Literary Terms Flashcards

Literary Terms Study Notes

• Allegory: A narrative in which characters and events symbolize broader themes and concepts, exemplified in works like Lord of the Flies and Animal Farm.

• Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds; an example is found in Coleridge's line, “The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew...”.

• Allusion: A literary device that references a well-known person, place, event, or work, enhancing depth and meaning.

• Anachronism: An element in a narrative that exists outside its proper time period, creating a sense of temporal dislocation.

• Anaphora: A rhetorical device involving the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines, clauses, or sentences.

• Analogy: A comparison that clarifies an idea by highlighting its similarities to another concept, aiding reader comprehension.

• Antithesis: A device showcasing contrasting ideas through structurally parallel phrases, as seen in Dickens’ phrase, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...”.

• Apostrophe: A figure of speech where the speaker directly addresses an absent character or an abstract quality, illustrated by Shakespeare's address to Rome.

• Apposition: A grammatical construction where a noun or noun phrase is placed next to another noun to explain or clarify it, e.g., “Pollution, the city's main problem, is an issue.”

• Archetype: A recurring symbol, theme, or character type in literature and mythology that evokes strong emotional responses.

• Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within a line; an example is “The bows glided down...”.

• Catharsis: A profound emotional release and moral cleansing achieved through narrative, often experienced through character triumphs or struggles.

• Characterization: The process of creating and developing characters within a narrative, essential for reader connection.

• Climax: The point where ideas or events culminate in importance within a narrative, leading to resolution.

• Connotations: The emotional and associative meanings attached to words beyond their literal definitions; for instance, "home" connotes warmth and safety.

• Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds, as displayed in words like “Even, Heaven, striven”.

• Denotation: The explicit dictionary definition of a word, providing its direct meaning.

• Description: A vivid written portrayal of a person, place, or object, aimed at creating a mental image.

• Details: Specific facts provided by the author, serving to support the text's tone or attitude.

• Dialect: A form of language specific to a particular region or social group, highlighting cultural identity.

• Dialogue: The written conversational exchange between characters, crucial for developing plot and character.

• Diction: The selection and use of words in a literary work, reflecting the author’s style and tone.

• Direct Characterization: Explicit descriptions provided by the author regarding a character's traits.

• Dramatic Irony: A literary device where the audience has more knowledge than the characters, creating tension and engagement.

• Epiphany: A moment of sudden realization or understanding by a character, prompting insights into their situation.

• Epitaph: An inscription on a gravestone that commemorates a deceased person, often reflecting their life or values.

• Epithet: A descriptive label or phrase used in place of a name that highlights characteristics, e.g., "Material Girl".

• Euphemism: A mild or vague term used in place of a more direct or harsh expression to soften the impact, such as saying "passed away" instead of "died".

• Extended Metaphor: A metaphor that is developed in detail throughout a narrative, creating a deeper comparison.

• First-Person Narrator: A narrative perspective where a character within the story recounts events, providing subjective insights.

• Figurative Language: Language that employs figures of speech not meant to be taken literally, such as similes, metaphors, and personification.

• Flashback: A narrative technique that interrupts chronological flow to relate events from the past, enriching character backgrounds.

• Foreshadowing: A literary technique that gives hints or clues about events that will occur later in the story, building suspense.

• Homily: A religious discourse intended for spiritual education, often providing moral lessons.

Test your knowledge of essential literary terms with these flashcards. Each card presents a term along with its definition and an example to help you understand and remember the concepts better. Ideal for students and literature enthusiasts alike.