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 choic