Literary Devices and Terms Quiz

A short, humorous narrative poem from French literature, often focusing on bawdy or satirical themes.

A rhythmic pattern in poetry consisting of ten syllables per line, with alternating unstressed and stressed syllables (example: 'da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM').

A rhythmic pattern in poetry with a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable (example: 'DUM-da').

A rhythmic pattern in poetry with two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable (example: 'da-da-DUM').

A rhythmic pattern in poetry with a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables (example: 'DUM-da-da').

A rhythmic pattern in poetry with two stressed syllables (example: 'DUM-DUM').

A pause at the end of a line of poetry, often marked by punctuation or a natural break in speech.

A pause or break within a line of poetry, often marked by punctuation.

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things using 'like' or 'as.' (example: 'The sky is like a blue blanket').

A figure of speech where a part of something represents the whole, or vice versa. (example: 'wheels' to mean a car).

Two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme.

A long narrative poem, often about heroism and the epic battles of a protagonist who embodies societal values.

A work that describes the origins of the gods and goddesses.

A dramatic genre that explores human suffering and ends in the protagonist's downfall.

A narrative where characters and events symbolize broader concepts such as morality or spiritual truths.

The use of humor or irony to criticize or mock social norms.

A narrative that explores the relationship between texts and how they influence one another.

A term associated with African culture or descent.

A literary movement that emphasized emotion, nature, and individual experience over reason.

The modern era, characterized by changes in thought and societal structure.

The inversion of words or phrases in reverse order for effect. (example: 'I like the cat, the cat likes me' becomes 'The cat likes me, me likes the cat').

A literary movement that explored the subconscious and irrational, often challenging logical conventions.

A poetic technique where a phrase or sentence continues beyond the end of a line without a natural pause.

The sequence of events that make up a narrative, including rising action, climax, and resolution.

Unrhymed poetry written in iambic pentameter.

A shift or turn in tone or argument within a poem.

A figure of speech where something is referred to by something associated or related to it. (example: 'the crown' to mean the king).

Excess or overabundance of meaning, imagery, or emotion in language that often has a powerful impact.

The act of throwing someone or something out of a window.

A moment of critical discovery or recognition, often in a tragedy, where the protagonist gains a new understanding of themselves or the situation.

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of one clause and the beginning of the next. (example: 'Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering').

The emotional release or purification experienced by the audience in a tragedy.

Playful, lighthearted elements that are unexpected or imaginative, often used to create a sense of wonder or charm.

A rhetorical device involving a deliberate exaggeration for effect. (example: 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse').

The omission of sounds or letters within a word. (example: 'o'er' for 'over').

The repetition of the initial consonant sounds in closely connected words. (example: 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers').

Offensive or vulgar language or imagery.

A statement or situation that seems self-contradictory or illogical, but may be true.

Repetition of a phrase at both the beginning and the end of a sentence. (example: 'Blood has been spilled, and blood will be spilled again').

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive sentences. (example: 'We are all going to die, but we can still live. We can still laugh, we can still love, we can still hope.').

A figure of speech where a single word applies to two or more nouns, blending their meanings. (example: 'He lost his job and his mind').

The idea that disaster or extreme events shape history or society.

A dramatic genre characterized by exaggerated emotions and stereotypical characters, often with heightened plot twists and dramatic conflict.