Lit Terms #2

Circumlocution: when writer uses very long and complex sentences to convey a meaning that could have been done using short sentences
- "At about 8 pm was when he reached the dinner party." Instead of "He arrived at 8."

Classicism: art, literature, and music reflecting the principles of ancient Greece and Rome tradition and reason
-the writer Homer

Cliché: overused expressions that lose their original meaning
- frightened to death

Climax: point at which the conflict is the highest point
- Climax in Cinderella is when the prince tries to find out whose shoe he has.

Colloquialism: use of informal words, phrases, or even slangs
-wanna=want to

Comedy: amusing event designed to provide entertainment or produce laughter
-Bob had his shirt on backwards.

Conflict: problem the protagonist of the story comes across
-Mary wanted to win the gold medal in track but she broke her leg.

Connotation: when words create emotions or feelings in the reader
-The autumn leaves were falling. (autumn=coming to an end)

Contrast: when an idea or object is used in opposition of another
- Her style when she was younger is much different than her style today.

Denotation: the literal/dictionary definition of a word
-They built a house. (house=literal while home could mean something else)

Denouement: final outcome of a story after the climax and plot; all loose ends are tied up
- in Romeo and Juliet the denouement is after they kill each other and their deaths are explained to their families

Dialect: language used by people of a specific area, class, or district
- "Yo, what's up?"

Dialectics: pertaining to the nature of logical argumentation

Dichotomy: the split or break between two opposing things
- dichotomy of good and evil

Diction: distinctive tone/ wording of an author
- Shakespeare "thy" "thee"

Didactic: intended for instruction
- The school textbooks were didactic.

Dogmatic: asserting opinions in an arrogant manner
- That club is for people with no lives.

Elegy: a poem or song written in honor of someone deceased

Epic: a narrative celebrating the feats of a hero
-Beowulf

Epigram: a remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way
-"I can resist everything but temptation." -Oscar Wilde

Epitaph: inscription on a tomb about the deceased person
- "Loving friend and mother."

Epithet: used as a descriptive device usually added to a person's name
- "Alexander the Great"

Euphemism: to say something harsh in a pleasant manner
- You are becoming a little thing at the top. (bald)

Evocative: calling forth memories and sensations
- The smell of pie reminded her of last thanksgiving.