Mr. Walker Vocab

Fable

A brief story that leads to a moral, often using animals as characters; a concise and brief story intended to provide a moral lesson at the end

Aphorism

A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life; a short statement of truth or opinion expressed in a humorous and witty manner. The term is often applied to philosophical, moral, and literary principles - Actions speak louder than words

Genre

A category or type of literature (or of art, music, etc.) characterized by a particular form, style, or content; characterized by a specific form, content, and style - Jazz music

Foil

A character who is in most ways opposite to the main character (protagonist) or one who is nearly the same as the protagonist. The purpose of this character is to emphasize the traits of the main character by contrast only; a character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character - Romeo and Mercutio

Figurative Language

Language that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling; use of figures of speech to be more effective, persuasive, and impactful - (see picture(s))

Free Verse

Poetry that does not have a regular meter or rhyme scheme; - (see picture(s))

Allusion

a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance - Don't act like a Romeo in front of her

Epitaph

a brief statement written on a tomb or gravestone; a short written tribute in poetry or prose in memory of a deceased person. The more common definition of epitaph is that of the inscription on a tombstone; a brief and concise commemorative inscription engraved on the tombstone of a dead person

Antagonist

a character, or a group of characters, which stands in opposition to the protagonist, which is the main character; the rival -The wolf is this literary device in "The Three Little Pigs."

Analogy

a comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it - see pic(s)

Exposition

a comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory; literary device used to introduce background information about events, settings, characters, or other elements of a work to the audience or readers - (see picture(s))

Alliteration

stylistic device in which a number of words, having the same first consonant sound, occur close together in a series - She sells seashells by the sea-shore

Denouement

an outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot; the resolution of the issue of a complicated plot in fiction. The majority of examples of this literary device show the resolution in the final part or chapter, often in an epilogue ***NOTE: When a heart-racing climax has created anxiety and excitement, this literary device provides the audience a chance to breathe a sigh of relief. - The Epilogue of the book Kindred by Octavia Butler reveals the loss of Dana's arm

Evocative

bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind; a useful term to describe the style of writing that provides the reader the enjoyment of satisfied senses. Perhaps, this could be a recollection of a past memory, but it may also elude to a new and yet unexperienced sensations created by a writer with a superb imagination ***NOTE: Think of nostalgia :P

Colloquialism

informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing; use of informal words, phrases, or even slang in a piece of writing. These expressions tend to sneak in as writers, being part of a society, are influenced by the way people speak in that society. Naturally, they are bound to add colloquial expressions to their vocabulary (SLANG) - A series set in the 80s in which one says "gag me with a spoon." - "ain't" and "gonna"

Didactic

intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive; a type of literature that is written to inform or instruct the reader, especially in moral or political lessons - cookbook - every how-to book

Hyperbole

involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis - (see picture(s))

Anachronism

is an error of chronology or timeline in a literary piece. In other words, anything that is out of time and out of place is an anachronism -If a movie about ancient Egypt showed a Pharaoh wearing a wristwatch

Farce

A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose; literary genre and type of comedy that makes use of highly exaggerated and funny situations aimed at entertaining the audience; uses elements like physical humor, deliberate absurdity, bawdy jokes, and drunkenness just to make people laugh. We often see one‑dimensional characters in ludicrous situations in farces - (see picture(s))

Apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love; a figure of speech sometimes represented by an exclamation, such as "Oh." A writer or speaker, using this literary device, speaks directly to someone who is not present or is dead, or speaks to an inanimate object - Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. - O holy night! The stars are brightly shining!

Comedy

A literary work which ends happily because the hero or heroine is able to overcome obstacles and get what he or she wants; a literary genre and a type of dramatic work that is amusing and satirical in its tone, mostly having a cheerful ending - William Shakespeare's play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, is a good example of this genre, presenting young lovers falling comically in and out of love for a brief period. Their real world problems get resolved magically, enemies reconcile, and true lovers unite in the end.

Foreshadowing

A narrative device that hints at coming events; often builds suspense or anxiety in the reader - (see picture(s))

Dialect

A regional variety of a language distinguished by vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation; the language used by the people of a specific area, class, district, or any other group of people. The term dialect involves the spelling, sounds, grammar and pronunciation used by a particular group of people and it distinguishes them from other people around them

Chiasmus

A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed; a rhetorical device in which a sentence or phrase is followed by a sentence or phrase that reverses the structure and order of the first one; In this statement, the words do not have to be repeated-the second sentence does not just reverse the words of the first sentence. Different words can be used. The key is that the sentence is grammatically the same, just reversed - Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate - We shape our buildings, and afterward our buildings shape us.

Conflict

A struggle between opposing forces; a literary element that involves a struggle between two opposing forces, usually a protagonist and an antagonist - Story in which a superhero and villain go head to head, one to protect and one to endanger the human race.

Connotation

All the meanings, associations, or emotions that a word suggests; a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it describes explicitly. Words carry cultural and emotional associations or meanings, in addition to their literal meanings - The word "slave" is a negative connotation due to its historical significance. - "He's such a dog." - In this sense, the word dog connotes shamelessness, or ugliness. - "What do you expect from a politician?" - Politician has a negative connotation of wickedness and insincerity. To imply sincerity, the word statesperson might be used. - "That woman is so pushy!" - Pushy refers to someone who is loud-mouthed, insisting, and irritating.

Euphemism

An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant; polite, indirect expressions that replace words and phrases considered harsh and impolite, or which suggest something unpleasant. Euphemism is an idiomatic expression, which loses its literal meanings and refers to something else, in order to hide its unpleasantness and may be in the form of abbreviations in certain instances - (see picture(s))

Contrast

The state of being noticeably different from something else when put or considered together; rhetorical device through which writers identify differences between two subjects, places, persons, things, or ideas. Simply, it is a type of opposition between two objects, highlighted to emphasize their differences (writers use phrases and words to indicate a contrast such as but, yet, however, instead, in contrast, nevertheless, on the contrary, and unlike) - Unlike his mother, the child learned English quickly.

Dichotomy

Two opposite parts of one whole; literary technique that divides a thing into two equal and contradictory parts, or between two opposing groups. In literary works, writers use this technique for creating conflicts in their stories and plays. Its common examples in literature are good and evil, soul and body, real and imaginary, heaven and hell, male and female, and savage and civilized, among others. Often, these appear in a single character; however, sometimes writers use separate characters for representing opposing ideas - We need to improve infrastructure of this country; therefore, we will have to raise taxes. - The income of this company is increasing; while its revenue, on the other hand, is decreasing.

Apologia

a defense of one's conduct or opinions but in many cases is the precise opposite of an apology ... in this literary device, you're defending yourself, either by saying that what you did wasn't wrong or denying that you were responsible for what happened - A field of study in which one defend's their faith, theology, or philosophy

Epic

a long narrative poem, which is usually related to heroic deeds of a person of an unusual courage and unparalleled bravery. In order to depict this bravery and courage, the epic uses grandiose style ***NOTE: Think of Odysseus from The Odessey - A long poetic story of a hero overcoming various obstacles and enemies to save the princess

Fallacy

a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument; an erroneous argument dependent upon an unsound or illogical contention (witty, sarcastic, annoying statements)

Cliché

a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought; may also refer to actions and events that are predictable because of some previous events (All examples of this device are expressions that were once new and fresh) - Happy Birthday

Elegy

a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead; a poem or song in the form of couplets, written in honor of someone deceased. It typically laments or mourns the death of the individual - (see picture(s))

Antithesis

a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect - Many are called, but few are chosen

Flashback

a scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story; interruptions that writers do to insert past events, in order to provide background or context to the current events of a narrative - As the princess looked upon the landscape, she was taken back to a time in which her parents were still alive. During this flashback of five years ago, she remembered her father's smile with a single dimple and her mother's beautiful skin and freckles. If they had not died, she would not have had to live with her abusive aunt. - (see picture(s))

Anecdote

a short and interesting story, or an amusing event, often proposed to support or demonstrate some point, and to make the audience laugh; An anecdote is a short story about a real person or event, usually serving to make the listeners laugh or ponder over a topic. - Is that a white rose? Wow! I love them. My grandfather had a massive rose garden, over 200 different species. Every Friday, he'd go out into the garden, clip a dozen, and make my grandmother a bouquet. Does love like that exist anymore

Expressionism

a style of painting, music, or drama in which the artist or writer seeks to express emotional experience rather than impressions of the external world; revolt against realism and naturalism, seeking to achieve a psychological or spiritual reality rather than record external events in logical sequence

Gothic Tale

a tale which includes some of the following elements: medieval settings; atmosphere of gloom, horror, desolation, decay; the irrational; mysterious and violent incidents; a style of writing that is characterized by elements of fear or death and gloom as well as romantic elements such as nature, individuality, and high emotion

Epigram

a witty saying expressing a single thought or observation; a short but insightful statement, often in verse form, which communicates a thought in a witty, paradoxical, or funny way - (see picture(s))

Ambiguity

a word, phrase, or statement which contains more than one meaning ... words or statements lead to vagueness and confusion, and shape the basis for instances of unintentional humor - Sarah gave a bath to her dog wearing a pink t-shirt.

Dogmatic

stubbornly opinionated; strong expression of opinions as if they were facts - She is clearly the best candidate for the presidential election.

Dialectics

the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions; opposing motivations that contradict one another; the practice of arriving at a conclusion by the exchange of logical arguments, usually in the form of questions and answers ***NOTE: Think of those stupid dialectical journals that we were forced to do in the past :P - Philosophy - Theology

Diction

the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing; style of speaking or writing, determined by the choice of words by a speaker or a writer. The literary device meaning choice of words, often separates good writing from bad writing. It depends on a number of factors. Firstly, the word has to be right and accurate. Secondly, words should be appropriate to the context in which they are used. Lastly, the choice of words should be such that the listener or reader understands easily - "ye" rather than "you" or "thou" rather than "you" in a passage from before the 1900s

Anaphora

the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect - Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better.

Denotation

the literal meaning of a word; literal or dictionary meanings of a word in contrast to its associated meanings - In a dictionary, the word "dog" means a domesticated carnivorous mammal, but in literature, a dog represents unattractiveness in behavior or appearance. - In another example, imagine a drawing with two trees—in one tree is a cat, and at the bottom of the other tree is a dog barking. The caption reads: You are barking up the wrong tree, Buddy! Here, the joke lies in the phrase's denotative meaning—the dog is literally barking up the wrong tree, because the cat is in the other tree. However, without the picture, we would understand this phrase by its connotative meaning, which is to mistakenly pursue the wrong thing.

Climax

the most intense, exciting, or important point of something; a culmination or apex; that particular point in a narrative at which the conflict or tension hits the highest point - In Romeo and Juliet, it is often recognized as being the moment when Romeo kills Tybalt. At this point, Romeo is doomed and the play begins the downfall of the young protagonist. This downfall eventually leads to his tragic death. - In Homer's The Odyssey, it is when Odysseus passes the test of stringing the bow and stands before the suitors ready to attack. This climatic moment transitions into the falling action where Odysseus regains his kingdom.

Falling Action

the parts of a story after the climax and before the very end; refers to the part of the story after the climax where the conflicts and problems in the story have already come to a head and now the characters are working to resolve conflicts ***NOTE: It is when the conflict is working TO BE dissolved. It has not necessarily been dissolved yet.

Classicism

the principles and styles admired in the classics of Greek and Roman literature, such as objectivity, sensibility, restraint, and formality; a style in literature, visual art, music, or architecture that draws on the styles of ancient Greece and Rome, especially fifth- and fourth-century b.c.e. Athens and late Republican Augustan Rome; can refer to a general aesthetic characterized by clarity, elegance, and symmetry, or to a style that is generally thought of as exemplifying greatness or perfection - (see picture(s)) -characteristics normally associated with the art of antiquity—harmony, clarity, restraint, universality, and idealism.

Characterization

the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character; literary device that is used step-by-step in literature to highlight and explain the details about a character in a story. It is in the initial stage in which the writer introduces the character with noticeable emergence - In the iconic movie Titanic, Jack is at the bottom of the social ladder and therefore was not the ideal lover for Rose's family's standards.