LITERARY TERMSNotecards

Abstract

An style (in writing) that is typically complex, discusses intangible qualities like good and evil, and seldom uses examples to support its points

Ad Hominem

(of an argument or reaction) arising from or appealing to the emotions and not reason or logic.

Allegory

A story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself.

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds.

Allusion

A reference to another work or famous figure.

Analogy

a comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

Anaphora

The term “anaphora” comes from the Greek for “a carrying up or back," and refers to a type of parallelism created when successive phrases or lines begin with the same words, often resembling a litany. The repetition can be as simple as a single word or as long as an entire phrase.

“And needy nothing trimm’d in jollity,And purest faith unhappily forsworn,And gilded honour shamefully misplac’d,And maiden virtue rudely strumpeted,And right perfection wrongfully disgrac’d,And strength by limping sway disabledAnd art made tongue-tied by authority,And folly--doctor-like--controlling skill,And simple truth miscall’d simplicity,And captive good attending captain ill:Tir’d with all these, from these would I be gone,Save that, to die, I leave my love alone.”

Anecdote

a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

Antecedent

a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another.

"some antecedents to the African novel might exist in Africa's oral traditions"

Antithesis

a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.

Appeal to authority

In informal reasoning, the appeal to authority is a form of argument attempting to establish a statistical syllogism. The appeal to authority relies on an argument of the form: A is an authority on a particular topic. A says something about that topic.

Argument

An argument is the main statement of a poem, an essay, a short story, or a novel that usually appears as an introduction or a point on which the writer will develop his work in order to convince his readers.

Literature does not merely entertain. It also intends to shape the outlook of the readers. Therefore, an argument does not intend to serve only as an introduction but it attracts the reader’s focus to an issue that will be made clear gradually.

Attitude

A writer's attitude toward his subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization.

Authorial persona

When composing a work of fiction, the author may or may not mention him or herself, for example something like "I want to tell you about a strange experience I had..." and when an author does that, the author usually is not being autobiographical, but has invented a character to use as the narrator; this character is the authorial persona, which is to say, the identity being presented as the author.

Balance

Constructing a sentence so that both halves are about the same length and importance. Sentences can be unbalanced to serve a special effect as well.

Begging the question

means "assuming the conclusion (of an argument)", a type of circular reasoning. This is an informal fallacy where the conclusion that one is attempting to prove is included in the initial premises of an argument, often in an indirect way that conceals this fact.[1

The term "begging the question" originated in the 16th century as a mistranslation of Latin petitio principii "assuming the initial point".[2] In modern vernacular usage, "to beg the question" is sometimes used to mean "to raise the question" (as in "This begs the question of whether...") or "to dodge the question".[2]

Card stacking

is a propaganda technique that seeks to manipulate audience perception of an issue by emphasizing one side and repressing another.[1] Such emphasis may be achieved through media bias or the use of one-sided testimonials, or by simply censoring the voices of critics. The technique is commonly used in persuasive speeches by political candidates to discredit their opponents and to make themselves seem more worthy.[2]

Character

An individual (usually a person) in a narrative (usually a work of fiction or creative nonfiction). The act of presenting a character in writing is known as characterization.

Claim

It Is The Evidence The Author Gives To Support His Side

Climax

1. Arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of ascending power.

Colloquial

  used in or characteristic of familiar and informal conversation; also :  unacceptably informal

b :  using conversational style

Colon/semi-colon

One common use of the colon is to introduce a list of items. For example:

To make the perfect jam sandwich you need three things: some bread, butter and strawberry jam.

The most common use of the semicolon is to join together two clauses that could each be separate sentences — creating a longer sentence. For example:

John calls it football; Sam calls it soccer.

Concrete diction

Language that describes qualities that can be perceived with the five senses as opposed to using abstract or generalized language. For instance, calling a fruit "pleasant" or "good" is abstract, while calling a fruit "cool" or "sweet" is concrete. The preference for abstract or concrete imagery varies from century to century. Philip Sidney praised concrete imagery in poetry in his 1595 treatise, Apologie for Poetrie

Conditional (verbs)

Conditional verbs are used to create conditional sentences. Of course, there are other words which contribute to making a sentence conditional, but the verb tenses are key. The auxiliary verbs like can/could, will/would, and might are also key. Conditional verbs can be used in past, present or future tense.

Comic relief

is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene, or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension.

Conflict

Is an inherent incompatibility between the objectives of two or more characters or forces. Conflict creates tension and interest in a story by adding doubt as to the outcome. A narrative is not limited to a single conflict. While conflicts may not always resolve in narrative, the resolution of a conflict creates closure, which may or may not occur at a story's end.

Connective Tissue

Those elements that help create coherence in a written piece

Connotation

an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.

"the word “discipline” has unhappy connotations of punishment and repression"

Deduction

A method of reasoning from the general to the specific.

In a deductive argument, a conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises. (Contrast with induction.)

In logic, a deductive argument is called a syllogism. In rhetoric, the equivalent of the syllogism is the enthymeme.

Denotation

Denotation is generally defined as literal or dictionary meanings of a word in contrast to its connotative or associated meanings.Let us try to understand this term with the help of an example. If you search for meaning of the word “dove” in a dictionary, you will see that its meaning is “a type of pigeon, a wild and domesticated bird having a heavy body and short legs.” In literature, however, you frequently see “dove” referred to as a symbol of peace.

Dialect

The language used by the people of a specific area, class, district or any other group of people. The term dialect involves the spelling, sounds, grammar and pronunciation used by a particular group of people and it distinguishes them from other people around them. Dialect is a very powerful and common way of characterization, which elaborates the geographic and social background of any character.

Diction

Diction can be defined as style of speaking or writing determined by the choice of words by a speaker or a writer.

Diction or choice of words separates good writing from bad writing. It depends on a number of factors. Firstly, the word has to be right and accurate. Secondly, words should be appropriate to the context in which they are used. Lastly, the choice of words should be such that the listener or readers understand easily. Besides, proper diction or proper choice of words is important to get the message across. On the contrary, the wrong choice of words can easily divert listeners or readers which results in misinterpretation of the message intended to be conveyed.

Didactic

Didacticism is a term that refers to a particular philosophy in art and literature that emphasizes the idea that different forms of art and literature ought to convey information and instructions along with pleasure and entertainment.

The word didactic is frequently used for those literary texts which are overloaded with informative or realistic matter and are marked by the omission of graceful and pleasing details. Didactic, therefore, becomes a derogatory term referring to the forms of literature that are ostentatiously dull and erudite. However, some literary texts are entertaining as well as didactic.

Dominant element

the dominant impression unifies and organizes the essay. It informs the reader of the author's angle and it creates a lens through which the reader sees the rest of the essay.

Double entendre

is a figure of speech or a particular way of wording that is devised to be understood in either of two ways, having a double meaning. Typically one of the interpretations is rather obvious whereas the other is more subtle. The more subtle of the interpretations may convey a message that would be socially awkward, sexually suggestive or offensive to state directly. (The Oxford English Dictionary describes a double entendre as being used to "convey an indelicate meaning".)

Ellipsis

the omission from speech or writing of a word or words that are superfluous or able to be understood from contextual clues.

a set of dots indicating an ellipsis.

Epigraph

An epigraph is a literary device in the form of a poem, quotation or sentence usually placed at the beginning of a document or a simple piece having a few sentences but which belongs to another writer. An epigraph can serve different purposes such as it can be used as a summary, introduction, an example, or an association with some famous literary works, so as to draw comparison or to generate a specific context to be presented in the piece.

Ethos

is a Greek word meaning "character" that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology. The Greeks also used this word to refer to the power of music to influence its hearer's emotions, behaviours, and even morals.

Euphemism

a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Euphony

The literary device euphony is derived from the Greek word “euphonos” that means sweet-voiced. It can be defined as the use of words and phrases that are distinguished as having a wide range of noteworthy melody or loveliness in the sounds they create. It gives pleasing and soothing effects to the ears due to repeated vowels and smooth consonants. It can be used with other literary devices like alliteration, assonance and rhyme to create more melodic effects. Examples of euphony are commonly found in poetry and literary prose.

Evocation

If something is an evocation, it is something that evokes an action etc, - a calling forth usually a spirit or calling forth old memories

Exposition

Exposition is a literary device used to introduce background information about events, settings, characters etc. to the audience or readers. The word comes from the Latin language and its literal meaning is “a showing forth.” Exposition is crucial to any story, for without it nothing makes sense.

Extended metaphor

also known as a conceit or sustained metaphor, is when an author exploits a single metaphor or analogy at length through multiple linked vehicles, tenors, and grounds.

Figurative language

uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation. When a writer uses literal language, he or she is simply stating the facts as they are.

Flashback

interruptions that writers do to insert past events in order to provide background or context to the current events of a narrative. By using flashbacks, writers allow their readers to gain insight into a character’s motivation and provide a background to a current conflict. Dream sequences and memories are methods used to present flashbacks.

Focal point

What the eye is drawn to first when you view an image. By making an object the focal point, you’re highlighting its importance.

Form

he "shape" or organizational mode of a particular poem. In most poems (like sonnets), the form consists of a set number of lines, a set rhyme scheme, and a set meter for each line. In concrete poetry, the form of a poem may reflect the theme, topic, or idea of the words in the actual shape of the text on a piece of paper. In the free verse or open-form poetry common to the modernist and postmodernist movements, the rigid constraints of form are often discarded in order to achieve a variety of effects.

Generalization

the abstraction of a general idea, principle, or pattern from the observation of particular objects, events, or experiences.  A statement that is broad enough to cover or describe characteristics that are common to a variety of particular objects, events, or experiences.Example: We generalize that a person is honest if, under a variety of specific circumstances and temptations, he or she behaves in an honorable manner.

Hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Image

Directly related to imagery. The image that is described by the author.

Imagery

means to use figurative language to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses.

Induction

is known as a conclusion reached through reasoning. An inductive statement is derived using facts and instances which lead to the formation of a general opinion. Though all the facts upon which the conclusion is based are true, there is still a chance of the conclusion reached being false. This type of reasoning goes from specific facts to a general statement.

Inference

is a literary device used commonly in literature and in daily life where logical deductions are made based on premises assumed to be true. Another definition of inference suggests that it is rational but non-logical, which means that through the observation of facts presented in a particular pattern, one ultimately sees different or new interpretations and perspectives.

Invective

Verbally abusive attack

Juxtaposition

is a literary technique in which two or more ideas, places, characters and their actions are placed side by side in a narrative or a poem for the purpose of developing comparisons and contrasts.

Irony

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

Situational, Dramatic, Verbal

Linguistic

The study of the nature, structure, and variation of language, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, and pragmatics.

Litote

Litotes, derived from a Greek word meaning “simple”, is a figure of speech which employs an understatement by using double negatives or, in other words, positive statement is expressed by negating its opposite expressions.

For example, using the expression “not too bad” for “very good” is an understatement as well as a double negative statement that confirms a positive idea by negating the opposite. Similarly, saying “She is not a beauty queen,” means “She is ugly” or saying “I am not as young as I used to be” in order to avoid saying “I am old”. Litotes, therefore, is an intentional use of understatement that renders an ironical effect.

Logic

the science that investigates the principles governing correct or reliable inference.

2. a particular method of reasoning or argumentation: We were unable to follow his logic.

Loaded words

refers to words, phrases, and overall verbal and written communication that is intended to inspire emotion in the reader or listener. This usage of language to appeal to emotion is used in everyday conversation and is often used by politicians, public figures, advertisers and corporations. 

Logical fallacy

A formal fallacy is a pattern of reasoning that is always wrong. This is due to a flaw in the logical structure of the argument which renders the argument invalid. The presence of a formal fallacy in a deductive argument does not imply anything about the argument's premises or its conclusion.

Logos

is a literary device that can be defined as a statement, sentence or argument used to convince or persuade the targeted audience by employing reason or logic. In everyday life, arguments depend upon pathos and ethos besides logos. Logos mostly employs the utilization of inductive and deductive reasoning methods to be effective. There are many examples of logos in literature and in debates.

Metaphor

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

Metonymy

the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant, for example suit for business executive, or the track for horse racing.

Monologue

in literature and drama, an extended speech by one person. The term has several closely related meanings. A dramatic monologue is any speech of some duration addressed by a character to a second person. A soliloquy is a type of monologue in which a character directly addresses an audience or speaks his thoughts aloud while alone or while the other actors keep silent. In fictional literature, an interior monologue is a type of monologue that exhibits the thoughts, feelings, and associations passing through a character’s mind.

Motif

is a recurrent image, idea or a symbol that develops or explains a theme while a theme is a central idea or message.

Narrator

a person who narrates something, especially a character who recounts the events of a novel or narrative poem.

Negative space

may be most evident when the space around a subject, and not the subject itself, forms an interesting or artistically relevant shape, and such space is occasionally used to artistic effect as the "real" subject of an image

Non sequitor

:  an inference that does not follow from the premises; specifically :  a fallacy resulting from a simple conversion of a universal affirmative proposition or from the transposition of a condition and its consequent

:  a statement (as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said

Onomatopoeia

the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g., cuckoo, sizzle ).

Pacing

Pacing, as it applies to fiction, could be described as the manipulation of time. Though pacing is often overlooked and misunderstood by beginning writers, it is one of the key craft elements a writer must master to produce good fiction.

Parable

a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson. a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like.

Parallelism

is the use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same; or similar in their construction, sound, meaning or meter. Parallelism examples are found in literary works as well as in ordinary conversations.

Paradox

is from the Greek word “paradoxon” that means contrary to expectations, existing belief or perceived opinion. It is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly but may include a latent truth.

Parody

a work in which the style of an author is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule.

Pathos

The quality or power in an actual life experience or in literature, music, speech, or other forms of expression, of evoking a feeling of pity or compassion.

Pedantic

an adjective that describes words, phrases or general tone that is overly scholarly,academic or bookish.

Periodic Sentence

Presents its main clause at the end of the sentence for emphasis and sentence variety/phrases, dependent clauses precede the main clause

Personification

a figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inatimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.

Persuasion

The use of appeals to reasons, values, beliefs, and emotions to convince a listener or reader to think or act in a particular way.

Plot

is a literary term defined as the events that make up a story, particularly as they relate to one another in a pattern, in a sequence, through cause and effect, how the reader views the story, or simply by coincidence.

Point of view

is the angle of considering things which shows us the opinion or feelings of the individuals involved in a situation. In literature, point of view is the mode of narration that an author employs to let the readers “hear” and “see” what takes place in a story, poem, essay etc.

Pun

is a play on words in which a humorous effect is produced by using a word that suggests two or more meanings or by exploiting similar sounding words having different meanings.

Post hoc

In or of the form of an argument in which one event is asserted to be the cause of a later event simply by virtue of having happened earlier: coming to conclusions post hoc; post hoc reasoning.

Reductio ad absurdum

Is used in creating a comic effect/also an argumentative technique; reduces argument to an either/ or argument

Qualifier

and intensifiers are words or phrases that are added to another word to modify its meaning, either by limiting it (He was somewhat busy) or by enhancing it (The dog was very cute).

Red herring

is used to refer to something that misleads or distracts from the relevant or important issue. It may be either a logical fallacy or a literary device that leads readers or characters towards a false conclusion.

Rhetoric

is technique of using language effectively and persuasively in spoken or written form. It is an art of discourse, which studies and employs various methods to convince, influence or please an audience.

Rhetorical question

may have an obvious answer but the questioner asks rhetorical questions to lay emphasis to the point. In literature, a rhetorical question is self-evident and used for style as an impressive persuasive device.

Sarcasm

is derived from French word sarcasmor and also from a Greek word sarkazein that means “tear flesh” or “grind the teeth”. Somehow, in simple words it means to speak bitterly. Generally, the literal meaning is different than what the speaker intends to say through sarcasm. Sarcasm is a literary and rhetorical device that is meant to mock with often satirical or ironic remarks with a purpose to amuse and hurt someone or some section of society simultaneously. For instance:

Satire

the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc. a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule.

Setting

in literature, the location and time frame in which the action of a narrative takes place.

Simile

a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, as in “she is like a rose.” Compare metaphor. an instance of such a figure of speech or a use of words exemplifying it.

Stanza

an arrangement of a certain number of lines, usually four or more, sometimes having a fixed length, meter, or rhyme scheme, forming a division of a poem.

Stereotype

A character who is so ordinary or unoriginal that the character seems like an oversimplified representation of a type, gender, class, religious group, or occupation. Cf. stock character, below.

Structure

the relationship or organization of the component parts of a work of art or literature: the structure of a poem.

Style

in literature is the literary element that describes the ways that the author uses words — the author's word choice, sentence structure, figurative language, and sentence arrangement all work together to establish mood, images, and meaning in the text.

Subordinate clause

A group of words that has both a subject and a verb but (unlike an independent clause) cannot stand alone as a sentence. Also known as a dependent clause. Contrast with coordinate clause.

Syllogism

“All men are human; all humans are mortal; therefore all men are mortal.” syllogism. Form of argument that, in its most commonly discussed instances, has two categorical propositions as premises and one categorical proposition as conclusion.

Symbol

is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense.

Symbolism can take different forms. Generally, it is an object representing another to give it an entirely different meaning that is much deeper and more significant. Sometimes, however, an action, an event or a word spoken by someone may have a symbolic value. For instance, “smile” is a symbol of friendship. Similarly, the action of someone smiling at you may stand as a symbol of the feeling of affection which that person has for you.

Synecdoche

figure of speech in which a part represents the whole, as in the expression “hired hands” for workmen or, less commonly, the whole represents a part, as in the use of the word “society” to mean high society.

Syntax

is a set of rules in a language, which shows and how different parts of sentence are put together in such an order that it conveys a complete thought. Syntax and Diction. Syntax and diction are closely related.

Testimonial

a written declaration certifying to a person's character, conduct, or qualifications, or to the value, excellence, etc., of a thing; a letter or written statement of recommendation.

Theme

is defined as a main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work which may be stated directly or indirectly. Major and Minor Themes. There are two types of themes that appear in literary works i.e. major and minor.

Thesis

s a statement in a non-fiction or a fiction work that a writer intends to support and prove.

One can find examples of thesis statement at the beginning of literary pieces. These thesis statemets are of utmost importance, as they serve as clear indicators as to which directions writers will follow in their work.

Tone

in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject.

Transition

are words and phrases which provide a connection between ideas, sentences and paragraphs. Transitions help to make a piece of writing flow better. They can turn disconnected pieces of ideas into a unified whole and prevent a reader from getting lost in the reading.

Understatement

is a figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is. For example, you win 10 million dollars in a lottery.

Voice

is the individual writing style of an author, a combination of idiotypical usage of syntax, diction, punctuation, character development, dialogue, etc., within a given body of text (or across several works). Voice can be thought of in terms of the uniqueness of a vocal voice machine.

Warrant

usually consists of a specific span of text which relates directly to the argument being made. To use a well-worn example, the datum 'Harry was born in Bermuda' supports the claim 'Harry is a British subject' via the warrant 'Persons born in Bermuda are British subjects.'"