Questions and Answers
What is an allegory?
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.
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What is dialogue?
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What is deus ex machina?
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What is a flashback?
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What does foreshadowing do in a story?
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What does in media res mean?
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Define satire.
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What is a soliloquy?
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What is a sonnet?
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What is a truism?
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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.
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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!