Literary devices and terms definitions and examples litcharts. When such works are read by readers, they ultimately recognize and appreciate these literary structures. The concise oxford dictionary of literary terms chris baldick is professor of english at goldsmiths college, university of london. The literal or dictionary meaning of a word, phrase, or clause. This is a more direct and preferred style of writing in most cases. Reading and literature a glossary of literary terms 1 a glossary of literary terms literary devices alliteration. The five act structure was originally introduced in roman times and became the convention. The reading strategies and literary elements booklet is composed of reproducible lessons and exercises. Literary devices are the tools writers use to bring literature to life. Epithets are remarkable in that they become a part of common parlance over time. Glossary of literary and rhetorical devices all definitions are from the bedford glossary of critical and literary terms except as noted murfin. Both literary elements and literary techniques can rightly be called literary devices. Youve been inactive for a while, logging you out in a few seconds.
Welcome to the website dedicated to literary devices literary terms. Concise definitions, usage tips, and lots of examples for 6 literary devices and terms. Glossary of literary terms adagea familiar proverb or wise saying allegorya literary work in which characters, objects, or actions represent abstractions p allusiona reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize analogya compari. Both literary elements and literary techniques can. Glossary of rhetorical terms ap english language and. As an adjective applied to writing or literary works, abstract refers to words or phrases that name things not knowable through the five senses.
Literary terms diagnostic each term will be used only once,so cross out the words as you go. An analogy is a literary device that helps to establish a relationship based on similarities between two concepts or ideas. The following vocabulary list represents just a few of the most common literary devices. Allegory presentation of an abstract idea through more concrete means. This dictionarys virtues and its plainspokenness make it. Based on a dictionary of modern critical terms, edited by. In literature, any technique used to help the author achieve his or her purpose is called a literary device. Ap glossary of lit and rhetorical terms 1 ap language and. Most definitions and examples herein were written by mr. Litotes is an understatement in which a positive statement is expressed by negating its opposite. The classic example of litotes is the phrase not bad.
Anastrophe is a form of literary device wherein the order of the noun and the adjective in the sentence is exchanged. A denotation of writing is the representation of ideas through a uniform, symbolic system. An epithet is a literary device that is used as a descriptive device. Each example means the house is big but a different literary device is used to express that the house is big. The adjective comes before the noun, but when one is employing an anastrophe, the noun is. This term traditionally referred to such literary devices as simile, metaphor, and personi. Literary devices everything you need to know to analyze figurative language in poetry, drama, literature, speeches, etc. An allegory generally teaches a lesson by means of an interesting story. Below is a list of literary devices, most of which youll often come across in both prose and poetry. Clemente k e y match the terms listed in section a with the definitions listed in section b by writing the number from section b on the line provided next to the number of the term in section a.
General literary terminology the following terms describe the different types and elements of literature. Lord of the flies alliteration repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together. This article will show you the importance of genre and how to use it. Get a quickreference pdf with concise definitions of all 6 lit terms we cover. Each exercise contains two or three passages and a. Literary devices and literary terms the complete list. Hardebeck, while some were gleaned from a vast range of print and internet resources. A genre is a category of literature identified by form, content, and style. Plausible action is action by a character in a story that seems reasonable, given the motivations presented. Glossary of rhetorical terms ap english language and composition figure of speech a device used to produce figurate language. Flashforward a plotstructuring device inserting a scene from the fictional future into the fictional present. The use of euphony is predominant in literary prose and poetry, where poetic devices such as alliteration, rhyme and assonance are used to create pleasant sounds. Davidson literary devices, techniques, and elements literary devices, techniques, and elements a literary device is any specific aspect of literature, or a particular work, which we can recognize, identify, interpret andor analyze. A genre of literary work featuring strange settings and characters and often involving magic or the supernatural.
The most common literary devices used in literature 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. Failure to do this project will have a serious adverse effect on the final grade in this class. Allegory is a derivative of the greek allegoria, meaning to imply something else. 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 devices refers to the typical structures used by writers in their works to convey his or her messages in a simple manner to the readers. Context can be thought of as the physical or notional circumstances surrounding a word, phrase, or idea.
This list is by no means comprehensive, but instead offers a primer to the language frequently used by scholars and students researching literary works. Typically, these devices are used for an aesthetic purpose that is, theyre intended to make the piece more beautiful. Glossary of rhetorical terms ap english language and composition conceit a fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. It is usually used to add to a person or places regular name and attribute some special quality to the same. The routledge dictionary of literary terms the routledge dictionary of literary termsis a twentyfirst century update of roger fowlers seminal dictionary of modern critical terms. An allegory is a symbolic device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract concept is. However, there may be some terms or concepts that are not included in the lessons but appear on the test. If this seems like a loose definition, dont worryit is. Venice high school student handbook of literary terms. The most common literary devices used in literature. As a literary device, epiphany is the moment when a character is suddenly struck with a lifechanging, enlightening revelation or realization which changes his or her perspective for the rest of the story. Literary terms project murrieta valley unified school district. Abstract terms and statements describe ideas or refer to general. By using an analogy we can convey a new idea by using the blueprint of an old one as a basis for understanding.
Literature, drama, music, and ballet are termed aesthetic arts. Below is a list of literary devices with detailed definition and examples. Venice high school student handbook of literary terms abstract is the opposite of concrete. Language that uses figures of speech or literary devices to express ideas. The exercises are directly modeled after the endofgrade test. Literary terms page 1 a p literary terms allegory story or poem in which characters, settings, and events stand for other people or events or for abstract ideas or qualities. Now that weve gone over why you should spend some time learning literary devices, lets take a look at some of the most important literary elements to know. Heideggers experiment can be interpreted as an allegory with each of the characters representing an abstract qualityfor. Literary terms included below is a list of literary terms that can help you interpret, critique, and respond to a variety of different written works.
A literary device in which action or language stands in contrast to what appears to be true or expected. Glossary of literary terms, page 2 of 4 figurative language figyeruhtiv langgwidj. Ap language and composition glossary of literary and. Used as a noun, the term refers to a short summary or outline of a longer work. 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. Literary devices are specific language techniques which writers use to create text that is clear, interesting, and memorable. The repetition of initial consonant sounds used especially in poetry to emphasize and link words as well as to create pleasing, musical sounds. Genres allow literary critics and students to classify compositions within the larger canon of literature. This list is by no means comprehensive, but instead offers a. Figures of speech include apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification. Bringing together original entries written by such celebrated theorists as terry eagleton and malcolm bradbury. Flashback a plotstructuring device inserting a scene from the fictional past into the fictional present. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
My mistress eyes are nothing like the sun allusion. Theme is the central message of a literary work, or the idea the author wishes to convey about that subject. Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. Allegory usually didactic meant to impart a lesson, an allegory is a kind of story in which abstract concepts such as love, war, or death became objects, characters, or places in the story. A p literary terms houston independent school district.
Reading and literature a glossary of literary terms. A conceit displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual. You can click on the term for a full explanation and quiz. The focus lessons provide a focused way of introducing specific literary concepts and reading strategies. Oxford dictionary of literary terms oxford reference. Literary terms project murrieta valley unified school. Fujii hardly had time to think that he was dying before he realized that he was alive. This can be used as a quiz or an exercise for students to identify different literary devices being used. Here you will find a list literary devices with definitions and examples. Check out our free literature glossary, with hundreds of literary terms written in easytounderstand language and boatloads of examples.
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