Vocabulary to Describe Literary Devices

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words only definitions & notes
  1. evoke
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
    Imagery is used in literature to refer to descriptive language that evokes sensory experience.
  2. sensory
    relating to or concerned in sensation
    Imagery is used in literature to refer to descriptive language that evokes sensory experience.
  3. simile
    a figure of speech expressing a resemblance between things
    A simile is a literary device where the writer employs the words "like" or "as" to compare to different
    ideas.
  4. metaphor
    a figure of speech that suggests a non-literal similarity
    A metaphor is similar to a simile, however this literary device makes a comparison without the use of
    "like" or "as".
  5. concrete
    capable of being perceived by the senses
    Concrete detail: A detail in a poem that has a basis in something "real" or tangible, not abstract or
    intellectual
  6. tangible
    perceptible by the senses, especially the sense of touch
    Concrete detail: A detail in a poem that has a basis in something "real" or tangible, not abstract or
    intellectual
  7. abstract
    existing only in the mind
    Concrete detail: A detail in a poem that has a basis in something "real" or tangible, not abstract or
    intellectual
  8. character
    an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction
    Character: The people who inhabit and take part in a story.
  9. characterization
    the act of describing essential features
    Characterization: The author’s means of conveying to the reader a character’s personality, life history,
    values, physical attributes, etc.
  10. attribute
    a quality belonging to or characteristic of an entity
    Characterization: The author’s means of conveying to the reader a character’s personality, life history,
    values, physical attributes, etc.
  11. conflict
    opposition in a work of fiction between characters or forces
    Conflict: A struggle between opposing forces which is the driving force of a story.
  12. resolution
    finding an answer to a problem
    The outcome of any story provides a resolution of the conflict(s); this is what keeps the reader reading.
  13. society
    an extended group having a distinctive cultural organization
    Conflicts can exist between individual characters, between groups of characters, between a character and society, etc.,
    and can also be purely abstract (i.e., conflicting ideas).
  14. dialogue
    a conversation between two persons
    Dialogue: Where characters speak to one another; may often be used to substitute for exposition.
  15. exposition
    a systematic interpretation or explanation of a topic
    Dialogue: Where characters speak to one another; may often be used to substitute for exposition.
  16. figurative
    not literal
    Figurative language: Any use of language where the intended meaning differs from the actual literal
    meaning of the words themselves.
  17. literal
    limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text
    Figurative language: Any use of language where the intended meaning differs from the actual literal
    meaning of the words themselves.
  18. hyperbole
    extravagant exaggeration
    There are many techniques which can rightly be called figurative language, including metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, and verbal irony.
  19. personification
    attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas
    Personification: Where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are seemingly endowed with human
    self-awareness; where human thoughts, actions,
    perceptions and emotions are directly attributed to
    inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
  20. irony
    incongruity between what might be expected and what occurs
    Verbal irony: Where the meaning of a specific expression is, or is intended to be, the exact opposite of
    what the words literally mean.
  21. recurring
    coming back
    Also refers to specific and recurring types of images, such as food imagery and nature imagery.
  22. inanimate
    not endowed with life
    Personification: Where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are seemingly endowed with human
    self-awareness; where human thoughts, actions, perceptions and emotions are directly attributed to
    inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
  23. endowed
    provided or supplied or equipped with
    Personification: Where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are seemingly endowed with human
    self-awareness; where human thoughts, actions, perceptions and emotions are directly attributed to
    inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
  24. plot
    the story that is told, as in a novel, play, movie, etc.
    Most literary essay tasks will instruct the writer to “avoid plot summary;” the term is therefore rarely useful for response or critical analysis.
  25. recapitulate
    summarize briefly
    When discussing plot, it is generally more useful to consider and analyze its
    structure, rather than simply recapitulate “what happens.”
  26. point of view
    a mental position from which things are perceived
    Point of view: The identity of the narrative voice; the person or entity through whom
    the reader experiences the story (may be third person or first person)
  27. narrative
    an account that tells the particulars of an act or event
    Point of view: The identity of the narrative voice; the person or entity through whom
    the reader experiences the story (may be third person or first person)
  28. entity
    that which is perceived to have its own distinct existence
    Point of view: The identity of the narrative voice; the person or entity through whom
    the reader experiences the story (may be third person or first person)
  29. setting
    the context and environment in which something is situated
    Setting: The time and place where a story occurs.
  30. symbolism
    artistic movement expressing ideas through the use of images
    Symbolism: The use of specific objects or images to represent abstract ideas.
  31. symbolize
    express indirectly by an image, form, or model
    A symbol must be something tangible or visible, while the idea it symbolizes must be something abstract or universal.
  32. universal
    applicable to or common to all members of a group or set
    A symbol must be something tangible or visible, while the idea it symbolizes must be something abstract or universal.
  33. theme
    a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary work
    Theme: The main idea or message conveyed by the piece.
  34. motif
    a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work
    A theme should generally be expressed as a complete sentence; an idea expressed by a single word or fragmentary phrase is usually a motif.
  35. tone
    a quality that reveals the attitudes of the author
    Tone: The apparent emotional state, or “attitude,” of the speaker/narrator/narrative voice, as conveyed
    through the language of the piece.
Created on Tue Apr 09 22:08:20 EDT 2013 (updated Tue Apr 09 22:18:16 EDT 2013)

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