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
- deconstruction
- <i>dénouement</i>
- description
- <i>deus ex machina</i>
- diatribe
Epic Poetry to Exposition
Flashback to Freytag’s Formula
Genre to Irony
- genre
- <i>hamartia</i>
- hero
- heroic ideal
- hubris
- hypertext
- imagery
- inciting action
- <i>in medias res</i>
- 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
- See the LitWiki Community Portal