“Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something.” ~ Plato
Literary Terms American Literature
A sequence of repeated consonantal sounds in a stretch of language What word means… A sequence of repeated consonantal sounds in a stretch of language alliteration
What word is depicted below? (you can use all of your senses) imagery
What word explains this example… John says: “I am going north by bicycle, but she is coming south by car.” Rich says: “That is opposite” (Rick moves left on stage). Stage Directions
What word is a passing reference in a work of literature… allusion
What word means… a word, thing, or idea chosen for the purpose of comparison; it is also another word for a literary parallel (we did not review this word—try it) analogy
We are analyzing his word choice. diction “I have dream…”
The cat’s sounds are soft and gentle: meow! Think of the sounds!
“I’m so hungry I can eat a horse.” What word means… “I’m so hungry I can eat a horse.” hyperbole
What word is depicted below? simile The sailors were as strong as the ship.
What word means… Words which sound like the noise they describe—we didn’t review this word. Try it! onomatopoeia Bop, bop
Language that is literally true! What word deals with … Language that is literally true! Literal Language
Example Shakespeare remarks, “…love is the star to every wandering bark.” metaphor
What word means—these represent something else… symbol
The saxophone was crying last night. What word means… The saxophone was crying last night. personification
a central point in a story What word is … a central point in a story theme
What word is depicted below; this comedy is know for its…(this is a new word) parody
The contrast between appearance and reality What word means… The contrast between appearance and reality irony
What is this? Understatement It is the opposite of hyperbole. Creating emphasis by saying less than is actually true. “The reader might well pause here and recollect that it is traditional among robbers to steal escape vehicles, not to borrow them from friends.” Understatement
What word means… A play on words that often has a comic effect; the hungry gorilla went ape. pun
What word is depicted below? satire
What is … is a statement that seems to contradict itself but, is nevertheless, true. Ex:”The World’s on Fire” money is allocated for a music video can also feed a village. paradox
What is … it when the readers know more than the characters. Ex: We knew why Jim Carey could not tell a lie. Dramatic Irony
What is … A repetition of the same word or phrase e.g. “Mad world! Mad kings! Mad composition!” (William Shakespeare, King John, II, i) repetition
What is this? You just got a horrible haircut; however, everyone complements your new style. “I just love your new haircut!” Verbal irony
What is it … You expect the vacation to be wonderful; however, the opposite situation happens. It rains the entire vacation. Situational irony
What is …? the attitude a writer takes towards a subject: mean, rude, funny, etc. Tone
What is …? the villain, the hero, the warrior, the caretaker, the trickster, etc… archetype
What is …? a speech in which a character speaks thoughts aloud. The character is on the stage alone, not speaking to other characters. soliloquy
What is …? a rhymed pair of lines “I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow” (W. Blake) couplet
What is …? The repetition of one or more lines in each stanza of a poem (or lyrics) refrain
What is …? an indirect reference to another literary work or to a famous person (we already had this in the review) Ex: Lord of the Flies and the Simpsons allusion
Why is this film a tragedy? death
What is … A battle between two characters? conflict
What is this? “You are my dawg!”
Good Luck!