literary terms
Terms
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- tone
- attitude a writer takes towards a subject or character: serious, humorous, sarcastic, ironic, satirical, tongue-in-cheek, solemn, objective. Similar to Mood
- foreshadowing
- use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in literature.
- satire
- literary tone used to ridicule or make fun of human vice or weakness, often with the intent of correcting, or changing, the subject of the satiric attack.
- theme
- general idea or insight about life that a writer wishes to express. All of the elements of literary terms contribute to theme. A simple theme can often be stated in a single sentence.
- onomatopoeia
- word that imitates the sound it represents. also imitative harmony
- metaphor
- comparison of two unlike things using the verb "to be" and not using like or as as in a simile.
- analogy
- comparison of two pairs which have the same relationship. The key is to ascertain the relationship between the first so you can choose the correct second pair. Part to whole, opposites, results of are types of relationships you should find.
- simile
- is the comparison of two unlike things using like or as. Related to metaphor
- alliteration
- is the repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words.
- irony
- implied discrepancy between what is said and what is meant.
- allusion
- brief reference to a person, event, or place, real or ficticious, or to a work of art. Casual reference to a famous historical or literary figure or event. An allusion may be drawn from history, geography, literature, or religion.
- plot
- is the struggle found in fiction. Conflict/Plot may be internal or external and is best seen in (1) Man in conflict with another Man: (2) Man in conflict in Nature; (3) Man in conflict with self.
- characterization
- method used by a writer to develop a character. The method includes (1) showing the character's appearance, (2) displaying the character's actions, (3) revealing the character's thoughts, (4) letting the character speak, and (5) getting the reactions of others.
- conflict
- struggle found in fiction. Conflict/Plot may be internal or external and is best seen in (1) Man in conflict with another Man: (2) Man in conflict in Nature; (3) Man in conflict with self.
- symbol
- using an object or action that means something more than its literal meaning.
- imagery
- is language that evokes one or all of the five senses: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching.
- personification
- is giving human qualities to animals or objects.
- setting
- determining Time and Place in fiction.