Literary Conventions Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is an allegory?

A dialogue intended for the audience

A play where characters act as symbols (correct)

A reference to something literary or historical

A type of short poem

What does allusion mean?

A reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize.

What is an aside?

A piece of dialogue intended for the audience and supposedly not heard by other actors.

Define convention in literature.

A characteristic of a literary genre that is recognized as a familiar technique. Signup and view all the answers

What is dialogue?

A literary composition in the form of a conversation between two people. Signup and view all the answers

What is deus ex machina?

The use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem in literature. Signup and view all the answers

What is a flashback?

A scene or event from the past that appears out of chronological order. Signup and view all the answers

What does foreshadowing do in a story?

It uses hints or clues to suggest future events in the narrative. Signup and view all the answers

What does in media res mean?

Starting a story in the middle and using a flashback to explain earlier events. Signup and view all the answers

Define satire.

A form of literature that employs irony, sarcasm, and ridicule to attack human vice and folly. Signup and view all the answers

What is a soliloquy?

A speech in a dramatic work where a character speaks his or her thoughts aloud. Signup and view all the answers

What is a sonnet?

A short poem with fourteen lines, usually with a specific rhyme scheme. Signup and view all the answers

What is a truism?

A statement whose truth is obvious or well known. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Literary Conventions Overview

Allegory: A narrative deploying characters as symbols to convey deeper meanings; commonly found in fables.
Allusion: An indirect reference to literature, mythology, or history, presupposing reader familiarity with the source.
Aside: A dialogue meant for the audience's ears only, overlooked by other characters on stage, enhancing dramatic irony.

Key Literary Techniques

Convention: Recognized traits within a literary genre accepted by audiences, including structures like acts, scenes, soliloquies, and moments of flashbacks and foreshadowing.
Dialogue: A written exchange depicting conversation between characters, critical for developing plot and character.
Deus ex machina: An unexpected plot twist involving a seemingly improbable device or solution used to resolve complex issues.

Narrative Devices

Flashback: A retrospective narrative element that interrupts chronological flow to provide context or explain present situations.
Foreshadowing: Strategic hints or clues used by authors to suggest future events, building anticipation and thematic depth.
In media res: A storytelling tactic where the narrative begins in the middle of the action, later incorporating flashbacks for context.

Literary Forms and Styles

Satire: A genre using humor, irony, and ridicule to critique societal follies or human behavior, often aiming for social commentary.
Soliloquy: A dramatic monologue where a character reflects internal thoughts, allowing audiences insight into their psyche.
Sonnet: A structured poetic form consisting of fourteen lines, typically featuring a specific rhyme scheme and rhythm, often divided into segments.

General Concepts

Truism: A self-evident truth or maxim, often reflecting widely recognized beliefs or insights without the need for elaboration.

Description

Test your knowledge of key literary conventions with these flashcards. Each card features a literary term along with its definition to help you improve your understanding of storytelling techniques. Perfect for literature students and enthusiasts alike!