Glossary
Diction
An author's specific word choice, which significantly contributes to the tone, mood, and overall meaning of a text.
Example:
The poet's precise diction, choosing words like "fragile" and "ephemeral," conveyed a sense of delicate beauty and fleeting existence.
Figurative Language
Language that uses figures of speech to go beyond the literal meaning of words, creating deeper meaning, imagery, or emotional impact.
Example:
Similes, metaphors, and personification are common forms of figurative language that poets use to enrich their work.
Hyperbole
An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or dramatic effect, not intended to be taken literally.
Example:
When the student said, "I have a mountain of homework to do tonight," they were using hyperbole to express the overwhelming amount of work.
Imagery
The use of descriptive language and sensory details (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) to create vivid mental pictures and evoke emotions in the reader.
Example:
The author's description of the "velvet darkness of the night" and the "whispering leaves" created a strong sense of peaceful imagery.
Literary Devices
Techniques or tools used by writers to create a particular effect, convey meaning, or enhance the reader's experience.
Example:
Metaphor, irony, and foreshadowing are all examples of literary devices that enrich a narrative and deepen its impact.
Mood
The atmosphere or emotional feeling that a literary work evokes in the reader, often created through setting, imagery, and diction.
Example:
The eerie silence and flickering candlelight in the old mansion created a suspenseful and unsettling mood.
Symbolism
The use of objects, people, or ideas to represent something else, often a deeper, abstract concept or quality.
Example:
In The Scarlet Letter, the letter 'A' worn by Hester Prynne is a powerful symbolism of sin, shame, and ultimately, resilience.
Syntax
The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences; it refers to sentence structure and how it affects meaning, rhythm, and emphasis.
Example:
The long, complex syntax of the opening sentence mirrored the character's convoluted thoughts and internal struggle.
Theme
The central, underlying message or insight about life, society, or human nature that the author conveys in a literary work.
Example:
A prominent theme in 1984 is the danger of totalitarianism and the suppression of individual thought.
Tone
The author's or speaker's attitude toward the subject, audience, or characters, conveyed through word choice and style.
Example:
Despite the tragic events, the narrator maintained an optimistic tone, suggesting hope even in despair.
Understatement
The intentional minimization of something, often to create an ironic or humorous effect, or to make a point more powerfully through subtlety.
Example:
After winning the lottery, the man calmly stated, "I suppose this is not bad," demonstrating a clear understatement of his good fortune.
Words with Multiple Meanings/Connotations
Words that carry both a literal meaning and additional implied or associated meanings, adding layers of complexity to a text.
Example:
In a poem, the word "home" might literally refer to a dwelling, but its multiple meanings could also evoke feelings of comfort, nostalgia, or even entrapment.