Literary Terms

Every discipline has its own technical vocabulary; the study of literature is no different. In order to discuss fiction in an intelligent and competent manner, a familiarity (or literacy) with this vocabulary is crucial. Define each of the following words calling from various sources — reference books, lectures, your own reading — making clear your own understanding of the vocabulary. Feel free to define or add your own terms.

Allegory to Atmosphere

Canon to Convention

Deconstruction to Diatribe

Epic Poetry to Exposition

Flashback to Freytag’s Formula

Genre to Irony

Melodrama to Myth

Narration to Oration

Pace to Protagonist

Reader Response to Rising Action

Satire to Syntax

Text to Zeugma

External Links

Elements of Literature — Lisa R. Lazarescu begins by defining literature, then discusses various key aspects of the study.
Glossary of Literary Terms — Cursory definitions to get you on the right track from McGraw Hill’s Online Learning Center.
Glossary of Literary Terms — from Bedford / St. Martin’s press.
A Glossary of Rhetorical Terms with Examples — by Ross Scaife at the University of Kentucky.
Literary Dictionary — covering poetry, drama, short fiction, the novel, and literary criticism, by the students of Lysbeth Em Benkert-Rasmussen.
Literary Terms — A comprehensive list by the students of Ted Nellen.
Literary Terms — Lilia Melani covers many of the basics in detail.
Virtual Salt — A handbook of rhetorical devices by Robert A. Harris.
Words of Art — A list of terms for the study of art by Robert J. Belton at Okanagan University College.

Credits

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