ENG 211 Literary Terms #2

A use of language, involving some kind of incongruity or discrepancy; a contradiction or
incongruity between appearance or expectation and reality; verbal irony is a contrast between
what is stated and what is more or less suggested. The statement in verbal irony is often negated
by its suggestions

Something that, although of interest in its own right, stands for or suggests something
larger and more complex - an idea or a range of interrelated ideas, attitudes, or practices

The writer’s or speaker’s attitude toward his subject, his audience, or himself; the
emotional coloring, or meaning, of a work

a reference, typically brief, to a person, place, thing, event, or other literary work with
which the reader is presumably familiar. As a literary device, allusion allows a writer to
compress a great deal of meaning and significance into a word or phrase

Repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive
clauses, sentences, or lines. Ex. “I came; I saw; I conquered."

a figure of speech in which someone absent or dead or something nonhuman is
addressed as if it were alive and present and could reply

repetition at close intervals of the vowel sounds of accented syllables or important
words.

A literary device in which a line of poetry carries its idea or thought over to the next line without a grammatical pause

A figure of speech in which an implicit comparison is made between two things
essentially unlike. Metaphor does NOT use words signifying comparison (i.e. “like”, “as”, etc.).
It is a comparison simply stated. Ex. This class is a piece of cake.

Explicit comparison between essentially unlike things, introduced by a connective (e.g. ‘like,’ ‘as,’ ‘than’) or a verb such as ‘seems.’ Ex. He fled the classroom like a bat out of hell.

Uses symbols, characters, or events to represent abstract ideas or themes.

A figure of speech in which some significant aspect or detail of an experience is used to represent the whole experience. Ex. To refer to a writer’s handwriting as his or her ‘hand’ is to use a metonymic figure; to refer to a monarch as ‘the crown’ is to use metonymy

A rhetorical device used to emphasize ideas or images by using grammatically
similar constructions. Words, phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs can be organized into
parallel constructions creating a sense of balance that can be meaningful and revealing.

Figure of speech that bestows human characteristics upon anything
nonhuman.

Figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole. [Ex.] To refer to a boat as a ‘sail’ is to use synecdoche.

Pause or break in a line of poetry or prose, usually marked by a punctuation mark or a natural rhythm of speech. This pause can be used to create emphasis, contrast, or a sense of division or separation between different parts of a sentence or verse

Repetition of words or grammatical structures in reverse order to create a parallel and balanced phrase or sentence. This device creates a symmetrical and memorable effect in the language, often used for emphasis or to add a poetic or rhetorical quality to the writing. “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

The emotional, cultural, and social associations that are attached to a word, beyond its literal definition

Literal or dictionary definition of a word, without any additional connotation or associated meanings. It is the objective and factual meaning of a word, rather than its emotional, cultural, or symbolic significance

A plot device in which a seemingly unsolvable problem or conflict is resolved suddenly and unexpectedly by the introduction of a new character, event, or object. This resolution is often contrived, improbable, or artificial and does not arise organically from the story. The term originates from ancient Greek theater, where a god would be lowered onto the stage by a machine to resolve the conflicts of the play

Drawing a comparison between two things in order to clarify or explain something. Analogies are often used to help readers understand complex or abstract ideas by comparing them to something more familiar.

A universal symbol or pattern that recurs in myths, stories, and other forms of literature across different cultures and time periods. Archetypes can be characters, motifs, themes, or symbols that represent a particular idea, trait, or experience that is shared by
humans. They are often used to create a sense of familiarity or resonance with the audience, and can convey complex meanings and emotions in a simple and direct way

A shift in the narrative to a scene from an earlier time. It is a technique used to provide background information or to reveal important details about the plot or characters. Flashbacks can take many forms, including memories, dreams, or even historical events.

Literary device that involves the use of a character who contrasts with another character in order to highlight certain qualities or traits of the other character. The foil character is often portrayed as a contrast to the protagonist or another important character in the story. This
contrast can be used to emphasize the differences between the two characters, highlight certain themes or motifs, or provide a better understanding of the protagonist’s qualities. Foil characters can be similar in many ways but differ in key areas, or they can be completely opposite in terms
of personality, behavior, or beliefs.

Use of clues or hints to suggest what will happen later in the story. It is a way for authors to create anticipation and build suspense by hinting at
future events or outcomes. Foreshadowing can take many forms, including symbolic objects or actions, dialogue, or descriptions of setting or characters. It is often used in literature, particularly in mystery, suspense, and horror genres, but can be found in all types of writing. By providing subtle hints of what is to come, foreshadowing can enhance the reader’s engagement and investment in the story