Definitions

• What is alliteration?


  The repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of words in close succession.
• What is an allusion?

  An indirect reference to a concept or theme without explicit mention.
• What does antithesis mean?

  The direct opposite of a concept or person.
• What is an archetype?

  A typical example of something, usually a personality type, with clear, recognisable characteristics.
• What is a caricature?

  An imitation where particular notable characteristics are exaggerated to a comic or grotesque effect.
• What is a colloquialism?

  An informal word or phrase used in normal or familiar conversation.
• What does connotation refer to?

  An impression, idea, or feeling associated with a word or phrase beyond its literal meaning.
• What is dramatic irony?

  When the audience knows more about a situation than the characters discussing or experiencing it.
• What does dichotomy mean?

  A division or contrast between two opposed things.
• What is an epithet?


  Referring to a person or thing with an adjective or phrase that describes a defining characteristic.
• What does epitome mean?

  A perfect example or embodiment of a concept.
• What is a euphemism?


  The replacement of a crude or offensive expression with a more vague, mild expression.
• What does foreshadowing mean?


  Giving a hint or warning of a future event, either explicitly or implicitly.
• What does grotesque refer to?

  Ugly and distorted, physically or figuratively, in a way that is comic or repulsive.
• What is hyperbole?

  Exaggerating in a way that should not be taken literally.
• What does imagery mean?

  Using language to create a visual picture.
• What is innuendo?

  An implicit remark or hint, particularly one that is supposed to be suggestive or inappropriate.
• What is an interjection?


  A sudden remark, used often as an interruption or aside in a text.
• What does juxtaposition mean?

  Two contrasting concepts or characters placed close together in a text.
• What is a manifestation?

  A physical expression or realization of an abstract idea through a character, object, place, or event.
• What is a metaphor?

  Describing a person, object, or concept as something it cannot literally be, but that has recognizable and defining implications for it.
• What is an oxymoron?

  A figure of speech where two contradictory terms are used in succession.
• What is a parody?

  Imitating a particular style, genre, or piece of work with deliberate exaggeration to create a comic effect.
• What is sarcasm?

  Saying the opposite of what one means or something that is obviously not true or reasonable, in order to mock or show contempt.
• What is satire?

  Using irony, exaggeration, humour, or ridicule to criticize someone’s stupidity or cruel behaviour, particularly in a political context.
• What is a semantic field?

  Using words that are linked by a particular concept, context, or connotation throughout a text or a section of a text.
• What is sibilance?


  The repetition of an “s” sound in a word, sentence, or section of text.
• What is a simile?

  Comparing something to something else in a nonliteral way, in order to convey a particular idea or quality about the original thing.
• What is situational irony?


  When the outcome of an event is different than what was expected by the characters and the audience.
• What is symbolism?

  Using a character, object, or event to represent something else, particularly an abstract idea.
• What is book-ending?

  Starting and ending a piece of literature with the same word, sentence, event, or idea.
• What is a Chinese Box Narrative?

  A story told within a story, often through different perspectives and forms.
• What does chronological mean?

  When events are told in the order they occurred.
• What does cyclical mean?

  When the same sequence of events repeats throughout a story.
• What is exposition?


  Information provided through stage directions, narration, dialogue, or description, used to introduce the audience to crucial background information.
• What does in media res mean?

  Starting in the middle of the action.
• What is parallelism?

  Using components that are similar in grammar, structure, or meaning within a sentence or multiple sentences, or throughout the text as a whole.
• What is a refrain?

  A word, phrase, or sentence that is repeated throughout a text.
• What is a tricolon?

  Three parallel clauses, words, or phrases in quick succession.
• What is an allegory?


  A story, character, place, or event used to convey a hidden meaning, typically moral or political, about real-world events or issues.