Unit 4: Part 3 Literary Terms

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. speaker
    the narrative voice of a poem (as distinct from the poet)
    The speaker is the voice of a poem. Often, the speaker is the poet.
  2. archetypal
    of an original pattern on which other things are modeled
    • Archetypal perspective: viewing literature as an expression of archetypes—characters, symbols, or patterns that cross cultures
  3. biographical
    of or relating to an account of a person's life
    • Biographical perspective: viewing literature as an expression of events and issues in a writer's personal life
  4. stanza
    a fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem
    A stanza is a group of lines that forms a division of a poem.
  5. couplet
    a stanza consisting of two successive lines of verse
    Types of stanzas are identified by the number of lines they contain: two lines: couplet
  6. quatrain
    a stanza of four lines
    Types of stanzas are identified by the number of lines they contain: four lines: quatrain
  7. sestet
    a group of six lines of verse
    Types of stanzas are identified by the number of lines they contain: six lines: sestet
  8. octave
    a musical interval of eight tones
    Types of stanzas are identified by the number of lines they contain: eight lines: octave
  9. sonnet
    a verse form of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme
    A sonnet is a fourteen-line lyric poem that follows one of two stanza structures.
  10. imagery
    the use of vivid sensory language in literature
    These poems contain similar types of imagery, or word pictures that appeal to the senses.
  11. autobiography
    a book or account of your own life
    Autobiography is a nonfiction account of a writer's life told in his or her own words.
  12. dialogue
    a conversation between two persons
    • Dialogue: the conversations among people
  13. dialect
    the usage or vocabulary characteristic of a group of people
    • Dialect: the form of a language spoken by people of a particular region or group
  14. genre
    a kind of literary or artistic work
    In a multi-genre response to literature you deliver an interpretation or critical assessment of a literary work in writing and in forms involving video, audio, performance, illustration, or other expressive media.
  15. reflective
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
    Write a reflective essay that tells a story about a moment in your life that inspired you to pursue something you love.
  16. argumentative
    given to or characterized by a tendency to dispute
    An argumentative essay advances a thesis, or position supported by logical reasons.
  17. pronoun
    a function word that is used in place of a noun
    Remember that a pronoun stands for a noun, and the noun is its antecedent.
  18. antecedent
    the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers
    Remember that a pronoun stands for a noun, and the noun is its antecedent.
  19. propaganda
    information that is spread to promote some cause
    Some political ads may use propaganda, or biased content, to damage an opponent's credibility or image.
  20. logical fallacy
    an error in reasoning that undermines an argument
    Such ads may also rely on logical fallacies, which are arguments that sound convincing at first but are based on faulty reasoning.
  21. fallacy
    a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning
    Such ads may also rely on logical fallacies, which are arguments that sound convincing at first but are based on faulty reasoning.
  22. mudslinger
    one who spreads real or alleged scandal about another
    Mud-slinging or Ad Hominem Attacks: These criticize an opponent's character rather than addressing flaws in positions on issues.
  23. ad hominem
    appealing to personal considerations rather than to reason
    Mud-slinging or Ad Hominem Attacks: These criticize an opponent's character rather than addressing flaws in positions on issues.
  24. generalization
    an idea or conclusion having broad application
    Generalizations: Ads may include unfairly simplified descriptions of an opponent or his or her opinions.
Created on Tue Oct 20 08:40:27 EDT 2020 (updated Fri Jun 18 10:00:57 EDT 2021)

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