Unit 1: Additional Literary Terms

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. exposition
    an account that sets forth the intent of a story
    Exposition: The characters, setting, and basic situation are introduced.
  2. foreshadowing
    the act of providing vague advance indications
    Writers use various devices to add tension to a plot. One device is foreshadowing, or the use of details that hint at later events.
  3. analogy
    drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity
    An analogy shows the relationship between pairs of words.
  4. inference
    a conclusion you can draw based on known evidence
    An inference is a logical guess about information that is not directly stated in a literary work.
  5. description
    a statement that represents something in words
    To establish a setting, writers may use description, creating word pictures that show what the physical location is like.
  6. conclusion
    a position or opinion reached after consideration
    A conclusion is a decision or an opinion a reader reaches based on information in a text.
  7. philosophical
    relating to the investigation of existence and knowledge
    In many cases, the theme of a work reflects a philosophical assumption—the writer's basic beliefs about life.
  8. antonym
    a word that expresses an opposite meaning
    For each sentence, replace the word in italics with its antonym, or word of opposite meaning, from the list.
  9. irony
    incongruity between what is expected and what occurs
    Irony is the effect created when a writer sets up contrasts between readers' or characters' expectations and reality.
  10. dramatic irony
    when the audience understands something the characters don't
    In dramatic irony, the reader knows something a character does not.
  11. paradox
    a statement that contradicts itself
    In addition to irony, writers may use paradox—a statement that seems contradictory but actually reveals a deeper truth.
  12. dictionary
    a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words
    A dictionary is an alphabetical listing of words. It provides a variety of information about words, including their definitions, parts of speech, etymologies, and more.
  13. thesaurus
    a book containing a classified list of synonyms
    A thesaurus is a reference book that lists synonyms, or words with similar meanings.
  14. analytic
    using or skilled in using analysis
    An analytic response to literature is a form of essay in which a reader presents a critical interpretation of a literary work.
  15. quotation
    a passage or expression that is cited
    Use exact quotations to show a character's personality, a poet's use of imagery, or a writer's style. Identify all quotations clearly and use quotation marks.
  16. paraphrase
    rewording for the purpose of clarification
    Use paraphrases—your own restatement of ideas—in the text to clarify a conflict, to present a writer's theme, or to include key concepts.
  17. summary
    a brief statement that presents the main points
    Use summaries to provide an overview of a writer's opinion or to explain a series of events.
  18. chronological
    relating to or arranged according to the order of time
    Use chronological order to show a flow of related causes and effects. Describe the sequence of events in time order, discussing how each cause leads to an effect.
  19. presentation
    a show or display
    Share your findings in a presentation for the class.
  20. informal
    not in accord with established conventions and requirements
    Share your findings in an informal speech or presentation.
  21. profile
    biographical sketch
    Write a profile, or biographical sketch, of Lynne Cox. Describe her athletic and emotional attributes, and explain how she was able to achieve her goals.
  22. autobiographical
    relating to or in the style of an account of one's own life
    Write an autobiographical narrative in which you describe a goal that you once pursued intensely and which you feel has shaped who you are.
  23. annotate
    add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
    Write an annotated outline in which you identify your sources and findings.
  24. reflective
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
    Write a reflective essay in which you evaluate a decision you made in the past in terms of its "opportunity cost" and its "sunk cost."
  25. anecdote
    short account of an incident
    An anecdote is a brief story told to make a point.
  26. blog
    an online journal where people post about their experiences
    Share your findings in a blog post or brief report.
  27. futurology
    the study or prediction of future developments on the basis of existing conditions
    Le Guin objects to science fiction in which "space and the future are synonymous." Futurologists are social scientists who study current trends in order to forecast future developments.
  28. tone
    a quality that reveals the attitudes of the author
    In literature, tone is the author's attitude toward the subject or audience.
  29. monologue
    a dramatic speech by a single actor
    Write a monologue in the voice of a construction worker in this photograph.
  30. argumentative
    given to or characterized by a tendency to dispute
    Write an argumentative essay in which you state and defend a claim about the value of perseverance, or working toward a goal, in the face of conflict.
Created on Thu Oct 15 08:50:37 EDT 2020 (updated Tue Jul 20 12:05:12 EDT 2021)

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