First published fifty years ago, a glossary of literary terms remains an essential text for all serious students of literature. Now fully updated to reflect the latest scholarship on recent and rapidly evolving critical theories, the tenth edition contains a complete glossary of essential literary terms presented as a series of engaging essays that explore the terms, place them in context, and. Davidson literary devices, techniques, and elements exposition. An exhaustive range of entries, covering numerous aspects to such topics as genre. While fans and collectors in pop culture uses the term to refer to a celebritys signature of his or her name, literary scholars use the term more loosely to refer to any lines of text written in the authors own handincluding marginal notes, bills, and doodling as well as actual, complete literary texts. Literary terms and definitions a carsonnewman college. This is a more direct and preferred style of writing in most cases. Literature definition, writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. Welcome to its tutorial schools comprehensive source of definitions for terms related to english literature. Students are academically engaged when they are participating in activitiesinstruction in a meaningful way and understanding the tasks in. A brief, often implicit and indirect reference within a literary text to something outside the text, whether another text e.
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. Expands on the previous edition to incorporate the most recent literary terminology. Some examples of literary terms for kids can be found here. This list is by no means comprehensive, but instead offers a primer to the language frequently used by scholars and students researching literary works. Literary terms the routledge dictionary of literary termsis a twentyfirst century update of roger fowlers seminal dictionary of modern critical terms. Key literary terms for seventh grade will vary by school, district and state.
The audience knows that she is faithful and iago deceives him. You should be able to use these terms easily and correctly in discussions and in analytical essays. The literal or dictionary meaning of a word, phrase, or clause. This document seeks to provide a succinct definition and an appropriate example of some of the many literary terms and devices which authors use to enhance their work. Knowing these terms will allow you to discuss an authors work at a more sophisticated level as you discuss how an author achieves his or her purpose. The bestselling oxford dictionary of literary terms formerly the concise dictionary provides clear, concise, and often witty definitions of the most troublesome literary terms from abjection to zeugma. Allusion a reference to something wellknown that exists outside the literary work the reference is often indirect and relies on audience knowledge and understanding. Literary devices and terms are the techniques and elementsfrom figures of speech to narrative devices to poetic metersthat writers use to create narrative literature, poetry, speeches, or any other form of writing. English literature dictionary and glossary for students. Literary terms to discuss and analyze literature it is important to know some of the basic terms and expressions used within the subject area. The first chapter consists mostly of exposition, running down the familys history and describing their living conditions. The body of written works of a language, period, or culture. In twains huckleberry finn, the duke is a caricature designed to satirize and create. He edited the oxford book of gothic tales 1992, and is the author of in frankensteins shadow 1987, criticism and literary theory 1890 to the present 1996, and other works of literary history.
Novels, plays, and poetry are referred to as literature, especially when they are. Bringing together original entries written by such celebrated theorists as terry eagleton and malcolm bradbury with new definitions of current terms and controversies, this is the essential. Literary terms for 6th grade language arts sam houston middle school 1. Literary devices and literary terms the complete list.
A genre is a category of literature identified by form, content, and style. To have a better understanding of literary devices, it is useful to look at their definition and examples. Dr baldick is a brewer for specialized tastes times literary supplementthe bestselling oxford dictionary of literary terms formerly the concise dictionary provides clear, concise, and often witty definitions of the most troublesome literary terms from abjection to zeugma. They allow writers and speakers to make comments on society, politics, and trends. A definition based on prototypes 5 rosenblatt in her work the reader, the text, the poem. Literary terms and devices are a collection of universal artistic structures that are typical of all works of literature frequently employed by the writers to give meanings and a logical framework to their works through language. Literary terms have a wide range of application, from the poets beauty, to the speakers persuasion, to the novelists story development. Drama is also a type of a play written for theater, television, radio, and film. All terms will be discussed throughout the year and students are responsible for knowing every term listed in this packet for the final exam. A figure of speech that makes a reference to or a representation of people, places, events, literary works, myths, or works of art, either directly or by implication. This dictionarys virtues and its plainspokenness make it. The name has traditionally been applied to those imaginative works of poetry and prose distinguished by the intentions of their authors and the perceived aesthetic excellence of their execution. Download our english dictionary apps available for both ios and android. A literary work whose content is based on the imagination and not on fact.
The concise oxford dictionary of literary terms chris baldick is professor of english at goldsmiths college, university of london. A brief biography of many well known authors has also been included. Literary terms refer to the technique, style, and formatting used by writers and speakers to masterfully emphasize, embellish, or strengthen their compositions. An exhaustive range of entries, covering numerous aspects to. Direct characterization or direct definition occurs when the narrator explicitly tells what a character is like. In general, students should know the term and how the term applies in literary settings. However, the terms listed here are ones that students should have been taught in earlier grades or terms that might be introduced at this grade level. Lord of the flies alliteration repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together. Pdf ap spanish literature glossary of literary terms. We hope you will find this resource useful as you expose your students to the exciting world of literature in english and in spanish. Below is a list of literary devices with detailed definition and examples. Literary terms and definitions b carsonnewman college. Section two you will have small reading passages and.
Literary terms in this chapter, we sh all present a f ew key term s essential f or f urther deliberations a bout literature. Dec 06, 2012 expands on the previous edition to incorporate the most recent literary terminology. Although the individual entries in th glossarye are in the alphabetic order of their title terms, the large number r of terms are discussed withi texn tht oef thes ene. It covers a wide range of terms, concepts and theories related to english literature. This article will show you the importance of genre and how to use it.
Literary terms are devices used to make writing better. Glossary of reading terms florida center for reading. The term is applied to a number of works in drama and prose fiction which have in common the sense that the human. Different meanings are discovered by taking apart the structure of the language used and exposing the assumption that words have a fixed reference point beyond themselves denouement the final clarification or resolution of a plot in a play or other work derridian dialectic disputation or debate, esp intended to resolve differences between two.
Literary terms page 1 a p literary terms allegory story or poem in which characters, settings, and events stand for other people or events or for abstract ideas or qualities. By using an analogy we can convey a new idea by using the blueprint of an old one as a basis for understanding. New definitions of contemporary critical issues such as cybercriticism and globalization. Caricature a representation of a character in which, in literature, his or her characteristics are exaggerated to produce a comic effect. A dictionary of literary terms and literary theory wiley. Literature definition of literature by the free dictionary. Irony is a broad term that encompasses three different types of irony, each with their own specific definition. Section one matching definition to term not cumulative. Included below is a list of literary terms that can help you interpret, critique, and respond to a variety of different written works. Glossary of literary terms, page 2 of 4 figurative language figyeruhtiv langgwidj. Glossary of rhetorical terms ap english language and composition purpose. A denotation of writing is the representation of ideas through a uniform, symbolic system.
Based on a dictionary of modern critical terms, edited by. Genres allow literary critics and students to classify compositions within the larger canon of literature. Chris baldick is professor of english at goldsmiths college, university of london. Ap glossary of lit and rhetorical terms 1 ap language. Now available in a new, fully updated and expanded edition, it offers readers increased coverage of new terms from modern critical and. If this seems like a loose definition, dont worryit is. The following glossary covers the most widely used terms.
Literary terms 1 index of authors 333 index of terms 349. An allegory generally teaches a lesson by means of an interesting story. Literary terms included below is a list of literary terms that can help you interpret, critique, and respond to a variety of different written works. A dictionary of literary terms and literary theory. And all novels can be analysed and discussed with reference to these elements. Each point of view changes the readers access to the information coming from the characters, and may change the story completely, depending on important factors such as bias and experiences.
An alphabetical listing of difficult, technical, or foreign terms with definitions or translation. The point of view an author chooses to write a narrative from is one of the most important decisions they can make. This is a teachers pay teachers top 100 selling resource that will last you the entire year. A p literary terms houston independent school district. Literary devices and terms definitions and examples litcharts. Guide to literary terms apostrophe a form of direct address spoken by a character to an inanimate object or a person who does not appear. The erroneous use of an object, event, idea, or word that does not belong to the same time period as its context. Imaginative or creative writing, especially of recognized artistic value. Wheelers literature students, and it offers introductory survey information concerning the literature of classical china, classical rome, classical greece, the bible as literature, medieval literature, renaissance literature, and genre studies. In contrast to literary elements, literary techniques are not unavoidable aspect of literary works. Pdf a dictionary of literary terms and literary theory. It is the logical sequence of events that develops a story. The product teaches students various literary terms through the use of modern examples music lyrics, tv. Term definition example 1characterization the,actof,creating,and,developing,acharacter.
Reading and literature a glossary of literary terms 2 style. Further, a good example of a literary text will be written. New material is particularly focused in areas such as gender studies and queer theory, postcolonial theory, poststructuralism, postmodernism, narrative theory, and cultural studies. Nov 25, 2011 just recently i emailed my friend and said funny well, not really how many psychologists, doctors, dieticians, support groups, hospitals, and even a hypnotist, i went to over the years that couldnt help me and all it took in the end was a simple site like this, and a supportive partner. Glossary of reading terms accuracy part of fluency. Literary terms are important in a wide variety of ways. Glossary of rhetorical terms ap english language and. It may be classified according to a variety of systems, including language and genre.
Literary terms literary terms refer to the technique, style, and formatting used by writers and speakers to masterfully emphasize, embellish, or strengthen their compositions. Cuddons dictionary of literary terms and literary theory, we have tried to remain mindful of the fact that we are revising. Literature definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Literary terms to know in seventh grade yourdictionary. Click on any of the 6 terms below to get a complete definition with lots of examples. In shakespeares othello othello blames desdemona for cheating on him. Glossary of dramatic terms 3 anticipated because their knowledge of events or individuals is more complete than the characters. Literary terms can refer to playful techniques employed by comedians to make us laugh or witty.
Oxford dictionary of literary terms oxford reference. This glossary of literary terms is a list of definitions of terms and concepts used in the discussion, classification, analysis, and criticism of all types of literature, such as poetry, novels, and picture books, as well as of grammar, syntax, and language techniques. Chris baldick is professor of english at goldsmiths. Literary terms and definitions d carsonnewman college. The transactional theory of the literary work 1978. The distinctive way that a writer uses language including such factors as word choice, sentence length, arrangement, and complexity, and the use of figurative language and imagery. Literary devices refers to the typical structures used by writers in their works to convey his or her messages in a simple manner to the readers. The reader performs very different activities during aesthetic and non aesthetic readings. Alliteration repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together.
Literary devices, including simile, allusion, and satire, not only give life to our words, but also make us smarter. A glossary of literary terms, seventh edition english literature. An introduction to key concepts and literary terms the novel novels come in all shapes and sizes but all novels contain the same basic elements. The routledge dictionary of literary terms edited by. The best way to learn these terms, or any definitions. When employed properly, the different literary devices help readers to appreciate, interpret and analyze a literary work. Drama is a mode of fictional representation through dialogue and performance. Antagonist character that is the source of conflict in a literary work aside a dramatic device in which a character makes a short speech intended for the audience but not heard by the other characters on stage. Where an author interrupts a story in order to explain something, usually to provide important background information.