Literary Terms Crossword Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is an allegory?

A story in which characters represent moral lessons (correct)

A type of poem

A character in a story

A historical account

What does allusion refer to?

A form of poetry

A writing style

Literary reference to a familiar thing (correct)

A type of character

What is an analogy?

A literary genre

A humorous story

A comparison of two or more similar objects (correct)

A type of conflict

What is an anecdote?

A short humorous summary to make a point Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the antagonist?

A character against the main character or hero Signup and view all the answers

What is an autobiography?

Account of someone's life written by that person Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a biography?

Written by someone else about a person's life Signup and view all the answers

What does conflict refer to in literature?

The problem or struggle in the story Signup and view all the answers

What is a denouement?

The outcome or resolution of the story Signup and view all the answers

What is dialogue?

Direct conversation between characters Signup and view all the answers

What is an epic?

A long narrative poem about heroic deeds Signup and view all the answers

What does epiphany mean?

A moment of sudden understanding Signup and view all the answers

What is an epitaph?

A verse written in memory of someone Signup and view all the answers

What defines an essay?

A writing expressing a person's viewpoint Signup and view all the answers

What does exaggeration mean in literature?

Stretching the truth for effect Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes expository writing?

Explaining a concept or idea Signup and view all the answers

What is a fable?

A story involving animals that teaches a lesson Signup and view all the answers

What is a flashback?

An event from the past presented in the present Signup and view all the answers

What does foreshadowing provide in a story?

Hints or clues about future events Signup and view all the answers

What does genre refer to?

The category or type of literature Signup and view all the answers

What does Gothic literature typically include?

Mystery, castles, and supernatural events Signup and view all the answers

What is hyperbole?

An exaggeration or overstatement Signup and view all the answers

What is imagery in literature?

Words that paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind Signup and view all the answers

What is irony?

Words conveying the opposite meaning or expected outcome Signup and view all the answers

What is malapropism?

Humorous play on words resulting from misused similar words Signup and view all the answers

What defines a metaphor?

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things without 'like' or 'as' Signup and view all the answers

What does mood refer to in literature?

The overall feeling evoked in the story Signup and view all the answers

What is a moral in a story?

The lesson learned from the narrative Signup and view all the answers

What does motif refer to?

An often-repeated idea in the narrative Signup and view all the answers

Who is the narrator?

The person telling the story Signup and view all the answers

What is a novel?

A lengthy fictional story Signup and view all the answers

What defines a novella?

A story longer than a short story but shorter than a novel Signup and view all the answers

What does omniscient point of view entail?

The reader knows all thoughts and feelings of all characters Signup and view all the answers

What is an oxymoron?

A combination of contradictory terms Signup and view all the answers

What defines a paradox?

A statement that seems contrary but may be true Signup and view all the answers

What is a parody?

A humorous exaggeration to mock something Signup and view all the answers

What does personification mean?

Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or animals Signup and view all the answers

What does plot refer to?

Sequence of events in a story Signup and view all the answers

Who is the protagonist?

The main character of the story Signup and view all the answers

What is a quest in literature?

A series of events in search of something Signup and view all the answers

What does sarcasm involve?

Using false praise to mock Signup and view all the answers

What is satire?

A literary device to ridicule human weaknesses Signup and view all the answers

What does setting refer to in literature?

Where the action takes place Signup and view all the answers

What defines a simile?

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things using 'like' or 'as' Signup and view all the answers

What is a soliloquy?

A character talking to themselves Signup and view all the answers

What does stereotype mean?

Generalizing a person by group characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What is a symbol in literature?

An element that stands for something else Signup and view all the answers

What does theme refer to?

The main idea or statement about life Signup and view all the answers

What is tragedy in literature?

A story where the hero is destroyed Signup and view all the answers

What does understatement mean in literature?

Emphasizing an element by downplaying it Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Literary Terms

Allegory: A narrative where characters and events symbolize a moral lesson, often conveying profound messages.
Allusion: A reference within a literary work to a well-known person, event, or piece of literature, aiding thematic depth.
Analogy: A comparison made to show similarities between two different things, often used for explanation.
Anecdote: A brief, interesting story, often humorous, used to illustrate a point or idea.
Antagonist: The character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict in the story.
Autobiography: A self-written account detailing the author's own life experiences and personal history.
Biography: The life history of an individual written by another person, providing insight into their experiences and contributions.
Conflict: The central struggle between opposing forces in a narrative, essential for driving the plot.
Denouement: The resolution or outcome of a story where conflicts are resolved and the narrative concludes.
Dialogue: The written conversational exchange between characters, used to reveal character traits and advance the plot.
Epic: A lengthy narrative poem recounting the heroic deeds and adventures of legendary figures or heroes.
Epiphany: A moment of sudden realization or insight that changes a character's understanding or perspective.
Epitaph: A brief poem or inscription in memory of someone, often found on gravestones.
Essay: A form of writing that articulates a writer’s personal viewpoint or argument on a particular topic.
Exaggeration: A rhetorical technique where the truth is stretched for emphasis or effect.
Expository: A type of writing meant to explain, inform, or describe a subject to the reader.
Fable: A concise story, typically featuring animals, that imparts a moral lesson to the reader.
Flashback: An interruption in the chronological sequence of a narrative, providing background or context through past events.
Foreshadowing: Techniques used to hint at future events in a story, creating suspense or anticipation.
Genre: A categorization of literature based on shared characteristics or themes, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc.
Gothic: A literary style marked by dark themes, supernatural elements, and settings like castles or old mansions.
Hyperbole: A figure of speech which employs deliberate exaggeration for effect.
Imagery: Descriptive language that creates vivid mental pictures, appealing to the senses.
Irony: A literary device where words are used to convey a meaning that is opposite to its literal meaning, often creating a humorous or poignant effect.
Malapropism: A comedic misuse of words, often resulting from confusing similar-sounding terms.
Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things without using "like" or "as."
Mood: The emotional tone or atmosphere of a literary work, affecting how readers feel as they engage with the text.
Moral: The lesson conveyed by a story, often central to its theme.
Motif: A recurring idea, symbol, or theme that has a significant presence throughout a literary work.
Narrator: The voice or character telling the story, providing perspective and insight into the plot.
Novel: A long, fictional narrative that explores a complex plot and character development.
Novella: A narrative that is longer than a short story yet shorter and less complex than a novel.
Omniscient: A narrative perspective where the narrator knows everything about the characters, including their thoughts and feelings.
Oxymoron: A figure of speech that juxtaposes contradictory terms to create a unique expression.
Paradox: A statement that appears self-contradictory but may reveal a deeper truth upon reflection.
Parody: A humorous imitation of a particular work or style, exaggerating characteristics for comic effect.
Personification: Attributing human qualities or characteristics to inanimate objects or animals.
Plot: The sequence of events that make up a story, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Protagonist: The main character in a story, often facing conflicts or challenges that drive the narrative.
Quest: A narrative framework where a character undertakes a challenging journey to achieve a specific goal or acquire something of significance.
Sarcasm: A form of verbal irony where praise is exaggerated to mock someone or something.
Satire: A comedic literary technique that critiques human flaws or societal issues through humor and irony.
Setting: The time and place in which the story unfolds, providing context for the narrative events.
Simile: A figure of speech that compares two different things using "like" or "as."
Soliloquy: A monologue delivered by a character expressing their inner thoughts, usually while alone on stage.
Stereotype: A generalized belief or image about a group of people that lacks individuality and depth.
Symbol: An object, person, or event that represents a larger idea or concept within a literary work.
Theme: The overarching idea or message that the author conveys through the narrative, often addressing universal human experiences.
Tragedy: A dramatic narrative where the protagonist faces downfall or destruction, often due to a tragic flaw.
Understatement: A figure of speech that downplays the significance of a situation, often to create irony or emphasize truth.

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Test your knowledge of literary terms with this engaging crossword flashcard quiz. Each card includes a key term and its definition, helping you understand and remember essential literary concepts. Perfect for students and literature enthusiasts alike!