Literary Devices Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does allusion refer to in literature?

A direct address to someone or something not present.

A break in the flow of sound in poetry.

A repetition of sounds at the beginning of consecutive phrases.

A reference to a well-known person, character, place, or event. (correct)

Which term describes the repetition of a sound within nearby words?

Caesura

Assonance

Consonance (correct)

Anaphora

What is an example of an apostrophe in literature?

A figure of speech addressing an absent entity. (correct)

A character speaking directly to the audience.

The use of strong feelings to engage readers.

Repetition of the same consonant sound.

What is the purpose of catharsis in literature?

To engage the reader in emotional purification. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of anaphora?

Repetition of a word at the beginning of sentences. Signup and view all the answers

Which literary device uses vowel sound repetition?

Assonance Signup and view all the answers

What does characterization provide about a character?

Indirect insights into thoughts and motives. Signup and view all the answers

What does connotation refer to in language?

The emotional or associative meaning of a word. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of denotation?

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

What does deus ex machina refer to in literature?

An unexpected event that resolves a plot Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the choice of words and style of expression in writing?

Diction Signup and view all the answers

What is dissonance commonly used for in literature?

To evoke an emotional response Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of ekphrastic descriptions in literature?

To explore deeper meanings of art Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes hubris?

Excessive pride leading to downfall Signup and view all the answers

What is an idiom?

A figurative expression with a non-literal meaning Signup and view all the answers

What does imagery in literature primarily focus on?

Evoking sensory experiences Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes a character that contrasts with another character?

Foil Signup and view all the answers

What is a paradox?

A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a truth Signup and view all the answers

What does point of view influence in a narrative?

How readers perceive the events Signup and view all the answers

What does symbolism represent in literature?

Ideas or qualities beyond their literal sense Signup and view all the answers

How does tone affect a literary work?

It influences the reader's emotional response Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by internal rhyme?

Rhyme happening within a single line of poetry Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Literary Devices

Allusion: A reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of art to enrich meaning for the reader. Example: "Some people are calling me the Tiger Woods of miniature golf."
Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, sentences, or lines. Example: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."
Apostrophe: Addressing an absent person, abstract idea, or inanimate object directly. Example: "Is this a dagger which I see before me?"
Aside: A short speech from a character directly to the audience. Example: "O, speak again, bright angel..."
Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. Example: "Keep your eyes on the prize."
Caesura: A pause or break within a line of verse. Example: "Blue hampers... || Explosions..."
Catharsis: The emotional release or purification experienced by a reader/character. Example: "...seal with a righteous kiss A dateless bargain to engrossing death!"
Characterization (direct/indirect): Describing characters explicitly ("Mr. Bingley was good-looking") or implicitly through actions and dialogue.
Connotation: The implied or suggested meaning of a word beyond its literal definition. Example: "His eyes were cold and calculating."
Consonance: Repetition of consonant sounds in nearby words. Example: "Toss the glass, boss."
Denotation: The literal meaning of a word. Example: "You are a girl."
Deus ex machina: An unexpected and improbable rescue from a seemingly hopeless situation. Example: A mysterious figure descending from the sky and saving the hero.
Diction: Word choice and style in writing that impacts tone and mood. Example: "The man spoke in a low voice..."
Dissonance: Use of jarring sounds or words to create tension. Example: "Out, out, brief candle..."
Ekphrastic: A literary work that describes and interprets a work of art. Example: "As she stood before the painting..."
Epic: A long narrative poem about a hero. Example: "Thus, while the mute creation downward bend..."
Figurative Language: Language used beyond its literal meaning to create imagery. Example: "Time is a thief."
Foil: A character who contrasts with another (usually the protagonist) to highlight their traits. Example: Character example from "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."
Hubris: Excessive pride that leads to a character's downfall. Example: "I count myself the son of Chance..."
Idiom: A phrase with a non-literal meaning. Example: "It's raining cats and dogs."
Imagery: Vivid language that creates mental pictures. Example: "..."The lawn started at the beach..."
Internal Rhyme: Rhyme within a single line of poetry. Example: "The rat sat on the mat."
Irony: Contrast between expectation and reality. Example: "O happy dagger, this is thy sheath..."
Metaphor: A comparison of unlike things without using "like" or "as." Example: "All the world's a stage..."
Meter: Rhythmic structure of lines of poetry. Example: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"
Metonymy: Substituting one word or phrase for another related to it. Example: "The pen is mightier than the sword."
Mood: The emotional atmosphere or feeling in a literary work. Example: "It was a low, dull, quick sound..."
Paradox: A seemingly contradictory statement that reveals truth. Example: "War is peace. Freedom is slavery..."
Point of View: The perspective from which a story is told. Example: "She watched the sun set..." (Third-person point of view)
Plot: Sequence of events in a story. Example: "Harry had never even imagined such a strange and splendid place..."
Refrain: Repeated line or group of lines. Example: "Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore.'"
Setting: Time and place of a story. Example: "In his blue gardens..."
Speaker/Voice: The narrator of a story. Example: "I shall be telling this with a sigh..."
Structure: Arrangement of elements in a work (plot, chapters, etc.). Example: "The play's the thing wherein I'll catch..."
Symbolism: Using symbols to represent something else. Example: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Synecdoche: A part representing a whole or a whole representing a part. Example: "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears."
Synesthesia: Describing one sense with terms for another. Example: "And the rest is rust and stardust."
Theme: Central idea or message of a literary work. Example: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view..."
Tone: Author's attitude toward the subject and audience. Example: "He whispered softly..."
Zeugma: Using a verb with two or more objects, but with different meanings. Example: "The fire and his temper burned hot."

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Description

Test your knowledge of essential literary devices with this quiz. Explore terms like allusion, anaphora, and apostrophe with examples to enrich your understanding. Perfect for literature students and enthusiasts alike!