The distinctive way that a writer uses language including such factors as word choice, sentence length, arrangement, and complexity, and the use of figurative language and imagery. A p literary terms houston independent school district. A glossary of literary terms, seventh edition english literature. After more than twenty years in print, cuddons dictionary of literary terms and literary theory remains a superlative work of reference that rictionary be read for pleasure, just as it was acclaimed to be when first published in at kobo, we try to. The end result usually results in the reader having some form of an emotional response to the work. Break wind, the birds and the bees, and cold turkey are euphemisms for flatulence, sex and reproduction, and a quick, complete withdrawal from the use of an addictive substance, respectively. Elegy a poem of mourning, usually about someone who has died. In general they are techniques that help writers have a deeper impact on their readers. These techniques strengthen the affect of a writers work on students that take it in. Cuddons dictionary of literary terms page 439 offers the following example from hopkins poem spelt from sibyls leaves. Based on a dictionary of modern critical terms, edited by roger fowler. Barrie kenning a conventional metaphoric name for something, esp in old norse and old english poetry, such as old english banhus bone house for body kiddy lit lampoon a satire in prose or verse ridiculing a person, literary work, etc laurentian or lawrentian relating to or characteristic. Examples of abstracts include the cliffs notes summaries of major literary works. This is a more direct and preferred style of writing in most cases.
Literary devices and definitions introduction the origins of the word can be traced to the latin phrase prosa oratio or straight and unembellished speech. Previous article periods of english literature with authors and their works. A brief, often implicit and indirect reference within a literary text to something outside the text, whether another text e. Examples include, gullivers travels, the faerie queene, pilgrims progress, and paradise lost. Literary terms are devices used to make writing better. English classes are full of big words and terms that are easily confused by even the strongest student. As an adjective applied to writing or literary works, abstract refers to words or phrases that name things not knowable through the five senses. List of literary terms simple english wikipedia, the. Library of congress cataloging in publication data. Here is a list of some general literary terms and definitions that late middle school and early high school students should know, each with its own explanation. The terms have been collected and adapted from various sources, listed at the end of this document. Dialogue direct speech between characters in a literary work. A glossary of literary terms free pdf, doc, epub, txt.
This set of flashcards will help cement your knowledge of the literary terms used to study prose. This glossary of literary terms is a list of definitions of terms and concepts used in the discussion, classification, analysis, and criticism of all types of literature, such as poetry, novels, and picture books, as well as of grammar, syntax, and language techniques. A literary device in which a later event is inserted into a narrative. Break wind, the birds and the bees, and cold turkey are euphemisms for flatulence, sex and reproduction, and a quick, complete withdrawal from the use of an addictive substance, respectively the opposite of euphemism. The routledge dictionary of literary terms edited by peter childs and roger fowler. Oxford dictionary of literary terms oxford reference. Wheelers literature students, and it offers introductory survey information concerning the literature of classical china, classical rome, classical greece, the bible as literature, medieval literature, renaissance literature, and genre studies. An allegory suggests a hidden meaning via the use of metaphoric examples. Reading and literature a glossary of literary terms 2 style. In twains huckleberry finn, the duke is a caricature designed to satirize and create. Literary terms and definitions i carsonnewman college. A feeling of excitement, curiosity, or expectation about what will happen. Literary terms to know in seventh grade yourdictionary.
All terms will be discussed throughout the year and students are responsible for knowing every term listed in this packet for the final exam. As and alevel english language and literature glossary. Ela glossary of terms ohio department of education. English literature dictionary and glossary for students. Students benefit by learning these terms when they see the different types of figurative language repeated on television, in movies, and in their favorite books.
The concise oxford dictionary of literary terms chris baldick is professor of english at goldsmiths college, university of london. Literary terms refer to the technique, style, and formatting used by writers and speakers to masterfully emphasize, embellish, or strengthen their compositions. Three grey geese in a green field grazing, grey were the geese and green was the grazing. Literary devices and terms definitions and examples. Many of these terms are repeated through each successive year. Ap glossary of lit and rhetorical terms 1 ap language. Department staff selected some terms because we frequently received questions about these terms or related standards from the field. Euphemism is the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for an expression that is thought to be harsh, blunt, or offensive. The routledge dictionary of literary terms edited by. This webpage contains an alphabetical glossary of literary terms and their definitions.
Fiction any narrative, especially in prose, about invented or imagined characters and action. A glossary of literary terms hartford magnet trinity. Ap glossary of lit and rhetorical terms 1 ap language and. Chris baldick is professor of english at goldsmiths. Pdf ap spanish literature glossary of literary terms. He edited the oxford book of gothic tales 1992, and is the author of in frankensteins shadow 1987, criticism and literary theory 1890 to the present 1996, and other works of literary history.
Aug 04, sadia mansoor rated it really liked it shelves. Figurative language language that represents one thing in terms of something dissimilar nonliteral language. The exercises that follow each text will help you use the terms. This is a more direct and preferred style of writing in most.
Literary terms and definitions b carsonnewman college. Literary terms the following literary terms are featured in english 9 and coorespond to the literature therein. Welcome to its tutorial schools comprehensive source of definitions for terms related to english literature. For an author, fiction writing terms are important because they provide the tools necessary to make the most out of a literary. Bringing together original entries written by such celebrated theorists as terry eagleton and malcolm bradbury with new definitions of current terms and controversies, this is the essential. Images in literature are verbal evocations of the senses. The glossary presents a series of succinct essays in the alphabetic order of. The most common literary devices used in literature. When such works are read by readers, they ultimately recognize and appreciate these literary structures. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. A eulogy is great praise or commendation, a laudatory speech, often about someone who has died. All the key terms are highlighted in bold and explained in the glossary at the end of the worksheet.
The literal or dictionary meaning of a word, phrase, or clause. The york dictionary literary terms and their origin. Literary terms have a wide range of application, from the poets beauty, to the speakers persuasion, to the novelists story development. This term traditionally referred to such literary devices as simile. Literary devices and terms are the techniques and elementsfrom figures of speech to narrative devices to poetic metersthat writers use to create narrative literature, poetry, speeches, or any other form of writing. Caricature a representation of a character in which, in literature, his or her characteristics are exaggerated to produce a comic effect. It focuses particularly on the material i most frequently teach classical and medieval literature, the history of the english language, and science fiction narratives. A english part 1 past papers solved objective from uos. Literary terms and devices are a collection of universal artistic structures that are typical of all works of literature frequently employed by the writers to give meanings and a logical framework to their works through language. Literary terms gcserevision, english, examtips, literary. Included below is a list of literary terms that can help you interpret, critique, and respond to a.
This dictionary s virtues and its plainspokenness make it. From the syllables of a phrase to the individual letters of a word, any fraction can be jumbled to create a new form. This quizlet is to test students knowledge of the definitions of common literary devices. The bestselling oxford dictionary of literary terms formerly the concise dictionary provides clear, concise, and often witty definitions of the most troublesome literary terms from abjection to zeugma. This glossary is not meant to be a comprehensive contentarea list of literary terms or a list for students. However, the terms listed here are ones that students should have been taught in earlier grades or terms that might be introduced at this grade level.
Anagrams are an extremely popular form of literary device wherein the writer jumbles up parts of the word to create a new word. The action in hamlet, for example, simply begins with the guards visitation by the ghost and ends with the carrying out of the dead hamlet. Dr baldick is a brewer for specialized tastes times literary supplementthe bestselling oxford dictionary of literary terms formerly the concise dictionary provides clear, concise, and often witty definitions of the most troublesome literary terms from abjection to zeugma. Literary terms the routledge dictionary of literary termsis a twentyfirst century update of roger fowlers seminal dictionary of modern critical terms. In medias res a latin phrase denoting the literary and artistic narrative technique wherein the relation of a story begins either at the midpoint or at the conclusion, rather than at the beginning, establishing setting, character, and conflict via flashback and expository. Allusion a reference to something wellknown that exists outside the literary work the reference is often indirect and relies on audience knowledge and understanding. Try one of the apps below to open or edit this item. A worksheet of mixed up literary terms and their definitions. Literary terms and definitions carsonnewman college. Used as a noun, the term refers to a short summary or outline of a longer work. Literary devices and terms definitions and examples litcharts.
An allegory is a device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract moral or political concept is conveyed with the aid of more material objects or ideas being used as an example. English department glossary of common literary terms allegory. A brief biography of many well known authors has also been included. These help the writer tell a story or make a point. Some of the most commonly used literary devices are alliteration, simile, metaphor, imagery, irony, etc. Includes simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, and symbolism. Antagonist character that is the source of conflict in a literary work aside a dramatic device in which a character makes a short speech intended for the audience but not heard by the other. Literary terms and definitions made easy for middle and high. Didactic form of fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
In general, students should know the term and how the term applies in literary settings. Use as a quiz or test for students, or to create a glossary of terms. As and alevel english language and literature 7706 and 7707 introduction this document offers guidance on content that students might typically explore when working with the different levels of language analysis on the as and alevel english language and literature specifications, as well as providing definitions of some key terms. These terms will also be the source of questions related to the assigned short stories and their assessments. Alliteration is a literary term that means two or more words in a row that all start with the same sounds. It contains alphabetical lists of literary terms, the vocabulary of literature, the terminology of grammar, and entries on. Click on any of the 6 terms below to get a complete definition with lots of examples. Literary terms, in the literature form, can take on many different forms. They allow writers and speakers to make comments on society, politics, and trends. Home literary devices and definitions introduction the origins of the word can be traced to the latin phrase prosa oratio or straight and unembellished speech. Teachers introduce many literary terms for high school students early in their english classes.
Alastair fowler uses the following elements to define genres. Included on this page are basic terms like genre and mood, as well as connotation and denotation. A person or an animal who is part of the action of a literary work. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. Here, the preposition in, which would normally be unstressed, is artificially stressed by the poet, as is the ed in steeped. Literary terms are important in a wide variety of ways.
Themes in literature tend to differ depending on author, time period, genre, style, purpose, etc. Authors of literary text make use of what are called literary devices, in order to beautify the language of the text and convey meaning at the same time. The best way to learn these terms, or any definitions, is through active use in the classroom. Because the list is fairly lengthy, i have subdivided it into several pages. A genre of literary work featuring strange settings and characters and often involving magic or the supernatural. Elements of literature multiple choice test on 33 critical literature terms or story elements of literature that are important to student understanding of fiction texts, such as plot, theme, conflict, setting, etc. Guide to literary terms apostrophe a form of direct address spoken by a character to an inanimate object or a person who does not appear. Archaism the use of an older or obsolete word or phrase that is no longer recognized or popular in the. Plot includes the meaning and purpose of the events. An allegory generally teaches a lesson by means of an interesting story. Literary terms page 4 diction a speaker or writers choice of words. A way of communicating information in writing, images, or sound that conveys an attitude. It covers a wide range of terms, concepts and theories related to english literature. Although scribendi has an extensive glossary of general writing terms, this one is specific to fiction writing terms and is therefore geared toward authors and writers.
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