English II Literary Terms: List I Figurative Language- words or phrases that describe one thing in terms of another and are not meant to be understood on a literal level. o Literal- what is actually being said o Figurative- what is being implied or suggested Simile- makes a comparison between two seemingly unlike things by using a connective word such as like, as, than, or resembles. Metaphor- makes a comparison between two seemingly unlike things without using a connective word such as like, as, than, or resembles Personification- a kind of metaphor in which a nonhuman thing or quality is talked about as if it were human. Imagery- language that appeals to the senses, involves description and detail. Diction- a writer or speaker s choice of words o Denotation-the literal, dictionary definition of a word o Connotation- the meaning, association, or emotions a word suggests Repetition- the intentional repeating of a sound, word, phrase, line, or idea in order to create a particular effect. Alliteration- the repetition of consonant sounds in words that are close to one another. Hyperbole- an exaggeration used to express strong sentiments or create comic effect, sometimes called an overstatement. Symbol- a person, place, thing, or event that stands both for itself and something beyond itself. Theme- the central idea or insight of a work of literature.
English II Literary Terms: List II Mood- the overall emotion created by a work of literature Tone- the attitude a writer takes toward the reader, a subject, or a character. Purpose- author s intent or reason for writing a work Point of View- the vantage point from which a writer tells a story o Omniscient- the person telling the story is outside and knows everything going on in the story o First Person- the narrator is a character in the story, uses the pronouns I, we, us. o Third Person Limited- the narrator is outside of the story telling it from one character s perspective. Inference- a conclusion reached about things in a text based on evidence and reasoning stemming from it. Rhetoric- the use of language for persuasion. (Ethos, Pathos, Logos) Characterization- the process by which an author reveals the personality of a character o Direct- the writer tells reader what kind of person a character is o Indirect- readers use judgment from details given to determine character Synonym- a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase Antonym- a word opposite in meaning to another Irony- a contrast between expectation and reality: what is said and meant, what is expected and what occurs, what appears to be true and what really is true
English II Literary Terms: List I Directions: Using the Handbook of Literary Terms (pg 1176) located in your literature book, fill in the definitions of the following literary terms. Also, write an example for each to help remember each term. Term Definition Example Figurative Language Literal Meaning what is actually being said Don t be so down in the dumps! Literally: get out of the garbage can! Figurative Meaning what is being implied or suggested My ears were burning just now! Figuratively: People were talking about me. Simile Metaphor Personification Imagery
Term Definition Example Diction Connotation Denotation Repetition Alliteration Hyperbole Symbol Theme
English II Literary Terms: List II Directions: Using the Handbook of Literary Terms (pg 1176) located in your literature book, fill in the definitions of the following literary terms. Also, write an example for each to help remember each term. Term Definition Example Mood Tone Purpose author s intent or reason for writing a work Text: Erich Maria Remarque writes All Quiet on the Western Front which has a theme about how one can lose his innocence in war. Purpose: Point of View Omniscient First Person Third Person Limited
Term Definition Example Inference a conclusion reached about things in a text based on evidence and reasoning stemming from it. Situation: A man is lying in the gutter. Infer: Situation: A baby is crying. Infer: Rhetoric Characterization Indirect Characterization Direct Characterization Synonym a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase Angry: affronted, annoyed, antagonized, bitter, chafed, cross, displeased, enraged, exasperated Antonym a word opposite in meaning to another Angry: calm, collected, content, happy, joyful, joyous Irony