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active voice

Describes the relationship betweenthe action (and state) that the verbexpresses and the participantsidentified by its arguments (subject,object, etc.). When the subject is theagent or actor of the verb, the verb isin the active voice.

allegory

An extended narrative,which carries a secondmeaning along with its

surface story; the peopleand events are symbolic.

alliteration

The repetition of similarconsonant sounds at the

beginning of words.

allusion

Referring metaphorically topersons, places, and things fromhistory or previous literature.Enrich their contexts byreminding the reader of relevantassociations.

analogy

An explanation of onething by comparing it point

by point with somethingelse.

anecdotal evidence

Usually relate to howcertain types of evidence

cannot be used to logicallyconclude something.

antagonist

The forces arrayed againstthe main character (persons,things, conventions ofsociety, or traits of theprotagonist's own character).

anti-climax

An abrupt declension (either deliberate orunintended) on the part of a speaker orwriter from the dignity of idea which heappeared to be aiming at. (ex. "The holypassion of Friendship is of so sweet andsteady and loyal and enduring a naturethat it will last through a whole lifetime, ifnot asked to lend money.")

antithesis

Using contrasts for effect(ex. Deserts are dry; oceans

are wet)

apostrophe

The direct addressing of aperson, an inanimateentity, or an abstract

quality as though it werepresent and listening.

archaic language

Old-fashioned, out-of-datelanguage and expressions.

argumentative essay

An essay, which attemptsto convince the reader ofthe truth of a premise bymeans of logic and otherforms of persuasion.

A stage convention used toindicate words spoken by acharacter but heard only bythe audience and not byother characters on stage.

assonance

The repetition of vowelsounds without the repetitionof the same consonants. (ex.The rain in Spain staysmainly in the plain.)

atmosphere

The mood the reader getsfrom the setting, the

characterization and thetone of the narrator.

audience

The people for whom awritten work or

presentation is intended.

autobiography

A non-fictional account of aperson's life written by the

subject.

ballad

Traditionally, narrativepoems that began as songs

and were handed downorally.

ballad stanza

Four-line stanzas(quatrains) with alternatingfour-beat and three-beatlines, and rhymes in thesecond and fourth lines.

A subjective point of viewin which the writer's

opinion affects the integrityof the work.

biography

A non-fictional account ofsomeone's life.

blank verse

Usually iambic pentameterbut no rhyme. (ex.

Shakespeare's plays)

cacophony

A combination of harsh,unpleasant sounds, whichcreate an aggregate effect.

caricature

A description of a personusing exaggeration of some

characteristics andoversimplification of others

for comic reasons.24b

case study

A detailed analysis of anindividual, group, or event.

catastrophe

One name for theconcluding action of a

tragedy; a disaster of hugeproportions.

cause and effect

Two events are related whenone event brings about orcauses the other. The event thathappens first is the cause; theone that follows is the effect.

character

A person who isresponsible for the

thoughts and actionswithin a story, poem, or

other literature.28b

character foil

A character that contrasts withanother character (usually theprotagonist) and so highlightsvarious facets of the maincharacter's personality.

characterization

A method of presenting thespecial qualities or features

of a character.

chorus

A group of people who serve mainlyas commentators on the charactersand events. Add to the audience'sunderstanding of the play byexpressing traditionally moral,religious, and social attitudes.

chronological order

The order in which eventshappen in time.

cliché

An over-used, time-wornexpression or idea.

climactic order

To save the most importantto last.

climax

Turning point, point of maximuminterest, and highest tension in theplot of a story, play, or film. Usuallyoccurs towards the end of story afterthe reader has understood theconflict and become emotionallyinvolved with the characters.

colloquial language

Informal language;language that is

"conversational".

colloquialism

A word or phrase used inan easy informal style of

writing or speaking.

comedic relief

The inclusion of ahumorous character orscene in an otherwise

serious work of literature.38b

comedy

A ludicrous and amusingevent or series of events in

a work of literature.

compare and contrast

To note the similarities anddifferences between two

things.

comparison

The process of identifyingsimilarities.

conflict

The tension or problem of astory; a struggle betweenopposing forces. (man vs.man, man vs. nature, man

vs. himself)42b

connotation

The cluster of implications thatwords or phrases may carrywith them, as distinguishedfrom their denotative, or exact,meanings.

consonance

A special type of alliterationin which the repeatedpattern of consonants aremarked by changes in theintervening vowels.

contrast

Showing differencesbetween or among things.

couplet

A pair of rhymed lines thatform a stanza.

denotation

The specific, exact meaningof a word, independent of

its emotional coloration orassociations.

denouement

The outcome of a series ofevents, the resolution thatoccurs after the climax of a

work of literature.48b

descriptive essay

An essay that describes aperson, place, or object.

dialect

Language from a particularplace, era, or social class.

dialogue

Lines spoken betweencharacters of a work of

literature.

An informal record of aperson's private life.

diction

The choice of words andword order in a work of

literature.

didactic

Writing used to teach orconvince the reader of a

particular point.

dilemma

A problem that createsconflict within or between

characters.

direct presentation

When the writer tells readers whatkind of personality the characterpossesses rather than allowing thecharacter to show his or herpersonality and allow readers todraw their own conclusions.

dissonance

The deliberate use ofsyllables or words thatsounds harsh together.

Writing presented in theform of a pantomime, play,

or dialogue in front of anaudience.

dramatic form

Various literary forms thatare related and include

dramatic material.

dramatic irony

A situation in a narrative ordrama where the audience

knows more than thecharacter.

dramatic monologue

When a single characteraddresses a silent audience

at a critical moment andreveals something about

himself or herself.61b

dynamic character

A character that developsand changes in a work of

literature.

editorial

An opinion piece about anytopic.

A mournful poem; a lamentfor the dead.

emotional appeal

Persuading an audiencethrough the use of emotion.

A poem that is a long narrative,has a hero or anti-hero, useselevated language, and in whichthe outcome of a group of peopleis based on the success or failureof the protagonist.

epigram

A short verse at thebeginning of a poem or

novel.

epilogue

A short addition ofconcluding section at the

end of a literary work, oftendealing with the future of

its characters.68b

epiphany

A revelation of such powerand insight that it alters

the world-view of theperson who experiences it.

epitaph

An inscription on a tombstoneor monument in memory of theperson buried there; a summarystatement of commemorationfor a dead person.

euphemism

A "nicer" word or phraseused to replace an offensive

word or phrase.

euphony

Agreeable sounds producedby a succession ofmellifluous words.

expert testimony

An opinion given by aperson highly educated in a

topic.

exposition

The "exposing" of the storybehind the story; an act of

writing a speech for thepurpose of conveying

information.74b

expository essay

A simple essay usuallyfactual and written without

emotion.

extended metaphor

A metaphor that isextended through a stanza

or entire poem, often bymultiple comparisons ofunlike objects or ideas.

external conflict

A struggle between twoopposing characters or

forces.

A short tale with animalcharacters that teaches a

moral lesson.

falling action

The action that occurs afterthe climax of a work of

literature.

fantasy

Literature that containscharacters and a plotinvolving magic andinvented characters.

A light humorous play.

figurative language

Language that containsmany poetic devices; a wayof saying something otherthan the literal meaning of

words.82b

first person point of view

A POV in which an "I" or"we" serves as a narrator of

a piece of literature.

flashback

The presentation of a scenethat takes place before the

present in a work ofliterature.

flat character

A minor character who haslittle depth of personality.

A character that contrastswith and reveals various

aspects of the maincharacter's personality.

foreshadowing

A hint of things to come.

The structure of a piece ofwriting.

formal essay

An essay that usesacademic language, logicalorganization, and serious

purpose.89b

formal language

The use of "high" languageor dialect in preference to"low" language or dialect;

academic language90b

frame story

Employs a narrative techniquewhereby an introductory main storyis composed, at least in part, for thepurpose of setting the stage for afictive narrative or organizing a set ofshorter stories, each of which is astory within a story.

free verse

A poem that has nolimitations in its use of

meter or rhyme.

A category of literary work-horror, comedy, tragedy,chick lit., pastoral, etc.

graphic text

A combination of picturesand words to tell a story.

The central character of astory, usually possessespositive qualities (as opposedto a protagonist who can bepositive or negative).

historical reference

A reference to somethinghistorical.

hyperbole

Obvious and intentionalexaggeration.

iambic pentameter

A common meter in poetryconsisting of an unrhymed linewith five feet or accents, eachfoot containing an unaccentedsyllable and an accentedsyllable.

An expression whose meaning isnot predictable from the usualmeanings of its constituentelements or from thegrammatical rules of a language.

Concrete details andfigures of speech that help

the reader to form vividsense impressions of what

is being described.100b

imagery

Representation throughlanguage of sense experience.Most often suggests a mentalpicture, but may also represent asound, smell, taste, or tacticalexperience.

indeterminate ending

Literature with anuncertain ending or wheresome problem or conflictmay remain undecided.

indirect presentation

The writer presents thecharacter in action, allowingthe reader to draw his or herown conclusions about thepersonality of that character.

informal essay

An essay that does not followthe restrictions of a formalpaper. Personal pronounsand casual, spoken languageare acceptable.

informal language

The casual language we useevery day.

interior monologue

A type of stream ofconsciousness that depicts

the inner thoughts of acharacter.

internal conflict

The problem or strugglethat takes place in the maincharacter's minds (person

vs. self).107b

internal rhyme

Rhyme which comes withinlines.

A literary device whichreveals concealed or

contradictory meanings.

jargon

Language especially thevocabulary peculiar to a

particular trade,profession, or group.

juxtaposition

An act or instance ofplacing close together or

side by side, especially forcomparison or contrast.

legend

A story handed down fromthe past about a specific

person, usually someone ofheroic accomplishments.

limited omniscient point ofview

Author tells the story in thirdperson, but from the viewpointof a single character. Thethoughts and feelings of othercharacters are not shown.

literal language

What is said is basedexactly in reality withoutthe comparisons used in

figurative language.114b

Any short poem intendedmainly to express a state of

mind or feeling.

melodrama

A dramatic form characterizedby excessive sentiment,exaggerated emotion,sensational and thrilling action,and an artificially happy ending.

metaphor

A comparison between twothings which are essentiallydissimilar. Usually impliedrather than directly stated.

Any regular pattern ofrhythm based on stressedand unstressed syllables.

monologue

An extended speech by oneperson.

The overall emotionalatmosphere of a scene or

situation.

mystery

A suspense story whichcontains a crime and asolution by a detective.

Applies particularly to a storyconnected with the religion of aprimitive civilization. Usually aboutgods or superhuman beings andare invented to explain certainbeliefs or some aspect of nature.

narration

The telling of a story.

narrative

The story or account itself.

narrator

The person telling thestory.

objective (language, tone,etc.)

Not about the thoughts ofthe speaker or writer;

giving the facts as they arewithout bias.

objective point of view

The narrator knows onlywhat can be heard and seen

from outside thecharacters' thoughts and

emotions.127b

octave

An eight line stanza.

A lyric poem of somelength, serious in subject

and dignified in style.

omniscient point of view

God-like scope; able toenter the mind of any

character at any time toreveal his thoughts,feelings, and beliefs.

onomatopoeia

The use of words whichsound like what they mean.

oxymoron

Two contradictory wordsplaced side by side foremphasis (ex. jumbo

shrimp).132b

paradox

A statement in which thereis an apparent

contradiction which isactually true.

parallelism

A repetition of sentencesusing the same structure.

parody

A work designed to ridiculethe style and substance of

another literary work.

passive voice

The subject of the sentenceis neither a do-er or a be-er,but is acted upon by someother agent or by somethingunnamed.

pastoral

A literary work that has todo with shepherds and

rustic settings.

pathos

Occurs when the audienceexperiences the emotions

of pity, tenderness, orsorrow.

personal essay

A first person narrative.

personification

Giving humancharacteristics to an

animal, object, or idea.

persuasive essay

An essay designed toconvince a reader of awriter's point of view.

persuasive technique

Strategies employed (suchas emotional appeal or

bias) to convince a readerof a writer's point of view.

The story line ororganization of incidents ina story. Consists of episodesand conflict, usually has arising and falling action.

point of view

Who tells the story andhow the story gets told.

pro and con argument

Expressing arguments thatare both for and against a

position.

prologue

An introductory speech orwritten passage at the start

of a work of literature.

propaganda

Biased writing withextreme examples meant to

sway an audience to acertain POV.

protagonist

The main character.

proverb

A phrase, describing anexample of a basic truth

that is transferred tocommon situations.

A joke or type of wordplay inwhich similar senses or soundsof two words or phrases, ordifferent senses of the sameword, are deliberately confused.

purpose

What the writer is trying toachieve through the

writing.

quatrain

A four lined stanza that canbe rhymed or unrhymed.

question and answer

The process of raising aquestion while reading in

an effort to understandcharacters and events.

refrain

A line or lines that arerepeated in music or verse.

repetition

When a specific word orphrase is used several times

to emphasize a particularidea.

research

Close, careful study usingvarious sources of a topic.

resolution

The part of a work ofliterature that occurs afterthe climax and ties up any

loose ends.157b

rhetorical question

A literary technique thatinvolves asking a questionthat has an obvious answer

that does not need to beanswered.

The repetition of similar orduplicate sounds at regularintervals, usually the repetitionof the terminal sounds ofwords at the ends of lines.

rhyme scheme

The pattern of rhyme;traditionally marked byassigning letters of thealphabet to each rhymingsound at the end of each line.

rhythm

A pattern of stressed andunstressed sounds in

poetry.

rising action

The events that lead up tothe climax in a work of

literature.

round character

A many-sided characterthat does not always act

predictably.

sarcasm

Crudely mocking orcontemptuous language; a

form of verbal irony.

satire

A form of literature thatridicules some aspect ofhuman behavior, customs,or attitude in an attempt tobring about change.

sestet

A six line poem or stanza.

setting

The time, place, and moodof a work of literature.

simile

When something isdescribed by comparing itto something else, using

like, than or as (ex. "He ranlike a monkey.").

situational irony

Refers to a contrastbetween what a characteror the reader expects to

happen in a situation andwhat really happens.

A type of informal verbalcommunication that is

generally unacceptable forformal writing.

soliloquy

A dramatic conversationthrough which a character,alone onstage, utters his or

her thoughts aloud.171b

sonnet

A 14 line poem usuallywritten in iambic

pentameter; can beShakespearean or Italian

speaker

The "voice" used by anauthor to tell a story or

speak a poem.

stanza

A "paragraph" in poetry.

static character

A character who does notchange throughout a work;the reader's knowledge of

the character also does notgrow.

statistical evidence

The use of factual numbersto support an argument.

stereotype

A conventional, formulaic,and oversimplified concept,

opinion, or image.

stock/stereotypedcharacter

A one-dimensionalcharacter that possessed

stereotyped qualitiesrelating to gender, class, or

ethnicity.178b

story within a story

A literary device in whichone story is told during the

action of another story.

stream of consciousness

A running or flowing way acharacter or narratorexpresses his or her

feelings and inner-mostthoughts.

The characteristics of anauthor's writing.

stylistic technique

The techniques used by anauthor in his or her writing.

subjective (language, tone,etc.)

Language that can beinterpreted in differentways depending on the

reader.183b

surprise ending

An ending that is meant toshock the reader.

suspense

A state or condition of mentaluncertainty or excitement, as inawaiting a decision or outcome,usually accompanied by adegree of apprehension oranxiety.

symbol

An object that representssomething more than its

literal definition.

symbolism

The use of symbols toconvey meaning.

synecdoche

A figure of speech in whicha part is used to represent

the whole (ex. All hands ondeck.).

A unifying or dominantidea in a story usually

implied rather than directlyused.

thesis

The main argument of anessay.

thesis statement

A statement that presentsthe main argument of an

essay.

third person point of view

The point of view thatrelates action through "he"

and "she".

The author's implicitattitude towards the readeror the places, people, and

events in a work ofliterature.

tragedy

A work of literature thatfeatures a catastrophic fall

from grace of itsprotagonist.

understatement

The opposite of hyperbole;the purposeful saying ofless than what is meant.

verbal irony

The use of words wherewhat is said is different and

often opposite of what ismeant.

The dominating tone of aliterary work, not always

identifiable with the actualviews of the author.

Intellectually amusingstatements.

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