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American Lit terms
literature terms
50
Literature
11th Grade
09/09/2009

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Term
Allegory
Definition
A literary work in which persons, events, objects represent or stand for something else
Term
Allusion
Definition
An indirect or casual reference to a famous person, event, or literary work with which the reader is assumed to be familiar
Term
Analogy
Definition
A point-by-point comparison by 2 dissimilar things for the purpose of clarifying the less familiar
Term
Antagonist
Definition
Rival or opponent of the Protagonist
Term
Atmosphere
Definition
Prevailing mood created by setting a tone; emotional background
Term
Characterization
Definition
Techniques employed by the author to develop the characters 5 methods: phys. description, dialogue, actions, reactions of others' thoughts/feelings
Term
Climax
Definition
Point of highest intensity or turning point of the action
Term
Conflict
Definition
Struggle between opposing forces: External- Human v. Human, Human v. Nature, Human v. Society Internal- Human v. Him/Herself
Term
Connotation
Definition
Emotional response evoked by a word
Term
Denotation
Definition
Objective dictionary definition
Term
Dialogue
Definition
Conversation between 2 or more characters
Term
Diction
Definition
Writer's choice of words; a significant component of style
Term
Dramatic Irony
Definition
Irony perceived by an audience; when a character makes statements not fully understood by the character; when the reader knows information that the character doesn't
Term
Empathy
Definition
Sharing physical and emotional feelings
Term
Exposition
Definition
Background information; information necessary to the reader placed in the story
Term
Extended Metaphor
Definition
Two unlike objects comapared at some length
Term
Fable
Definition
A brief tale in prose or poetry
Term
Figurative Language
Definition
Language that's not meant to be taken literally
Term
Flashback
Definition
An interruption in the narrative flow in order to present scenes or incidents that occurred prior to the work
Term
Foil
Definition
One character presents a striking contrast to another
Term
Foreshadowing
Definition
Hints or clues of what will occur later in the narrative
Term
Genre
Definition
Categories of literary works
Term
Hyperbole
Definition
Figure of speech characterized by exaggeration- not to be taken literally
Term
Imagery
Definition
Words or phrases which create vivid sensory impressions
Term
Inference
Definition
Something implied, not stated
Term
Irony
Definition
A rhetorical device in which the author conveys a meaning just the opposite of what is said or expected
Term
Maxim
Definition
A brief, concise statement usually containing practical wisdom or advice
Term
Metaphor
Definition
A figure of speech implying a comparison between objects of different classes or categories by saying one object is another
Term
Mood
Definition
Feeling or atmosphere the author creates
Term
Motif
Definition
Recurring thematic element i.e. death or music, etc.
Term
Naturalization
Definition
Realistic fiction developed in France, America, and England in the late 19th century. Human beings are like puppets: controlled by external and internal forces. No free will.
Term
Parable
Definition
A short story told to illustrate a moral lesson, such as "The Good Samaritan"
Term
Paradox
Definition
A statement that appears to be absurd or self-contradictory, but is true on a higher level
Term
Parody
Definition
A humorous literary work that ridicules a serious work by imitating and exaggerating its style
Term
Pathos
Definition
Feeling of great empathy
Term
Plot
Definition
Planned sequence of events in fiction
Term
Point of View
Definition
Vantage point of the author; 1st person, 3rd person limited, and 3rd person omniscient
Term
Protagonist
Definition
Central character; opposite of the Antagonist
Term
Realism
Definition
Truthful imitation of actual life; important literary movement in the latter half of the 19th century
Term
Resolution
Definition
Denouement; final unraveling of the plot
Term
Rhetorical Question
Definition
A question posed which doesn't expect an answer
Term
Romanticism
Definition
Movement in the arts in the 19th century in which writers glorify nature, idealized the past, and celebrated human expression; emotional rather than reasonable
Term
Satire
Definition
Use of sarcasm or irony to ridicule; foolish ideas are ridiculed for the purpose of improving Society
Term
Simile
Definition
A figure of speech in which one object is said to be like another
Term
Setting
Definition
Time and place; also social and moral environment
Term
Stereotype
Definition
Something which conforms to a fixed or general pattern without distinguishing qualities; a standardized mental picture
Term
Stream of Consciousnesses
Definition
Interior monologue; inner thoughts recorded, but not structured
Term
Symbolism
Definition
One object stands for something greater
Term
Theme
Definition
Universal truth contained in a work- not just a word
Term
Tone
Definition
Author's attitude toward the subject and/or audience; author's mood and moral view
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