English Class Literary Terms Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a simile?

An implicit comparison between two unlike things

A figure of speech that exaggerates for effect

A reference to history or literature

An explicit comparison between two dissimilar things using 'like' or 'as' (correct)

What is a metaphor?

A comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

What is malapropism?

The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one.

What defines a homophone?

Words that have the same pronunciation but different meanings Signup and view all the answers

A pun is based upon what?

Homophones Signup and view all the answers

Explain personification.

Attributing human qualities to abstract ideas or inanimate objects. Signup and view all the answers

What is anthropomorphism?

When an animal or object literally does something human. Signup and view all the answers

Define assonance.

Repetition of vowel sounds. Signup and view all the answers

What is alliteration?

Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Signup and view all the answers

What does allusion refer to?

Reference to history or literature. Signup and view all the answers

Explain connotation.

The suggestive power of a word beyond its literal meaning. Signup and view all the answers

What does denotation mean?

The literal or primary meaning of a word. Signup and view all the answers

What is hyperbole?

Deliberate exaggeration for effect. Signup and view all the answers

Define oxymoron.

A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear together. Signup and view all the answers

What is a rhetorical question?

A question asked for persuasive effect rather than as a genuine request for information. Signup and view all the answers

What is an archetype?

A recurring theme, setting, or character type in literature. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first person narrative point of view?

A story told from the perspective of one or multiple characters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the second person narrative point of view?

A narrative mode addressing the reader directly using 'you'. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the third person limited point of view.

A storytelling method with limited perspective, focusing on one character's thoughts and feelings. Signup and view all the answers

Define third person omniscient point of view.

A narrative perspective that reveals the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters. Signup and view all the answers

What is exposition in a story?

The introduction of background information and context to the main conflict. Signup and view all the answers

Define climax in a narrative.

The most exciting or intense point of the story. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Literary Terms and Their Definitions

Simile: A direct comparison between two unlike things, using "like" or "as" (e.g., "Falling in love is like eating chocolate covered glass").
Metaphor: A comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as" (e.g., "No man is an island" - John Donne).
Malapropism: Incorrect usage of a word that sounds similar to the intended word, often resulting in humor (e.g., "dance a flamingo" instead of flamenco).
Homophone: Words that sound the same but have different meanings, origins, or spellings (e.g., new vs. knew).
Pun: A form of wordplay that exploits homophones for a humorous effect (e.g., waist/waste).
Personification: Assigning human characteristics to abstract ideas or inanimate objects.
Anthropomorphism: Giving animals or objects human traits or behaviors literally (e.g., cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny).
Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words (e.g., sleep, deep).
Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, often at the beginning of words (e.g., sessions, sweet, silent).
Allusion: An indirect reference to historical, literary, or cultural elements.
Connotation: The emotional or associative meanings of a word beyond its literal definition (e.g., gold connoting wealth and beauty).
Denotation: The exact, literal meaning of a word.
Hyperbole: A deliberate exaggeration for the sake of emphasis (e.g., "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse").
Oxymoron: A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms (e.g., jumbo shrimp).
Rhetorical Question: A question posed to make a point rather than to elicit an answer; it asserts something rather than asks a question.
Archetype: A recurring symbol, theme, or character type in literature that highlights universal aspects of human experience.

Narrative Perspectives

First Person Point of View: A narrative told from the perspective of a character in the story, often featuring the pronoun "I"; can be subjective or unreliable.
Second Person Point of View: A less common narrative style directly addressing the reader with "you."
Third Person Limited Point of View: A narrative technique where the narrator knows only the thoughts and feelings of one character.
Third Person Omniscient Point of View: A narrative perspective where an all-knowing narrator reveals the thoughts and feelings of all characters, remaining objective.

Story Structure Elements

Exposition: Introduction of background information, including characters, setting, and the context for the main conflict.
Climax: The most intense or exciting point in the story, often seen as a turning point that drives the plot forward.

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Description

Enhance your vocabulary with this quiz covering essential literary terms common in English class. Explore definitions and examples of similes, metaphors, and malapropisms. Perfect for students looking to improve their literary knowledge!