Literature Terms

Allegory* A narrative that serves as an extended metaphor. Allegories are written in the form of fables, parables, poems, stories, and almost any other style of genre. (Ex. Animal Farm by George Orwell).

Alliteration* The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables.

Ex: Peter Piper picked a pack of pickled peppers

Connotation* An association that comes along with a certain word. Connotations relate not to a word’s actual meaning, but rather to the ideas or qualities that are implied by that wordEx: Gold= greed, luxury, wealthDough/Paper= money

Denotation* The exact meaning of a word, without the feelings or suggestions that the word may imply.

Ex: Gold= malleable, ductile, yellow element versus= wealth, jewels

DynamicCharacter

* A character who changes throughout a story

Ex: Scrooge

Flashback* A narrative technique that allows a writer to present past events during current events, in order to provide background for the current narration

Foreshadowing* To present an indication or suggestion of beforehand

Hyperbole* A figure of speech in which exaggeration is sued for emphasis or effectEx: I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

ImageryThe use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas

Irony* Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occursEx: A police office getting a ticket on his/her day off or a fire station on fire

Metaphor* A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparisonEx: My mother is an angel

Mood* How the reader feels after or while reading a text

MotifA reoccurring subject or idea that helps to make up a larger theme

Onomatopoeia* The formation or use of words to imitate a soundEx: The ball went “shroosh” through the hoop

Personification* A figure of speech in which inanimate objects or abstractions are given human qualities My pillow dried my tears

Satire* A piece of literature designed to ridicule the subject of the work. While satire can be funny, its aim is not to amuse, but to arouse contempt.Ex: A Modest Proposal/ Swift

Simile* A comparison between two unlike things, using like or as Her teeth were as white as pearlsHe ran like a cheetah

Static Character* A character who does not change throughout a story

Symbolism* The practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships

Theme* An implicit or recurrent idea, a motif

Ex: coming of age, racism, overcoming obstacles, love conquers all

Tone* Expresses the author’s attitude towards his or her subject