Literary & Grammar Terms

Linguistics and Writing Systems

acronym

word formed from successive initials or groups of letters, as NATO

analogy

comparison between like features of two things that are otherwise dissimilar

antonym

word of opposite meaning

colloquial

appropriate to casual rather than formal speech or writing

dialect

pronunciation or words peculiar to an area

dictionary

resource that lists the words of a language with their meanings

idiom

expression peculiar to a language

jargon

vocabulary meaningful only to a particular profession or group

semantics

the study of meaning in language

synonym

word meaning the same as another

syntax

the arrangement of words into sentences and phrases

theme

short essay; subject of discussion or art

vernacular

language used locally or in everyday speech 

 

 

 

 

Literary Characters and Practitioners

antagonist

adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama or other literary work

archetype

original pattern or model

character

person in a novel, play, etc.

hero

the main typically male character in a story, play, etc.

heroine

main female character in a story, play, etc.

muse

the inspiration motivating a poet, artist, etc.

protagonist

the main character

pseudonym

fictitious name used by an author to conceal his or her identity; pen name

Literature Devices, Techniques, and Elements

alliteration

repetition of the same sound at the beginning of two or more words

allusion

a passing or casual reference to a person, place, or literary work

anachronism

thing that belongs to a time period other than that in which it is placed

antithesis

contrast; direct opposite

assonance

similarity of sound in words or syllables

cacophony

harsh, discordant sound

catharsis

the release of the emotions, as through art

cliche

trite expression

climax

decisive moment in a plot

content

the subjects in a book, document, etc.

context

what comes before or follows a word or statement and influences its meaning

dialogue

conversation between two or more people

epithet

descriptive term

genre

class or category of artistic work

hubris

excessive pride

hyperbole

obvious exaggeration

imagery

mental images collectively

irony

the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning

juxtaposition

placing expressions or ideas close together, for comparison or contrast

metaphor

word or phrase applied to an object or concept in order to suggest comparison

meter

the rhythmic element in music and poetry

monologue

talk by a single speaker

motif

recurring subject or theme

narrative

story or account of events

onomatopoeia

the formation of a word by the imitation of a sound

pathos

the quality or power of arousing pity

personification

attributing a human character or quality to an animal, idea, or thing

plot

the main story of a novel, play, etc.

refrain

recurring passage in a song or poem

setting

the locale and period of a story, play, etc.

soliloquy

speech in a play in which a character speaks as if alone

stanza

division of a poem

symbol

thing that represents something else

synopsis

  brief  summary 

 

 

 http://dictionary.reference.com/wordlist/literary