Literary Terms: Difference between revisions

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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. This project was started by my Introduction to Literature class at USF, during the fall of 2000. Feel free to define or add your own 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. This project was started by my Introduction to Literature class at USF, during the fall of 2000. Feel free to define or add your own terms.
== Allegory to Atmosphere ==


* [[allegory]]
* [[allegory]]
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* [[archetype]]
* [[archetype]]
* [[atmosphere]]
* [[atmosphere]]
== Canon to Convention ==
* [[canon]]
* [[canon]]
* <i>[[catharsis]]</i>
* <i>[[catharsis]]</i>
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* [[conflict]]
* [[conflict]]
* [[convention]]
* [[convention]]
== Deconstruction to Diatribe ==
* [[deconstruction]]
* [[deconstruction]]
* <i>[[dénouement]]</i>
* <i>[[dénouement]]</i>
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* <i>[[deus ex machina]]</i>
* <i>[[deus ex machina]]</i>
* [[diatribe]]
* [[diatribe]]
== Epic Poetry to Exposition ==
* [[Epic Poetry | epic poetry]]
* [[Epic Poetry | epic poetry]]
* [[epigraph]]
* [[epigraph]]
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* [[exegesis]]
* [[exegesis]]
* [[exposition]]
* [[exposition]]
== Flashback to Freytag’s Formula ==
* [[flashback]]
* [[flashback]]
* [[foil]]
* [[foil]]
* [[foreshadowing]]
* [[foreshadowing]]
* [[Freytag’s Formula]]
* [[Freytag’s Formula]]
== Genre to Irony ==
* [[genre]]
* [[genre]]
* <i>[[hamartia]]</i>
* <i>[[hamartia]]</i>
* [[hubris]]
* [[hubris]]
* [[hypertext]]
* [[hypertext]
* [[imagery]]
* [[imagery]]
* [[inciting action]]
* [[inciting action]]
* <i>[[in medias res]]</i>
* <i>[[in medias res]]</i>
* [[irony]]
* [[irony]]
* [[mellodrama]]
 
== Melodrama to Myth ==
 
* [[melodrama]]
* [[metaphor]]
* [[metaphor]]
* [[metonymy]]
* [[metonymy]]
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* [[mood]]
* [[mood]]
* [[myth]]
* [[myth]]
== Narration to Oration ==
* [[narration]]
* [[narration]]
* [[narrative]]
* [[narrative]]
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* [[onomatopoeia]]
* [[onomatopoeia]]
* [[oration]]
* [[oration]]
== Pace to Protagonist ==
* [[pace]]
* [[pace]]
* [[paradox]]
* [[paradox]]
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* [[prose]]
* [[prose]]
* [[protagonist]]
* [[protagonist]]
== Reader Response to Rising Action ==
* [[Reader Response Criticism]]
* [[Reader Response Criticism]]
* [[resolution]]
* [[resolution]]
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* [[rhyme]]
* [[rhyme]]
* [[rising action]]
* [[rising action]]
== Satire to Syntax ==
* [[satire]]
* [[satire]]
* [[science fiction]]
* [[science fiction]]
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* [[symbol]]
* [[symbol]]
* [[syntax]]
* [[syntax]]
==Text to Zeugma ==
* [[text]]
* [[text]]
* [[theme]]
* [[theme]]
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* [[trope]]
* [[trope]]
* [[verisimilitude]]
* [[verisimilitude]]
* [[zeugma]]


== External Links ==
== External Links ==
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* [http://www.virtualsalt.com/rhetoric.htm Virtual Salt] — A handbook of rhetorical devices by Robert A. Harris.
* [http://www.virtualsalt.com/rhetoric.htm Virtual Salt] — A handbook of rhetorical devices by Robert A. Harris.
* [http://www.arts.ouc.bc.ca/fiar/glossary/gloshome.html Words of Art] — A list of terms for the study of art by Robert J. Belton at Okanagan University College.
* [http://www.arts.ouc.bc.ca/fiar/glossary/gloshome.html Words of Art] — A list of terms for the study of art by Robert J. Belton at Okanagan University College.
== Bibliography ==

Revision as of 13:19, 9 October 2004

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. This project was started by my Introduction to Literature class at USF, during the fall of 2000. 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

Bibliography