Literary Devices and Figurative Language Keystone Remediation Term

Literary Devices and Figurative Language Keystone Remediation

Term § Definition § Basic Terms § Example

Allegory § A form of extended metaphor in which objects, persons, and actions in a narrative are equated with meanings that lie outside the narrative itself. The underlying meaning may have moral, social, religious, or political significance and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas such as charity, greed, or envy § The people and events in a story are symbols of real people and events that have lived or occurred § The Lorax by Dr. Seuss is an allegory of how the logging industry is destroying the environment that should be protected

Alliteration § The repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words § The first sound you hear in a word is repeated in the next few words § The big black bear babbled to the bored bald bat till the bored bald bat bawled

Allusion § An implied or indirect reference in literature to a familiar person, place, or event § A reference (that the reader may or may not catch) to something else (hopefully) well-known § “When will I ever find my Romeo? ”

Archetype § A very typical example of a certain person or thing § A character who is the stereotype of a group of people § The Breakfast Club has archetypes built around the stoner kid, the rebel, the popular girl, the nerd, and the jock

Aside § A character’s dialogue is only to specific character(s) on stage; not heard by everyone on stage § When two or more characters are “whispering” to each other and the audience can hear but not all characters on stage § Think back to Macbeth! § When Macbeth and Banquo have a private conversation that the Thane of Rosse can’t hear

Assonance § The repetition of vowel sounds within or at the end of words within a phrase or sentence § The vowel sounds in neighboring words are repeated, but not necessarily the consonants § The bed is wet where Jed is headed.

Author’s Purpose § The author’s intent either to inform or teach someone about something, to entertain people, or to persuade his/her audience to do or not do something § Authors have these three purposes only: § To inform § To entertain § To persuade § In your career research essays, your purpose was to inform, while in your creative writings your purpose is to entertain.

Characterization § The method an author uses to reveal characters and their various traits and personalities, done both directly and indirectly § How an author builds a character with a personality § Direct: directly stating a fact about a character § Indirect: Speech, Thoughts, Emotions of others, Actions, Looks § “Jenny is so rude, ” Erica said while punching babies.

Cliché § An expression that has been used so often that its meaning and impact are no longer effective § A phrase that’s said so much that it’s less meaningful § Jenny says every guy is her knight in shining armor.

Conclusions § To make a judgment or decision based on reasoning rather than direct or implicit statement § A judgment or decision made that was based on the evidence you’ve been given instead of directly stated § By seeing Erica punch babies, I know she is a cruel person

Conflict § A struggle or clash between opposing characters, forces or emotions § The problem of a story § § § Person vs. Self Person vs. Society Person vs. Technology Person vs. Nature Person vs. Supernatural § Erica needs to run away because there’s an angry mob chasing her for punching babies

Connotation § The range of associations that a word or phrase suggests in addition to its dictionary meaning § A meaning of a word that is not it’s literal definition § Ratchet is used as an insult, similar to haggard, but that is not the literal definition of the word

Consonance § The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words in a phrase or sentence § The consonant sounds in neighboring words are repeated, but not necessarily the vowels § The trek Nick took needed a clock for the sick Brock.

Cultural Significance § The generally accepted importance of a work representing a given culture § A piece of literature is important to a culture, but wouldn’t carry the same meaning across the world § Spongebob Squarepants is only culturally significant since it’s unknown to the rest of the world

Denotation § The explicit, literal meaning of a word or phrase; the meaning of a word as it is found in the dictionary § The literal meaning of a word § Ratchet literally refers to a tool

Dialect § A variety of language distinct from the standard variety in pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary § The way a group of people talks that is different than perfect English § “Howdy y’all! Where ya’ gon’ git dat hooch tonigh’? ”

Diction § An author’s choice of words, phrases, sentence structures and figurative language, which combine to help create meaning and tone § The way an author writes that shows the reader his meaning § Choosing to use short sentences to show anger in a character § “I’d like you to leave now. ” § “You. Out. Now. ”

Drama § A genre of literature represented by works intended for the stage; a work to be performed by actors on stage or television; plays § Something meant to be acted out, like a play or show § Medea

Dynamic Character § A character which changes during the course of a story or novel. The change in outlook or characters is permanent § A character who undergoes a change in his personality during the actions of the story § More realistic! § Said is a dynamic character, while Tarzan is not

Flashback § An organizational device used in literature to present action that occurred before current (present) time of the story. Often introduced as the dreams or recollections of one or more characters § Learning about a character’s past by seeing a scene from it § A dream that shows you the relationship two characters have that helps you understand why they’re rude to each other now

Flat Character § A character who reveals only one or two personality traits in a story or novel, and the traits do not change § A character who we know little about; they do not change or grow, and we don’t know their character motivations § Sana is a flat character, but Said is not

Foil § A character whose purpose is to highlight one or more attributes of the main character by providing a contrast § A character who shows you how a main character is the opposite of them § Dumbledore and Voldemort are foils § Dumbledore does what’s best for the world/school/the ones he loves § Voldemort does what’s best for Voldemort

Foreshadowing § An organizational device used to create expectation or to set up an explanation of later developments § An event in a story gives you a hint of what’s going to happen later § The witches’ prophesies in Macbeth

Generalizations § A conclusion drawn from specific information that is used to make a broad statement about a topic or person § Using limited evidence to draw a conclusion about a larger topic or person § Claiming “All Muslims are terrorists” simply because some extremists have done terroristic things

Genre § A category used to classify literary works, usually by form, technique, or content (prose, poetry, etc. ) § A category of literature that can be very broad or specific § Fiction § Non-fiction § Poetry § Medea was fiction

Hyperbole § An exaggeration or overstatement § “I could eat a horse!”

Idiom § An expression common to those familiar with a language or dialect where the meaning cannot be determined by the literal definition of the words it contains § A regional expression that requires an understanding of the connotation and not just the definition of the words § “It’s raining cats and dogs”

Imagery § Descriptive or figurative language in a literary work; the use of language to create sensory impressions § Descriptions that help build an image in your mind, playing off all five senses § I could hear the waves and taste the salt in the air as the warm sun mirrored off the water that splashed up on my feet.

Inferences § A judgment based on reasoning rather than on direct or explicit statement. A conclusion based on facts or circumstances; understanding gained by “reading between the lines” § Drawing a conclusion based on evidence you’ve already received § I can infer that today will be a good day because I’m getting paid and will pick up my new puppy.

Irony § The use of word or phrase to mean the exact opposite of its literal or usual meaning; incongruity between the result of a sequence of events and the expected result § Dramatic Irony § A difference between what the audience knows and what the characters know § Situational Irony § A difference between what you expect to happen and what actually happens § Verbal Irony § A difference between what you say and what you mean § All three are in Shrek!

Metaphor § The comparison of two unlike things in which no words or comparison are used (like or as) § Comparing two things by avoiding the words “like” and “as” § Your eyes are the ocean on a cloudy day

Monologue § An extended speech spoken by one speaker, either to others or as if alone § One character’s extended, uninterrupted speech to others on stage § A general giving his troops a pep talk before they march into battle

Mood § The prevailing emotions or atmosphere or a work derived from literary devices such as dialogue and literary elements such as setting. The mood of a work is not always what might be expected based on its subject matter § The way a reader is supposed to feel about a piece of literature § The mood of The Thief and the Dogs may change depending on a reader

Motif § A recurring subject, theme, or idea in a literary work § A recurring subject, theme, or idea in a piece of literature § The motif of love is found throughout The Thief and the Dogs

Onomatopoeia § The written word describing an auditory experience § The way a sound is written § Pow! Bam! Crack!

Oxymoron § The combination of two words or contrasting meanings to convey a single idea or thought § A single phrase that uses multiple ideas that don’t make literal sense § Jumbo Shrimp

Paradox § A statement that initially seems to contradict itself but, in fact, includes a fundamental truth § Something that seems like it cannot literally be true, but has a deeper meaning to it that makes sense § She felt alone in the crowded room

Personification § An object or abstract idea given human qualities or human form § An object or idea is given human qualities § Any animal sidekick in Disney movies

Plot Sequence § The structure of a story. The sequence in which the author arranges events in a story. The structure often includes the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the resolution. The plot may have a protagonist who is opposed by the antagonist, creating conflict § The plot elements of a story, including Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution § Medea had all of these!

Point of View § The position of the narrator in relation to the story, as indicated by the narrator’s outlook from which the events are depicted. The perspective from which a speaker or author recounts a narrative and presents information. The author’s manner in revealing characters, events, and ideas; the vantage point from which a story is told. § The perspective a story is told through, including 1 st person, 2 nd person, 3 rd person, limited or omniscient § Parts of The Thief and the Dogs was in 1 st person, part was in 3 rd person

Propaganda § Information aimed at positively or negatively influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people § Advertisements or information that’s purpose is to persuade or influence people § Types include Name Calling, Bandwagon, Red Herring, Emotional Appeal, Testimonial, Repetition, Sweeping Generalization, Circular Argument, Appeal to Numbers and Statistics

Propaganda: Name Calling § An attack on a person instead of an issue § “All democrats/republicans are dumb”

Propaganda: Bandwagon § Tries to persuade the reader to do, think, or buy something because it is popular or because “everyone” is doing it § I’m not going to TJ’s party because no one else is

Propaganda: Red Herring § An attempt to distract the reader with details not relevant to the argument § If you don’t like bananas, you’re just as bad as Hitler!

Propaganda: Emotional Appeal § Tries to persuade the reader by using words that appeal to the reader’s emotions instead of to logic or reason § Look at this poor, helpless, abused kitten! Donate now so you can save it!

Propaganda: Testimonial § Attempts to persuade the reader by using a famous person to endorse a product or idea § “I’m Shaq, and I use Icy Hot since I’m old!”

Propaganda: Repetition § Attempts to persuade the reader by repeating a message over and over again § “ 5, 5 dollar foot long, Any, any”

Propaganda: Sweeping Generalization § Makes an oversimplified statement about a group based on limited information § All women are bad drivers

Propaganda: Circular Argument § States a conclusion as part of the proof of the argument § I know God is real because he wrote the Bible and the Bible tells me he’s real

Propaganda: Appeal to Numbers and Statistics § Attempts to persuade the reader by showing how many people think something is true § “Over 1 million sold!”

Quatrain § Stanza or poem of four lines in any kind of rhyme scheme § In poetry, a stanza that is four lines long I think I thought some thoughtful thoughts I think I thought up three But now I think about those thoughts Do those thoughts think of me? § Shel Silverstein

Repetition § Repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer § Repeating words or phrases for emphasis § “I have a dream…”

Round Character § A well-developed character who demonstrates varied and sometimes contradictory traits; usually dynamic § A well-developed character who has realistic characteristics who we know a lot about § Very realistic! § Medea and Said are both round characters

Satire § A literary approach that ridicules or examines a human vice or weakness § Literature that ridicules or shows the flaws of something § Saturday Night Live

Setting § The time and place in which a story unfolds § Both the time AND place a story is set § 1950 s in Cairo, Egypt was the setting for The Thief and the Dogs

Simile § A comparison of two unlike things in which a word of comparison is used (like or as) § Comparing two things by using “like” or “as” § You’re as beautiful as the morning sun

Soliloquy § A dramatic speech, revealing inner thoughts and feelings, spoken aloud by one character while alone on the stage § One character’s extended, uninterrupted speech to himself or the literal audience outside the context of the play § A Disney hero singing to himself about how he can go the distance while he’s alone

Static Character § A character that remains primarily the same throughout a story or novel. Events in the story do not alter a static character’s outlook, personality, motivation, etc. § A character that does not change throughout a story § Tarzan from The Thief and the Dogs is static, while Said is not

Style § The author’s choice regarding language, sentence structure, voice, and tone in order to communicate with the audience § The way an author writes including word choice, word order, rhythm, and tone § Naguib Mahfouz has a style much different than Shakespeare or Euripides

Symbolism § A device in literature where an object represents an idea § When an object or character in a piece of literature represents an idea as well § The color red may symbolize anger, or the slums of Cairo may represent Said’s current lifestyle

Theme § A topic of discussion or work; a major idea broad enough to cover the entire scope of a literary work. A theme is stated or implied. Clues to theme may be found in the prominent and/or recurring ideas in a work § The single word that describes what the whole piece of literature is about § One theme of Medea could have been Revenge

Tone § The attitude of the author toward the audience, characters, subject, or the work itself § The author’s attitude of a piece of literature § The tone of The Thief and the Dogs should be desolate and depressed for everyone

Universal Character § A character that symbolically embodies well-known meanings and basic human experiences, regardless of when or where he/she lives § A character that everyone can relate to in terms of their problems and/or personalities § Everyone can relate to Said’s desire for revenge after he’s been done wrong

Universal Significance § The generally accepted importance or value of a work to represent human experience regardless of culture or time period § A piece of literature is important so important that any culture from anywhere or any time can find the value of it § All cultures can understand the universal significance of the Bible

Voice § The fluency, rhythm, and liveliness in a text that makes it unique to the author § The way a character writes that makes it unique to him § Shakespeare has a different voice than Euripides or Naguib Mahfouz