Understanding literary terms literary device meaning example alliteration the repetition of sounds, most often consonant sounds, at the beginning of the words winning ways win a wave onomatopoeia the use of a word or phrase that imitates or suggests the sound of what it describes. Define the technical and literary terms of poetry, including types of stanzas and feet distinguish the different types of poetry to unlock this lesson you must be a member. Oxford dictionary of literary terms oxford reference. Didactic form of fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking. Literary terms page 4 diction a speaker or writers choice of words. Ponyboy in the outsiders flat character a character in a story that we do not know much about ex.
Click on any of the 6 terms below to get a complete definition with lots of examples. Pdf dictionary of literary terms rozina qureshi academia. A eulogy is great praise or commendation, a laudatory speech, often about someone who has died. Poem where the first letter of each line spells out a significant word. I do this to encourage the students to carry it with them at all times. Free verse is poetry that does not conform to any regular metre. A brief, often implicit and indirect reference within a literary text to something outside the text, whether another text e. This term traditionally referred to such literary devices as simile, metaphor, and. Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds.
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. 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. I copy it on colored paper so that it is hard to lose or throw away. Common literary genres include tragedy, comedy, lyric, and satire. 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. Emerson poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth by calling imagination to help reason samuel johnson poetry is the record of the best and happiest moments of the happiest and best mind percey bysche shelley. March 18, 2005 page 4 omniscient literally all knowing.
Alliterationthe repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of several words in a line of poetry. A literary device is any specific aspect of literature, or a particular work, which we can recognize, identify, interpret andor analyze. The most common literary devices used in literature. Literary techniques are specific, deliberate constructions of language which an author uses to convey meaning. The list is intended as a quickreference guide and is by no means exhaustive. 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. The literary term, poetry, is covered in this multiple choice quiz. Plot and character devices are elements of the story which could be told in many forms including poetry, prose, playwriting, song, television, film, and others.
Illustrated glossary of poetic terminology eseniors. The concise oxford dictionary of literary terms chris baldick is professor of english at goldsmiths college, university of london. In a literary work there will often be a brief reference to a person, place, event or to another literary work. A printed pdf version quick reference of litcharts literary terms and devices. To find a literary word or phrase, always look it up in the index of terms at the end of this volume. The reading strategies and literary elements booklet is composed of reproducible lessons and exercises.
It often employs rhyme and meter a set of rules governing the number and arrangement of syllables in each line. Davidson literary devices, techniques, and elements mood. It includes extensive coverage of traditional drama, versification, rhetoric, and literary history, as well as updated and extended advice on recommended further reading and a pronunciation guide to more than 200 terms. The genres of fiction, drama, nonfiction, literary criticism. The title of seamus heaneys autobiographical poem singing school alludes to a line from. Examples of different meters and metrical substitutions. Pdf a dictionary of literary terms and literary theory. Try one of the apps below to open or edit this item. Eliots influential long poem is dense with allusions.
During the english renaissance, dramatic poets such as john milton, christopher marlowe, and of course, william shakespeare gave us enough words to fill textbooks, lecture halls, and universities. The mood of macbeth is dark, murky and mysterious, creating a sense of fear and uncertainty. The term is also used to describe the art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken, which is designed to produce pleasure. Broken arrow public schools 5th grade literary terms.
Some of the most commonly used literary devices are alliteration, simile, metaphor, imagery, irony, etc. Simile a figure of speech using like or as to compare. The focus lessons provide a focused way of introducing. Many sonnets and love poems compare ones love to a blossoming. Poetry teaches the enormous forces of a few words r. Allusion is a direct or indirect reference to a familiar figure, place or event from history, literature, mythology. Poetry is used to achieve this artistic expression in several ways. Aphorism 1 a terse, pithy statement in poetry or prose expressing a general thought, maxim, or proverb. This is called an allusion, and was very common in classic and romantic poetry which had many references to ancient mythology. The title of seamus heaneys autobiographical poem singing school alludes to a line from w. Although the individual entries in th glossarye are in the alphabetic order of their title terms, the large number r of terms are discussed withi texn tht oef thes ene. Determine the purpose of poetic devices as either emphasizing meaning or the sound of words. Literary devices and terms definitions and examples. For a more complete glossary of terms relating to poetry in particular, see glossary of poetry terms.
Wheelers literature courses, exercises involving poetry, and literary terms and definitions. The repetition of initial consonant sounds in words such as rough and ready. This is a list of terms for describing texts, with an emphasis on terms that apply specifically to poetry, that appear most frequently in literary criticism, or for which dictionary definitions tend to be unenlightening. In poetry, words are strung together to form sounds, images, and ideas that might be too complex or abstract to describe directly. Robert frost man, if you gotta ask, youll never know. March 18, 2005 page 1 broken arrow public schools 5th grade literary terms alliteration the repetition of the same sounds or the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables. There are certain forms and patterns that poets follow in the composition process of. Antagonist character in a story or poem who opposes the main character. Autobiography the story of a persons life written by that person, telling the story of your own life is an autobiography. The poetry of walt whitman is perhaps the best known example of free verse.
Dec 15, 2006 definition of poetry poetry is any kind of verbal or written language that is structured rhythmically and is meant to tell a story, or express any kind of emotion, idea, or state of being. Oxford abbreviations abc of music literary terms local and family history. Character protagonist the main character in the story antagonist the characters in conflict with the protagonist round character a character in a story that we know a lot about ex. Reading and literature a glossary of literary terms 1 a glossary of literary terms literary devices alliteration. Onomatopoeia words that are spelled like the sound they represent. A p literary terms houston independent school district. A motif differs from a theme in that it can be expressed as a single word or fragmentary phrase, while a theme usually. Other types of ballads include literary ballads, combining the natures of epic. Poetry a literary work in metrical form or patterned language. 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. The repetition of initial consonant sounds used especially in poetry to emphasize and link words as well as to create pleasing, musical sounds. Below is a list of ba sic literary term s with which you should be fa m iliar.
The atmosphere or emotional condition created by the piece, within the setting. Y ou are anal y sing a po em, so m u st show an a w aren ess of poetic technique s. Both literary elements and literary techniques can rightly be called literary devices. Alliterationthe repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of several words in a. 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. Lord of the flies alliteration repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together. Poetic devices worksheets and activites ereading worksheets. Make a strong introduction for poetry by revealing the poetic devices embedded in music the language of youth. All terms will be discussed throughout the year and students are responsible for knowing every term listed in this packet for the final exam. Definition of poetry poetry is any kind of verbal or written language that is structured rhythmically and is meant to tell a story, or express any kind of emotion, idea, or state of being.
A guide metre the majority of english verse since chaucer is in accentualsyllabic metre, which consists of alternating stressed and unstressed syllables within a fixed total number of syllables in each line. Louis armstrong a poet is limited in the materials he can use in creating his works. Allegorythe representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. Homers epic, the odyssey, described the wanderings of the adventurer, odysseus, and has been called the greatest story ever told. New to this fully revised edition are recommended entrylevel web links. Literary terms the routledge dictionary of literary termsis a twentyfirst century update of roger fowlers seminal dictionary of modern critical terms. 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. A brief, intentional reference to a historical, mythic, or literary person, place, event, or movement. This webpage contains snippets of poetry for discussion in dr. The repetition of vowel sounds without the repetition of consonants.
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