or reader knows crucial information that a character in the story does not, creating tension, suspense, humor, or pity as we watch them act unknowingly towards a known outcome

Question 50

jargon

Answer 50

the specialized, technical language used by a particular group (like doctors, lawyers, or techies) that's often hard for outsiders to understand, serving to build in-group identity but potentially confusing others, or it can mean pretentious, obscure, or unintelligible language, making communication difficult

Question 51

juxstaposition

Answer 51

the technique of placing two or more elements side by side to highlight their differences or similarities, often to create contrast and new meaning

Question 52

litotes

Answer 52

a literary device where a positive statement is expressed by negating its opposite, creating an ironic or understated effect. Instead of directly stating something, it's described as being "not bad," "not unhappy," or "hardly unattractive"

Question 53

lose sentence/non-periodic sentence

Answer 53

a sentence structure where the main independent clause comes first, followed by one or more modifying phrases or clauses. This structure places the essential information at the beginning and adds details as the sentence continues, creating a flowing, conversational, and descriptive style. ex). ¨I arrived in San Diego after a long, bumpy ride, and multiple delays¨ -can stop at ¨I arrived in San Diego¨

Question 54

lyrical

Answer 54

writing (especially poetry) that is emotional, personal, musical, and expressive, focusing on the speaker's inner feelings (joy, sorrow, love) rather than telling a story

Question 55

metaphor

Answer 55

a figure of speech directly stating one thing is another, unrelated thing to highlight shared qualities, creating vivid imagery and deeper meaning without using "like" or "as" ex). "Her eyes are diamonds," "The world is a stage," or "Time is a thief"

Question 56

metonymy

Answer 56

a figure of speech in literature where a word or phrase is replaced by another that is closely associated with it, ex). "the pen" for writing, or "the crown" for the monarchy

Question 57

mood

Answer 57

the atmosphere or emotional setting an author creates to make the reader feel a certain way ex). suspenseful, joyful, gloomy

Question 58

motif

Answer 58

a recurring image, idea, sound, symbol, or pattern that repeats throughout a story, acting as a clue that reinforces the larger, abstract theme, adds depth, and connects different parts of the narrative ex). the color green in The Great Gatsby or light/darkness in Romeo and Juliet

Question 59

narrative

Answer 59

the telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events

Question 60

onomatopoeia

Answer 60

a literary device where a word imitates the sound it represents, used in literature to create vivid sensory experiences and enhance the reader's imagination. ex). buzz, hiss, sizzle, and bang

Question 61

oxymoron

Answer 61

a figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms to create a new, deeper meaning ex). "brawling love," "loving hate," and "sweet sorrow", or the phrase "deafening silence".

Question 62

parable

Answer 62

a short, simple story using everyday human situations to teach a deeper moral, ethical, or spiritual lesson ex). Aesop's "Boy Who Cried Wolf" (honesty/consequences)

Question 63

paradox

Answer 63

a statement, situation, or idea that seems self-contradictory but, upon closer examination, reveals a deeper truth, meaning, or insight, prompting critical thinking and deeper engagement with the text's themes ex). "Less is more", "I must be cruel, only to be kind"

Question 64

parallelism

Answer 64

a rhetorical device where writers use similar grammatical structures, words, phrases, or clauses to create rhythm, balance, emphasis, and clarity, often repeating patterns to link ideas ex). "I have a dream" or "We came, we saw, we conquered,"

Question 65

parody

Answer 65

a composition that imitates the style and characteristic features of a specific author, literary work, or genre, deliberately exaggerating them for a humorous or satirical effect. the primary purpose is often a critique or commentary on the original work, its creator, or the societal norms it represents, rather than mere imitation ex). SNL

Question 66

pastoral

Answer 66

a rural or natural setting

Question 67

pedantic

Answer 67

an adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that are overly scholarly, academic, or bookish. (language that might be described as how offy"; usin big words for the sake of using big words)

Question 68

periodic sentence

Answer 68

opposite of loose sentence. a complex sentence that delays the main clause or point until the end, after a series of introductory subordinate clauses or phrases. This structure builds suspense and emphasizes the final part of the sentence by creating a sense of anticipation as the reader waits for the complete idea to be revealed. ex). After a long, bumpy flight, and multiple delays, I arrived in San Diego

Question 69

personification

Answer 69

a literary device that gives human qualities, actions, or emotions to inanimate objects, animals, or abstract ideas ex). the wind whispered

Question 70

point of view

Answer 70

the perspective from which a story is told, determining who narrates and how much they know, shaping the reader's understanding of events and characters through specific pronouns

Question 71

first person narrator

Answer 71

a character in a story who tells it from their own perspective using pronouns like "I" or "we"

Question 72

third person narrator

Answer 72

is a storytelling perspective where the narrator is outside the story, referring to characters as "he," "she," or "they," ---> third person omniscient: narrator is an all-knowing, outside voice that can access and reveal the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of any character in the story ---> third person limited omniscient: one specific character's thoughts, feelings, and perspective, acting as a filter for the entire story, offering depth and intimacy while restricting reader knowledge to only what that character knows

Question 73

précis

Answer 73

a concise, accurate summary of a longer text, capturing its main idea, supporting points, author's purpose, and method of development, while maintaining the original's tone and proportions, usually around one-fourth to one-sixth the original length, using your own words but without personal opinion

Question 74

prose

Answer 74

one of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms. In prose, the printer determines the length of the line; in poetry, the poet determines the length of the line

Question 75

repetition

Answer 75

a device where words, phrases, sounds, or full sentences are used multiple times to emphasize key points, create rhythm and musicality, evoke emotions, or reinforce a theme

Question 76

rhetoric

Answer 76

the art of using language effectively to persuade, inform, or influence an audience

Question 77

rhetorical modes

Answer 77

fundamental patterns or organizational strategies writers use to achieve a specific purpose

Question 78

rhetorical mode: exposition

Answer 78

to explain and analyze info by giving ideas, relevant evidence and appropriate discussion

Question 79

rhetorical mode: argumentation

Answer 79

prove the validity of an idea or pov by giving sound reasoning, discussion, and argument convinces the reader (persuasive writing a type of argumentation)

Question 80

rhetorical mode: description

Answer 80

recreate, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so the reader can picture it

Question 81

rhetorical mode: narration

Answer 81

to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events (uses descriptive writing)

Question 82

rhetorical question

Answer 82

a question asked for effect not in the expectation of reply; the speaker's duty to answer

Question 83

sarcasm

Answer 83

sharp and often bitter form of verbal irony in which a character or narrator says the opposite of what they actually mean, specifically to mock, ridicule, or convey contempt towards a person, situation, or social convention. Not all irony is sarcastic

Question 84

satire

Answer 84

a genre or literary device that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, often with the aim of provoking social or political change. Its primary purpose goes beyond mere amusement; it is a form of social commentary that "holds a mirror" to society's flaws, encouraging readers to reflect on and potentially correct human behavior or institutional shortcomings ex). The Office (UK and US versions): Uses situational humor to critique modern office culture, corporate management, and the absurdities of everyday work life.

Question 85

semantics

Answer 85

the study of meaning in words, symbols, and literary devices, exploring how authors use language's inherent meanings (denotation) and associations (connotation) to create deeper layers of understanding, tone, and impact, crucial for interpreting figurative language like metaphors, similes, and symbolism to grasp the text's full message beyond literal definitions

Question 86

setting

Answer 86

the background of a story - the physical location of a play, story, or novel - involves time and place

Question 87

simile

Answer 87

a comparison of two unlike objects using like or as or than

Question 88

style

Answer 88

the unique way an author uses language, including their choice of words (diction), sentence structure (syntax), tone, and other techniques to convey meaning and create an effect. It encompasses elements like rhythm, figurative language, and the author's overall "voice," which together make their writing distinctive

Question 89

subject complement

Answer 89

a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and provides more information about the subject of the sentence. It can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective --->Predicate Nominative: A noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject. ex). "She is a teacher." (Teacher renames "She"). ---> Predicate Adjective: An adjective that describes the subject. ex). "The cake is delicious." (Delicious describes "The cake").

Question 90

subordinate clause

Answer 90

a clause, typically introduced by a conjunction, that forms part of and is dependent on a main clause ex). “when it rang” in “she answered the phone when it rang”

Question 91

syllogism

Answer 91

a logical argument, originating in ancient Greek philosophy and fundamental to deductive reasoning, where a conclusion is inferred from two or more premises ex). Major premise: all men are mortal minor premise: Socrates Socrates is a man conclusion: therefore, Socrates is a mortal

Question 92

synecdoche

Answer 92

a figure of speech where a part represents the whole, or the whole represents a part, creating concise imagery by naming a component to evoke the entire thing ex). "all hands on deck" for sailors), "the crown" for the monarchy ---> not metonymy where one thing is represented by another thing that is commonly physically associated with it (but not necessarily a PART of it)

Question 93

symbol/symbolism

Answer 93

a person, object, situation, or action that has a literal meaning but also represents an abstract idea or concept. It goes beyond its surface-level meaning to suggest or stand for something else ex). A symbol has a concrete, literal meaning within the story (e.g., a dove is a bird) but also carries a deeper, abstract meaning (e.g., peace), the color red in "our missing hearts"

Question 94

synesthesia

Answer 94

a rhetorical device that blends one sense into another to create a more vivid or impactful description. It is a metaphorical process where a writer describes something in terms of a sense it's not normally associated with, ex). "a bright sound" (sound described with sight) or "the silent sun" (sight described with sound)

Question 95

syntax

Answer 95

the writer's deliberate arrangement of words, phrases, and sentence structures to create meaning, rhythm, emphasis, and tone

Question 96

theme

Answer 96

the central, unifying idea or message in a literary work that explores a universal concept, such as love, family, or redemption

Question 97

thesis

Answer 97

the main argument or controlling idea of a piece of writing, often presented as a concise thesis statement that introduces the topic and the author's position on it

Question 98

tone

Answer 98

the author's attitude or feeling toward their subject, characters, or audience, conveyed through word choice (diction), sentence structure (syntax), imagery, and style

Question 99

transition

Answer 99

a word, phrase, sentence, or structural shift that smoothly connects different ideas, scenes, characters, times, or locations, guiding the reader from one element to another, signaling changes in mood, time ex). (like "later that day"), place ("meanwhile, across town"), pov

Question 100

understatement

Answer 100

a figure of speech where a writer or speaker deliberately downplays the significance of something, making it seem less important or serious than it actually is

Question 101

wit

Answer 101

the ability to express ideas with ingenious compression and a swift, insightful perception of the incongruous, resulting in clever and often humorous remarks