English Exam Review

• Allusion


  Allusion is when a writer references another work of art, culture, or history within their writing. 
• Alliteration


  Alliteration involves repeating initial consonant sounds in close proximity within a sentence or phrase. It adds rhythm and musicality to writing, making it more memorable and engaging.
• Foreshadowing


  Foreshadowing involves hinting at future events or outcomes within a story. It builds anticipation and suspense, preparing the audience for what is to come.
• Imagery


  Imagery refers to using vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a mental picture for the reader. By painting a detailed picture of the setting, characters, and events, you accomplish the classic advice of “show, don’t tell.”
• Personification


  Personification involves attributing human qualities or characteristics to non-human things, like objects, animals, or abstract concepts. It gives these entities human-like traits, behaviors, or emotions, making them more relatable and accessible to the reader’s imagination.
• Metaphor


  A metaphor implies a direct comparison without using “like” or “as.”
• Simile 


  similes use words "like" or "as" to establish the connection more explicitly.
• Iambic Pentameter


  An IP is a poetry that consists of ten syllables alternating between stressed and unstressed.
• Sonnet


  Sonnets have 14 lines, iambic pentameter, and strict rhyme scheme.

  (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG)
• Soliloquy


  When one character is alone on stage giving a speech. The speech is long and represents characters innermost feelings.

  Solo = soliloquy
• Aside


  There are multiple characters on stage, and one speaks but only the audience is meant to hear.
• Dramatic Irony


  When the audience or reader knows what's coming, but the character does not. *Suspense
• Comic Relief


  Is a funny or lighthearted scene following a sad or tense scene.
• Tragic Hero


  A protagonist whom the audience identifies. They will fail either because fate wills it or because of a tragic flaw. Usually they are upper class (nobility) and is calm in the face of death.
• Antagonist


  The are the villain who is the person or force that the protagonist is up against. Does not have to be human.
• Foil


  When two characters, through contrast highlight the others character traits.
• Tragic Flaw


  A tragic flaw is a deficiency or imperfection in a character that leads to the hero's downfall in a tragic literary work.
• Stanza 


  A group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem; a verse.
• Pun


  A humorous play on two or more meanings of the same word or on two different words with the same sound.
• Epic Simile


  Extended simile often running to several lines.
• Theme


  A theme is a universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature.
• Epithet


  Brief descriptive phrases used to characterize a particular person or thing. Often used as to identify a character as the "Son of..."
• Tragedy


  A drama that ends in a catastrophe, most often a death.
• POV


  The method of narration used in a short story, poem, nonfiction, etc.

  1st person, 2nd person, 3rd person.
• Epic Hero Traits


  The hero possesses superhuman strength, craftiness, and confidence.
• Verbal Irony


  Saying one thing but meaning the opposite. (Sarcasm)
• Situational Irony


  Is a form of irony in which something takes place that is different or the opposite of what is expected to happen.
• Blind as a bat.

  Simile
• Light as a feather


  Simile
• Like watching paint dry.


  Simile
• Slept like a log.


  Simile
• Is there a black sheep in your family?

  Metaphor
• Laughter is the best medicine.

  Metaphor
• Time is money.


  Metaphor
• She has a heart of gold.


  Metaphor
• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

  Alliteration
• Sally sells seashells by the sea shore.

  Alliteration
• How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?


  Alliteration
• Donald Duck


  Alliteration
• You don’t have to be William Shakespeare to write poetry.


  Allusion