literary terms to know
Allegory - the device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. In some allegories, for example, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom. The allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence.
Diction – author’s word choice
Connotation – the emotional, cultural, or suggested meaning thought of when hearing a word or phrase
Denotation – the literal meaning of a word
Metaphor -- a figure of speech or phrase that portrays one word as being equal to a second object in some way, essentially, a comparison of two unlike things; words, associations, and emotions from one context are associated with objects and entities in a different context
Simile - a comparison of two different things or ideas through the use of the words "like" or "as"
Hyperbole - is a figure of speech that uses an exaggerated or extravagant statement to create a strong emotional response. As a figure of speech it is not intended to be taken literally.
Understatement- a deliberate, sarcastic description representing its subject as less than he, she, or it really is.
Personification – the attribution of human characteristics to inanimate objects, natural forces, animals or ideals.
Apostrophe – addressing someone who is absent or dead or something nonhuman as if that person or thing were present and alive and could reply to what is being said.
Irony - Expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or forceful effect.
Allusion - a direct or indirect reference to a significant person, event, time or work of art
REPETITION
Anaphora: Deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect.
Ex: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” – Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities
Epiphora - a stylistic device in which a word or a phrase is repeated at the end of successive clauses.
Ex: Be round impaled with a glorious crown.
And yet I know not how to get the crown” – King Henry VI, Shakespeare
Why? - Often used for debates and persuasive writings. Appeals to the emotions of the audience in order to persuade them be courageous and motivated. It lends a unique rhythm to the text which consequently becomes a pleasurable experience for the readers.
Paradox – a statement that initially seems to contradict itself but, in fact, includes fundamental truth
Why? The value of paradox is its shock value. Its seeming impossibility startles the reader into attention and, by the fact of its apparent absurdity, underscores the truth of what is being said.
EX: “I must be cruel to be kind.” – William Shakespeare
Anecdote - Anecdote is defined as a short and interesting story or an amusing event often proposed
Diction – author’s word choice
Connotation – the emotional, cultural, or suggested meaning thought of when hearing a word or phrase
Denotation – the literal meaning of a word
Metaphor -- a figure of speech or phrase that portrays one word as being equal to a second object in some way, essentially, a comparison of two unlike things; words, associations, and emotions from one context are associated with objects and entities in a different context
Simile - a comparison of two different things or ideas through the use of the words "like" or "as"
Hyperbole - is a figure of speech that uses an exaggerated or extravagant statement to create a strong emotional response. As a figure of speech it is not intended to be taken literally.
Understatement- a deliberate, sarcastic description representing its subject as less than he, she, or it really is.
Personification – the attribution of human characteristics to inanimate objects, natural forces, animals or ideals.
Apostrophe – addressing someone who is absent or dead or something nonhuman as if that person or thing were present and alive and could reply to what is being said.
Irony - Expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or forceful effect.
Allusion - a direct or indirect reference to a significant person, event, time or work of art
REPETITION
Anaphora: Deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect.
Ex: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” – Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities
Epiphora - a stylistic device in which a word or a phrase is repeated at the end of successive clauses.
Ex: Be round impaled with a glorious crown.
And yet I know not how to get the crown” – King Henry VI, Shakespeare
Why? - Often used for debates and persuasive writings. Appeals to the emotions of the audience in order to persuade them be courageous and motivated. It lends a unique rhythm to the text which consequently becomes a pleasurable experience for the readers.
Paradox – a statement that initially seems to contradict itself but, in fact, includes fundamental truth
Why? The value of paradox is its shock value. Its seeming impossibility startles the reader into attention and, by the fact of its apparent absurdity, underscores the truth of what is being said.
EX: “I must be cruel to be kind.” – William Shakespeare
Anecdote - Anecdote is defined as a short and interesting story or an amusing event often proposed
