Literary Terms 1

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Quiz 9/29/06

Allusion: a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication: an allusion to Shakespeare. (Noun)
An instance of indirect reference (Noun) [Comes from 1540 – 50, Late Latin.]


Analysis: the separating of any material or abstract entity into its constituent elements (Noun); (2) this process as a method of studying the nature of something or of determining its essential features and their relations (Noun); (3) a presentation, usually in writing, of the results of this process (noun) [Comes from 1575-85, Greek to New Latin]

Anecdote: a short account of an interesting, humorous event
[Fr. <>Appeal: an earnest or urgent request, entreaty or supplication.]
[Lat. Appellure- to entreat]

Appreciation: (1) Recognition of the quality, value, significance, or magnitude of people and things; (2) A judgment or opinion, especially a favorable one; (3) An expression of gratitude

Aphorism: (1) a tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion, especially a favorable one. (2) a brief statement of a principle. [French aphorisme, from Old French, from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos, from aphorisein, to delimit, define: apo + horizein, to delimit, define]

Cautionary Tale: A narrative with a moral message warning of the consequences of certain actions or character flaws. Functions to proved listeners of the tale with a moral lesson. It also warns the listener of impending danger.

Ode: noun - a lyric poem typically of elaborate or irregular metrical form and expressive of exalted or enthusiastic emotion.
(originally) a poem intended to be sung.
[Origin: 1580–90]

Parable: noun -a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson; (2) a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like. [Origin: 1275–1325; ME parabil]

Paradox: any person, thing, or situation exhibiting an apparently contradictory nature.

Parody: any humorous, satirical, or burlesque imitation, as of a person, event, etc.

Pastiche: (1) a literary, musical, or artistic piece consisting wholly or chiefly of motifs or techniques borrowed from one or more sources; (2) an incongruous combination of materials, forms, motifs, etc., taken from different sources; hodgepodge; (3) a dramatic, literary, or musical piece openly imitating the previous works of other artists, often with satirical intent.
[French from Italian pasticcio (a work or style produced by borrowing fragments, ingredients, or motifs from various sources; a potpourri.)]

Philosophy: (1) the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct; (2) any of the three branches, namely natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysical philosophy, that are accepted as composing this study; (3) a system of philosophical doctrine; (4) the critical study of the basic principles and concepts of a particular branch of knowledge, esp. with a view to improving or reconstituting them [Middle English from Old French from Latin from Greek]

Precept: (1) a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct; (2) a written order issued pursuant to law, as a sheriff's order for an election; (3) doctrine that is taught; "the teachings of religion" [Comes from Latin to Old French to Middle English during 1300-1350]


Proclamation: a public and official announcement; something that is announced or declared in an official or formal manner. [Comes from Middle English during 1350-1400]

Prophesy: The prediction of future events. The etymology of the word is Greek, from pro- "before" plus the root of phanai "speak", i.e. "speaking before" or "foretelling" (proclamation).

Question: a linguistic expression that will often request information in the form of an answer. [The etymology c.1300, from Anglo-Fr. questiun, O.Fr. question "legal inquest," from L. querionem (nom. querio) "a seeking, inquiry," from root of quere (pp. quertus) "ask, seek."]

Query: a question or inquiry. [The word is derived from the Latin verbquaerere.]

Rant: (1) speaking or writing in an angry or violent manner; (2) to talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner; (3) to scold vehemently (4) transitive verb : to utter in a bombastic declamatory fashion [Etymology: obsolete Dutch ranten, randen intransitive verb

Recount: To relate in detail; describe, narrate [Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French recunter, from re- + cunter to count, relate]

Revelation: (1) an act of revealing or communicating divine truth b: something that is revealed by God to humans; (2) an act of revealing to view or making known; (3) something that is revealed; especially : an enlightening or astonishing disclosure [Etymology: Middle English revelacioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin revelation, revelatio, from Latin revelare to reveal]

Literary Terms 2

Literary Terms – Quiz 9/22/06

1. Critique: a critical review or commentary especially dealing with works of art and literature.
2. Description: a process of describing or a statement or picture in words or account that describes discriptive representation.
3. Diatribe: a prolonged discourse, a bitter and abusive speech or writing, and ironic or satirical criticism.
4. Dialogue: a written composition in which two or more characters are represented as conversing, a conversation between two or more persons; also: a similar exchange between a person and something else, an exchange of ideas and opinions, a discussion between representative of parties to a conflict that is aimed at resolution, the conversational element of literary or dramatic composition
5. Didactic: an adjective meaning skillful in teaching; it is used to describe a piece of writing that conveys instruction or teaches a moral lesson.
6. Dream vision: a narrative poem where the main character falls asleep and experiences events that have some kind of significance. This style of writing can be especially found in Medieval literature.
7. Encomium: a prose or poetic work in which a person, thing, or abstract idea is glorified. Originally an encomium was a Greek choral song honoring the hero of the Olympic Games and sung at the victory celebration at the end of the Games. The Greek writers Simonides of Ceos and Pindar wrote some of the earliest of these original encomia. The term later took on the broader meaning of any composition of a laudatory nature. Verse forms of the encomium include the epinicion and the ode.
8. Episode: a usually brief unit of action in a dramatic or literary work; (2) the part of an ancient Greek tragedy between two choric songs; (3) a developed situation that is integral to but separable from a continuous narrative; (4) one of a series of loosely connected stories or scenes.
9. Exclamation: (1) the use of an exclamatory phrase, as in “O tempora! O mores!”; (2)The act of exclaiming; loud complaint or protest; outcry
10. Etymology: (1) the derivation or a word; an account of the history of a particular word purpose: the study of the true meanings and values of words
11. Fable: (1) a short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters; apologue: the fable of the tortoise and the hare, Aesop's fables; (2) a story not founded on fact; (3) a story about supernatural or extraordinary persons or incidents; (4) legend: the fables of gods and heroes.
12. History: a drama representing historical events; (2) the record of past events and times, especially in connection with the human race; (3) a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account
13. Homage: special honor or respect shown or expressed publicly
14. Jeremiad: a bitter lament or righteous prophecy of doom
15. Journal-like: Writing style characteristic of a journal in topic, style, and structure, and often includes instances, records, facts or observations.
16. Journalistic: Relating to or dealing with the collection, verification, declaration, and analysis of information.
17. Lecture: (1) a speech read or delivered before an audience or class, esp. for instruction or to set forth some subject; (2) a speech of warning or reproof as to conduct; a long, tedious reprimand.
18. Lesson: (1) something to be learned or studied; (2) a reproof or punishment intended to teach one better ways; (3) to admonish or reprove.
19. Meditation: a contemplation of some physical object as a way of reflecting upon some larger truth, often (but not necessarily) a spiritual one.
20. Memoir: a form of autobiographical writing dealing usually with the recollections of one who has been a part of or has witnessed significant events. However, it differs from a traditional autobiography because it is more concerned with other people’s personalities and actions instead of the author’s. Since the term “autobiography” didn’t come into use until the nineteenth century, some works that we call now “autobiography” were called memoirs by their author. Ex: Benjamin Franklin.