A Mini-Dictionary of Common Literary Terms

A Mini-Dictionary of Common Literary Terms (updated for 2022) Allegory A narrative work in which events, actions, characters, settings or objects represent specific abstractions or ideas. Often has a religious, moral or historical meaning. Alliteration The repetition of initial consonants in words next to or close to each other. It can be used to draw emphasis to specific ideas, build atmosphere, or to alter the rhythm and structure in a poem. Allusion A reference to someone or something assumed to be well-known. Anachronism The placement of someone or something associated with a particular time in history in the wrong time period. Often used to add humour, make a statement, or to break the fourth wall. Anagnorisis The moment in a plot or story, specifically a tragedy, where the character makes a critical discovery. This discovery is often startling and produces a change from ignorance to knowledge. Antithesis The use of two phrases that have a similar structure and word-order, but which are opposing or contrasting in meaning. It is used to highlight the differences between two entities. In everyday usage, it can refer more broadly to opposing ideas. Assonance The repetition of the same vowel sounds. Atmosphere The emotional tone that pervades a section or the whole of a literary work. Often used interchangeably with mood. Bathos An unexpected anti-climax or when there is a sudden and ridiculous shift in tone to something trivial. Bildungsroman Refers to a coming-of-age novel, which depict the developments of their protagonists from youth to adulthood, focusing on the psychological, emotional, and moral changes these characters undergo. Burlesque A type of satire, where the subject matter being imitated is deliberately distorted in order to amuse or to achieve a comedic effect. Caricature The exaggerated portrayal of a character, often for comical purposes. Conceit A comparison between dissimilar objects, intended to provoke readers into thinking about the subject matter in a new way. A conceit differs from a metaphor in that the comparison is meant to be novel, often to surprising or shocking effect. Conflict The struggle between two opposing forces. Conflict in literature could be external (e.g. protagonist vs antagonist, protagonist vs outside

forces) or internal (e.g. a character’s psychological struggle – virtue vs vice; duty to society vs personal desires). Connotation The suggestions or associations that a word implies. Connotation is distinct from denotation, which refers to the dictionary meaning of a word. Consonance The repetition of the same consonant sounds. Denouement Dramatic outcome or showdown. Deus Ex Machina A Latin phrase that translates to “god in the machine”. Refers to a plot device where a seemingly unsolvable conflict or impossible problem is solved by the sudden appearance of an unexpected person, object, or event. Diction The choice of words and phrases used. It does NOT refer to the literal definition of a word/phrase. Dissonance The use of harsh sounds that are unpleasant and usually disruptive to the flow of speech and text. Dramatic Irony A plot device in a drama / play, whereby the audience knows more about the situation than the characters do. This allows for the speech of the characters to function at multiple levels of meaning, creating suspense and humour. Ellipsis Punctuation mark consisting of three dots in a row (i.e. “…”). Euphemism A word or expression used in lieu of a harsher alternative. Often used to soften the impact of something blunt or shocking, though euphemism can also be used for comic effect. Euphony The use of pleasant or harmonious sounds, usually meant to create a soothing effect. Figurative Language Metaphorical or non-literal language that describes its subject in terms of something else. Also known as figures of speech. Examples of figurative language include symbols, personification, metaphors, allegories, irony, metaphors, similes, etc. Foreshadowing An advance hint of what to come later in the story. Often appears at the beginning of a story / scene / chapter, to help the reader develop expectations about characters or events yet to occur in the plot. Hamartia The fatal flaw that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine. Hubris The trait of arrogance or excessive self-confidence, leading a character to overstep limits, thus causing their downfall.

Hyperbole Exaggerated language. Often used for purposes of emphasis or satire. Image A mental picture or impression that appeals to one (or more) of the reader’s five senses. Imagery refers a group of related images. Irony Refers to a contrast between reality and what the characters / readers / audience expects. It can also refer to the contrast between what a character is saying, vs what they mean. Irony is often used to create humour or to emphasize the tragedy of a situation. Common types of irony include: - Verbal irony: contrast between what is said and what was meant; includes sarcasm - Situational irony: a discrepancy between expected and actual outcomes. - Dramatic irony: (see above) Juxtaposition Refers to images, objects or concepts that are radically different being placed near each other for contrasting purposes. Juxtaposition differs from antithesis (see above) in that the juxtaposed subject is not necessarily described using a similar structure or word order. Metaphor The comparison of one thing to another, without the use of the words “like” or “as”. An extended metaphor occurs when a metaphor is developed throughout the entire text and is most commonly found in poems. Metonymy When an object is referred to by a term closely associated with it. (e.g. referring to the entire American financial market as “Wall Street”, which is a street in the New York business district.) Motif An object, character, incident or image which recurs frequently throughout a text. Usually points to an issue or theme that the writer wishes to highlight. Mood The overall emotional impact or quality of a scene or a text. Onomatopoeia The use of words that resemble or suggest the sounds they are referring to. Usually used to bring the scene to life for the reader. Oxymoron A phrase or even a compound word which consists of two terms directly opposite in meaning. Often used to convey the paradox or a contradiction inherent in a situation. Parody A mocking imitation of the style of a literary work or works, ridiculing the stylistic habits of an author or school by the exaggeration of characteristic features.

Pastoral A genre of writing concerned with individuals (usually a shepherd) living a simple, idyllic life in the countryside, focusing on one’s wholesome connection to nature and the outdoors. Pastoral writing tends to idealise bucolic country living in order to criticise the pressures of urban life. Pathetic Fallacy A type of personification which specifically refers to nature, wherein nature is described as having human emotions, feelings or characteristics. Peripeteia Refers to the dramatic reversal of circumstances or turning point within a narrative, usually that of the protagonist’s descent towards inevitable tragedy. Pathos Refers to an appeal to the audience’s emotions – usually with the intention of arousing pity, compassion or sorrow. Personification The attribution of human qualities such as speech, feelings and actions to non-human things. This term is distinct from anthropomorphism, in that personification consists of figurative attribution (e.g. your laptop hates you), while anthropomorphism consists of the non-human thing literally acquiring a human quality (e.g. Winnie the Pooh is an anthropomorphised bear). Poetic Justice A situation in which everyone is rewarded as they deserve – e.g. good is rewa