Enlgish

Novella

An intermediate-length (between a novel and a short story) fictional narrative.

In media res

Beginning in "the middle of things," or when an author begins a text in the midst of action. This often functions as a way to both incorporate the reader directly into the narrative and secure his or her interest in the narrative that follows.

Style

Comprising an author's diction, syntax, tone, characters, and other narrative techniques, "style" is used to describe the way an author uses language to convey his or her ideas and purpose in writing. An author's style can also be associated to the genre or mode of writing the author adopts, such as in the case of a satire or elegy with would adopt a satirical or elegiac style of writing.

aesthetics

"Philosophical investigation into the nature of beauty and the perception of beauty, especially in the arts; the theory of art or artistic taste."

Frith's Level of Analysis (Surface meaning)

"consists of the overall impression that a reader might get from quickly studying the advertisement...you can describe this surface level of meaning by simply listing all the objects and people in the ad" (1998:5).

Guiding questions for new historicism

1. What historical or cultural information is needed to fully understand texts that are from a different historical period or culture as the reader? 2. How might our interpretations of texts change as we acquire new understandings of history and culture? 3. Why are some texts considered part of a literary canon and others excluded from it.

Epistrophe

Epistrophe is similar to anaphora, but in this case, the repeated word or phrase appears at the end of successive statements. Like anaphora, it is used to evoke an emotional response from the audience. Example: In Lyndon B. Johnson's speech, "The American Promise," he repeats the word "problem" in a use of epistrophe: "There is no Negro problem. There is no Southern problem. There is no Northern problem. There is only an American problem."

Exposition

Exposition is when the narrative provides background information in order to help the reader understand what's going on. When used in conjunction with description and dialogue, this literary device provides a richer understanding of the characters, setting, and events. Be careful, though — too much exposition will quickly become boring, thus undercutting the emotional impact of your work. Example: "The Dursley's had everything they wanted, but they also had a secret, and their greatest fear was that somebody would discover it." - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is when an author indirectly hints at—through things such as dialogue, description, or characters' actions—what's to come later on in the story. This device is often used to introduce tension to a narrative. Example: Say you're reading a fictionalized account of Amelia Earhart. Before she embarks on her (what we know to be unfortunate) plane ride, a friend says to her, "Be safe. Wouldn't want you getting lost—or worse." This line would be an example of foreshadowing because it implies that something bad ("or worse") will happen to Earhart.

Euphemism

A euphemism is when a more mild or indirect word or expression is used in place of another word or phrase that is considered harsh, blunt, vulgar, or unpleasant. Example: "I'm so sorry, but he didn't make it." The phrase "didn't make it" is a more polite and less blunt way of saying that someone has died.

Paradox

A paradox is a statement that appears illogical or self-contradictory but, upon investigation, might actually be true or plausible. Note that a paradox is different from an oxymoron: a paradox is an entire phrase or sentence, whereas an oxymoron is a combination of just two words. Example: Here's a famous paradoxical sentence: "This statement is false." If the statement is true, then it isn't actually false (as it suggests). But if it's false, then the statement is true! Thus, this statement is a paradox because it is both true and false at the same time.

Anti-hero

A protagonist of a story who embodies none of the qualities typically assigned to traditional heroes and heroines. Not to be confused with the antagonist of a story, the anti-hero is a protagonist whose failings are typically used to humanize him or her and convey a message about the reality of human existence.

Tautology

A tautology is when a sentence or short paragraph repeats a word or phrase, expressing the same idea twice. Often, this is a sign that you should trim your work to remove the redundancy (such as "frozen ice") but can also be used for poetic emphasis. Example: "But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping, And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door" - The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe

Structure(term)

How is the text organized? (layout, formatting) What hints at a particular text type?

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement that's not meant to be taken literally by the reader. It is often used for comedic effect and/or emphasis. Example: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." The speaker will not literally eat an entire horse (and most likely couldn't), but this hyperbole emphasizes how starved the speaker feels.

Allusion

An allusion is when an author makes an indirect reference to a figure, place, event, or idea originating from outside the text. Many allusions make reference to previous works of literature or art. Example: "Stop acting so smart—it's not like you're Einstein or something." This is an allusion to the famous real-life theoretical physicist Albert Einstein.

Allusion implication

An allusion reinforces a theme or idea.

Epistolary

A novel composed primarily of letters sent and received by its principal characters. This type of novel was particularly popular during the eighteenth century.

Essay

According to Baldick, "a short written composition in prose that discusses a subject or proposes an argument without claiming to be a complete or thorough exposition" (Baldick 87). A notable example of the essay form is Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal," which uses satire to discuss eighteenth-century economic and social concerns in Ireland.

Aphorism

An aphorism is a universally accepted truth stated in a concise, to-the-point way. Aphorisms are typically witty and memorable, often becoming adages or proverbs as people repeat them over and over. Example: "To err is human, to forgive divine." — Alexander Pope

homodiegetic narrator

Describing the narrator of a dramatic work who is also the protagonist or other character in the work.

Imagery

Imagery is when an author describes a scene, thing, or idea so that it appeals to our senses (taste, smell, sight, touch, or hearing). This device is often used to help the reader clearly visualize parts of the story by creating a strong mental picture. Example: Here's an example of imagery taken from William Wordsworth's famous poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud": When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden Daffodils; Beside the Lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Satire

Satire is genre of writing that criticizes something, such as a person, behavior, belief, government, or society. Satire often employs irony, humor, and hyperbole to make its point. Example: The Onion is a satirical newspaper and digital media company. It uses satire to parody common news features such as opinion columns, editorial cartoons, and click bait headlines.

Frith's Level of Analysis (The Cultural or Ideological Meaning*)

"...relies on the cultural knowledge and background of the reader. We all 'make sense' of ads by relating them to our culture and to the shared belief systems held in common by most people" (ibid.).

Frith's Level of Analysis (The Advertiser's Intended Meaning)

"is the sales message that the advertiser is trying to get across. Some marketers refer to this as the strategy behind the ad. It is the 'preferred' or expected meaning that a reader might get from the ad; the meaning that the advertiser intends for the reader to take with them" (ibid.).

Cumulative sentence

A cumulative sentence (or "loose sentence") is one that starts with an independent clause, but then has additional or modifying clauses. They're often used for contextual or clarifying details. This may sound complex, but even, "I ran to the store to buy milk, bread, and toilet paper" is a cumulative sentence, because the first clause, "I ran to the store," is a complete sentence, while the rest tells us extra information about your run to the store. Example: "It was a large bottle of gin Albert Cousins had brought to the party, yes, but it was in no way large enough to fill all the cups, and in certain cases to fill them many times over, for the more than one hundred guests, some of whom were dancing not four feet in front of him." - Commonwealth, Ann Patchett

Flashback

A flashback is an interruption in a narrative that depicts events that have already occurred, either before the present time or before the time at which the narration takes place. This device is often used to give the reader more background information and details about specific characters, events, plot points, and so on. Example: Most of the novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë is a flashback from the point of view of the housekeeper, Nelly Dean, as she engages in a conversation with a visitor named Lockwood. In this story, Nelly narrates Catherine Earnshaw's and Heathcliff's childhoods, the pair's budding romance, and their tragic demise.

Frame story

A frame story is any part of the story that "frames" another part of it, such as one character telling another about their past, or someone uncovering a diary or a series of news articles that then tell the readers what happened. Since the frame story supports the rest of the plot, it is mainly used at the beginning and the end of the narrative, or in small interludes between chapters or short stories. Example: In The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, Kvothe is telling Chronicler the story of his life over the span of three days. Most of the novel is the story he is telling, while the frame is any part that takes place in the inn.

Metonym

A metonym is when a related word or phrase is substituted for the actual thing to which it's referring. This device is usually used for poetic or rhetorical effect. Example: "The pen is mightier than the sword." This statement, which was coined by Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839, contains two examples of metonymy: "the pen" refers to "the written word," and "the sword" refers to "military force/violence."

Stream of consciousness

A mode of writing in which the author traces his or her thoughts verbatim into the text. Typically, this style offers a representation of the author's exact thoughts throughout the writing process and can be used to convey a variety of different emotions or as a form of pre-writing.

Synecdoche

A synecdoche is a literary device in which part of something is used to represent the whole, or vice versa. It's similar to a metonym (see above); however, a metonym doesn't have to represent the whole—just something associated with the word used. Example: "Help me out, I need some hands!" In this case, "hands" is being used to refer to people (the whole human, essentially).

Soliloquy

A type of monologue that's often used in dramas, a soliloquy is when a character speaks aloud to himself (and to the audience), thereby revealing his inner thoughts and feelings. Example: In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet's speech on the balcony that begins with, "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?" is a soliloquy, as she is speaking aloud to herself (remember that she doesn't realize Romeo's there listening!).

Theme

According to Baldick, a theme may be defined as "a salient abstract idea that emerges from a literary work's treatment of its subject-matter; or a topic recurring in a number or literary works" (Baldick 258). Themes in literature tend to differ depending on author, time period, genre, style, purpose,

Epithet

According to Taafe, "An adjective, noun, or phase expressing some characteristic quality of a thing or person or a descriptive name applied to a person, as Richard the Lion-Hearted" (Taafe 58). An epithet usually indicates some notable quality about the individual with whom it addresses, but it can also be used ironically to emphasize qualities that individual might actually lack.

Alliteration

Alliteration is a series of words or phrases that all (or almost all) start with the same sound. These sounds are typically consonants to give more stress to that syllable. You'll often come across alliteration in poetry, titles of books and poems (Jane Austen is a fan of this device, for example—just look at Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility), and tongue twisters. Example: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers." In this tongue twister, the "p" sound is repeated at the beginning of all major words.

Allegory

An allegory is a story that is used to represent a more general message about real-life (historical) issues and/or events. It is typically an entire book, novel, play, etc. Example: George Orwell's dystopian book Animal Farm is an allegory for the events preceding the Russian Revolution and the Stalinist era in early 20th century Russia. In the story, animals on a farm practice animalism, which is essentially communism. Many characters correspond to actual historical figures: Old Major represents both the founder of communism Karl Marx and the Russian communist leader Vladimir Lenin; the farmer, Mr. Jones, is the Russian Czar; the boar Napoleon stands for Joseph Stalin; and the pig Snowball represents Leon Trotsky.

Anachronism

An anachronism occurs when there is an (intentional) error in the chronology or timeline of a text. This could be a character who appears in a different time period than when he actually lived, or a technology that appears before it was invented. Anachronisms are often used for comedic effect. Example: A Renaissance king who says, "That's dope, dude!" would be an anachronism, since this type of language is very modern and not actually from the Renaissance period.

Anthropomorphism

An anthropomorphism occurs when something nonhuman, such as an animal, place, or inanimate object, behaves in a human-like way. Example: Children's cartoons have many examples of anthropomorphism. For example, Mickey and Minnie Mouse can speak, wear clothes, sing, dance, drive cars, etc. Real mice can't do any of these things, but the two mouse characters behave much more like humans than mice.

New Historicism

An approach to literature that emphasizes the interaction between the historic context of the work and a modern reader's understanding and interpretation of the work. Matthew's notes: New historicism: Puts an emphasis on the historical context in which it was written. Potential IA ideas: How do interpretations of metamorphosis change through time when compared to Tempest?

Archetype

An archetype is a "universal symbol" that brings familiarity and context to a story. It can be a character, a setting, a theme, or an action. Archetypes represent feelings and situations that are shared across cultures and time periods, and are therefore instantly recognizable to any audience — for instance, the innocent child character, or the theme of the inevitability of death. Example: Superman is a heroic archetype: noble, self-sacrificing, and drawn to righting injustice whenever he sees it.

Epigraph

An epigraph is when an author inserts a famous quotation, poem, song, or other short passage or text at the beginning of a larger text (e.g., a book, chapter, etc.). An epigraph is typically written by a different writer (with credit given) and used as a way to introduce overarching themes or messages in the work. Some pieces of literature, such as Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick, incorporate multiple epigraphs throughout. Example: At the beginning of Ernest Hemingway's book The Sun Also Rises is an epigraph that consists of a quotation from poet Gertrude Stein, which reads, "You are all a lost generation," and a passage from the Bible.

Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a combination of two words that, together, express a contradictory meaning. This device is often used for emphasis, for humor, to create tension, or to illustrate a paradox (see next entry for more information on paradoxes). Examples: Deafening silence, organized chaos, cruelly kind, insanely logical, etc.

Anaphora

Anaphora is when a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of multiple sentences throughout a piece of writing. It's used to emphasize the repeated phrase and evoke strong feelings in the audience. Example: A famous example of anaphora is Winston Churchill's "We Shall Fight on the Beaches" speech. Throughout this speech, he repeats the phrase "we shall fight" while listing numerous places where the British army will continue battling during WWII. He did this to rally both troops and the British people and to give them confidence that they would still win the war.

Anastrophe

Anastrophe is a figure of speech wherein the traditional sentence structure is reversed. So a typical verb-subject-adjective sentence such as "Are you ready?" becomes a Yoda-esque adjective-verb-subject question: "Ready, are you?" Or a standard adjective-noun pairing like "tall mountain" becomes "mountain tall." Example: "Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing." — The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

Asyndeton

Asyndeton is when the writer leaves out conjunctions (such as "and," "or," "but," and "for") in a group of words or phrases so that the meaning of the phrase or sentence is emphasized. It is often used for speeches since sentences containing asyndeton can have a powerful, memorable rhythm. Example: Abraham Lincoln ends the Gettysburg Address with the phrase "...and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the Earth." By leaving out certain conjunctions, he ends the speech on a more powerful, melodic note.

Auxesis

Auxesis is a rhetorical term for a gradual increase in the intensity of meaning with words arranged in ascending order of force or importance. Etymologically the term auxesis is a Greek word that means growth, increase or amplification. Hyperbole is a form of auxesis which intentionally exaggerates a point or it's significance. Here are some other examples of auxesis. "It's a well-hit ball, it's a long drive, it might be, it could be, it IS ... a home run." "Jeans That Can Lengthen Legs Hug Hips & Turn Heads"

Blank Verse

Blank Verse refers to unrhymed iambic pentameter. Blank verse resembles prose in that the final words of the lines do not rhyme in any regular pattern (although an occasional rhyming couplet may be found).

Chiasmus

Chiasmus is when two or more parallel clauses are inverted. "Why would I do that?" you may be wondering. Well, a chiasmus might sound confusing and unnecessary in theory, but it's much more convincing in practice — and in fact, you've likely already come across it before. Example: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." — John F. Kennedy

Colloquialism

Colloquialism is the use of informal language and slang. It's often used by authors to lend a sense of realism to their characters and dialogue. Forms of colloquialism include words, phrases, and contractions that aren't real words (such as "gonna" and "ain't"). Example: "Hey, what's up, man?" This piece of dialogue is an example of a colloquialism, since it uses common everyday words and phrases, namely "what's up" and "man."

Stylistic devices(term)

How does the author use language to convey a sentiment or message? What kinds of linguistic devices does the author employ to this end?

Hypophora

Hypophora is much like a rhetorical question, wherein someone asks a question that doesn't require an answer. However, in hypophora, the person raises a question and answers it immediately themselves (hence the prefix hypo, meaning 'under' or 'before'). It's often used when characters are reasoning something aloud. Example: "Do you always watch for the longest day of the year and then miss it? I always watch for the longest day in the year and then miss it." — Daisy in The Great Gatsby

Isocolon

If you're a neat freak who likes things just so, isocolon is the literary device for you. This is when two or more phrases or clauses have similar structure, rhythm, and even length — such that, when stacked up on top of each other, they would line up perfectly. Isocolon often crops up in brand slogans and famous sayings; the quick, balanced rhythm makes the phrase catchier and more memorable. Example: Veni, vidi, vici ("I came, I saw, I conquered")

Polysyndeton

Instead of using a single conjunction in a lengthy statements, polysyndeton uses several in succession for a dramatic effect. This one is definitely for authors looking to add a bit of artistic flair to their writing, or who are hoping to portray a particular (usually naïve) sort of voice. Example: "Luster came away from the flower tree and we went along the fence and they stopped and we stopped and I looked through the fence while Luster was hunting in the grass." — The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

Irony

Irony is when a statement is used to express an opposite meaning than the one literally expressed by it. There are three types of irony in literature: Verbal irony: When someone says something but means the opposite (similar to sarcasm).Situational irony: When something happens that's the opposite of what was expected or intended to happen.Dramatic irony: When the audience is aware of the true intentions or outcomes, while the characters are not. As a result, certain actions and/or events take on different meanings for the audience than they do for the characters involved. Examples: Verbal irony: One example of this type of irony can be found in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado." In this short story, a man named Montresor plans to get revenge on another man named Fortunato. As they toast, Montresor says, "And I, Fortunato—I drink to your long life." This statement is ironic because we the readers already know by this point that Montresor plans to kill Fortunato.Situational irony: A girl wakes up late for school and quickly rushes to get there. As soon as she arrives, though, she realizes that it's Saturday and there is no school.Dramatic irony: In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Romeo commits suicide in order to be with Juliet; however, the audience (unlike poor Romeo) knows that Juliet is not actually dead—just asleep.

Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is the comparing and contrasting of two or more different (usually opposite) ideas, characters, objects, etc. This literary device is often used to help create a clearer picture of the characteristics of one object or idea by comparing it with those of another. Example: One of the most famous literary examples of juxtaposition is the opening passage from Charles Dickens' novel A Tale of Two Cities: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair ..."

Litotes

Litotes (pronounced lie-toe-teez) is the signature literary device of the double negative. Writers use litotes to express certain sentiments through their opposites, by saying that that opposite is not the case. Don't worry, it makes more sense with the examples. 😉 Examples: "You won't be sorry" (meaning you'll be happy); "you're not wrong" (meaning you're right); "I didn't not like it" (meaning I did)

Malapropism

Malapropism happens when an incorrect word is used in place of a word that has a similar sound. This misuse of the word typically results in a statement that is both nonsensical and humorous; as a result, this device is commonly used in comedic writing. Example: "I just can't wait to dance the flamingo!" Here, a character has accidentally called the flamenco (a type of dance) the flamingo (an animal).

Mood

Mood is the general feeling the writer wants the audience to have. The writer can achieve this through description, setting, dialogue, and word choice. Example: Here's a passage from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit: "It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube-shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats -- the hobbit was fond of visitors." In this passage, Tolkien uses detailed description to set create a cozy, comforting mood. From the writing, you can see that the hobbit's home is well-cared for and designed to provide comfort.

Types of blogs

Narrative-driven This is a straightforward account of what a person has done. This structure focuses on narrating the events of the blogger in chronological order or documentation of an experience in their life. Focuses on events Organizes itself chronologically Opens at the beginning of an event Provides description, explanation, and personal thoughts Relies heavily on personal anecdote Ends with a final thought Thesis-driven This type focuses on expressing a point-of-view to the public, has a thesis, and supported opinions. Blogs tend to be more opinionated than essays. Focuses on ideas and opinions Organizes itself through a reasoned argument Opens with a main idea or thesis Provides points, examples, and explanations Relies on sources and outside opinions Ends with reflection and a final thought

heroic couplets

When the two lines of a rhyming couplet are in iambic pentameter, they are called heroic couplets.

Zoomorphism

Zoomorphism is when you take animal traits and assign them to anything that's not an animal. It's the opposite of anthropomorphism and personification, and can be either a physical manifestation, such as a god appearing as an animal, or a comparison, like calling someone a busy bee. Example: When vampires turn into bats, their bat form is an instance of zoomorphism. Similar terms: anthropomorphism, personification

Parody

a narrative work or writing style that mocks or mimics another genre or work. Typically, parodies exaggerate and emphasize elements from the original work in order to ridicule, comment on, or criticize their message.

omniscient narrator

a narrator who is able to know, see, and tell all, including the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters. A narrator bound to reality can not but be a little apathetic.

limited narrator

a narrator who presents the story as it is seen and understood by a single character and restricts information to what is seen, heard, thought, or felt by that one character

Tone and style of blogs

Narrative-driven Uses past tense Uses time connectives (when I woke up... Later in the day) Descriptive language and details Reported speech (I heard so and so say) Imaginative language Thesis-driven More subjective than essay Uses preset tense Uses more conventional transitions includes outside opinions and sources

Extended metaphor

Occurs when a metaphor is introduced then further developed throughout all, or a protracted part, of a literary work.

Apology

Often at the beginning or conclusion of a text, the term "apology" refers to an instance in which the author or narrator justifies his or her goals in producing the text.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is a word (or group of words) that represents a sound and actually resembles or imitates the sound it stands for. It is often used for dramatic, realistic, or poetic effect. Examples: Buzz, boom, chirp, creak, sizzle, zoom, etc.

Personification

Personification is when a nonhuman figure or other abstract concept or element is described as having human-like qualities or characteristics. (Unlike anthropomorphism where non-human figures become human-like characters, with personification, the object/figure is simply described as being human-like.) Personification is used to help the reader create a clearer mental picture of the scene or object being described. Example: "The wind moaned, beckoning me to come outside." In this example, the wind—a nonhuman element—is being described as if it is human (it "moans" and "beckons").

Repetition

Repetition is when a word or phrase is written multiple times, usually for the purpose of emphasis. It is often used in poetry (for purposes of rhythm as well). Example: When Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the score for the hit musical Hamilton, gave his speech at the 2016 Tony's, he recited a poem he'd written that included the following line: And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside.

Echo

Similarity quality of another through similar techniques.

Symbolism

Symbolism refers to the use of an object, figure, event, situation, or other idea in a written work to represent something else—typically a broader message or deeper meaning that differs from its literal meaning. The things used for symbolism are called "symbols," and they'll often appear multiple times throughout a text, sometimes changing in meaning as the plot progresses. Example: In F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel The Great Gatsby, the green light that sits across from Gatsby's mansion symbolizes Gatsby's hopes and dreams.

Plot:

The sequence of events that occur through a work to produce a coherent narrative or story.

Characterization

The ways individual characters are represented by the narrator or author of a text. This includes descriptions of the characters' physical appearances, personalities, actions, interactions, and dialogue.

Bildungsroman

This is typically a type of novel that depicts an individual's coming-of-age through self-discovery and personal knowledge. Such stories often explore the protagonists' psychological and moral development. Examples include Dickens' Great Expectations and Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

Tmesis

Tmesis is when a word or phrase is broken up by an interjecting word, such as abso-freaking-lutely. It's used to draw out and emphasize the idea, often with a humorous or sarcastic slant. Example: "This is not Romeo, he's some other where." - Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare

Tragicomedy

Tragicomedy is just what it sounds like: a blend of tragedy and comedy. Tragicomedy helps an audience process darker themes by allowing them to laugh at the situation even when circumstances are bleak. Example: Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events uses wordplay, absurd situations, and over-the-top characters to provide humor in an otherwise tragic story.

Theme(term)

What are the main ideas of the text?

Purpose(term)

What does the writer intend to achieve with the text?

Content(term)

What is, when literally interpreted, occurring in the text?

Tone

While mood is what the audience is supposed to feel, tone is the writer or narrator's attitude towards a subject. A good writer will always want the audience to feel the mood they're trying to evoke, but the audience may not always agree with the narrator's tone, especially if the narrator is an unsympathetic character or has viewpoints that differ from those of the reader. Example: In an essay disdaining Americans and some of the sites they visit as tourists, Rudyard Kipling begins with the line, "Today I am in the Yellowstone Park, and I wish I were dead." If you enjoy Yellowstone and/or national parks, you may not agree with the author's tone in this piece.

Audience(term)

Who is the text aimed at?

Diction

Word choice, or the specific language an author, narrator, or speaker uses to describe events and interact with other characters.

existentialism

a philosophical theory or approach which emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will.

capping couplet.

a technique in which Shakespeare rounds off a speech with a rhyming couplet (often a heroic couplet) in order to draw attention to an idea.

polyphonic

having many sounds or voices. In literature, polyphony refers to many voices.

synesthesia

is a rhetorical device that describes or associates one sense in terms of another, most often in the form of a simile. Sensations of touch, taste, see, hear, and smell are expressed as being intertwined or having a connection between them.

Ecocriticism

is the study of literature and the environment from an interdisciplinary point of view, where literature scholars analyze texts that illustrate environmental concerns and examine the various ways literature treats the subject of nature.

bohemian

noun a socially unconventional person, especially one who is involved in the arts. "Warhol and the artists and bohemians he worked with in the 1960s" adjective socially unconventional in an artistic way. "as an opera singer you live a bohemian lifestyle"

Trochee

stressed, unstressed

hard return

there is a "hard return" after every rhyme word, so that the text appears as a column that does not fill the whole page); and 2) the first word of every line is capitalized without regard to standard rules of capitalization. These two printing conventions are a visual clue that a speech is in verse rather than in prose.

Iamb

unstressed, stressed