Lit Terms #2

circumlocution: a roundabout or evasive speech or writing, in which many words are used but a few would have served
 -Saying "a certain long-eared animal with a penchant for carrots" instead of saying "rabbit"

classicism:  a traditional style of literature, art, or music that is usually graceful and simple with parts that are organized in a pleasing way
-Ancient sculptures are known for their classicism qualities

cliché: overused expressions that lose their original meaning
-Frightened to death

climax: the decisive point in a narrative or drama; the pint of greatest intensity or interest at which plot question is answered or resolved
-I can't put the book down at it's climax

colloquialism: folksy speech, slang words or phrases usually used in informal conversation
-Twain was among the first to utilize colloquialism

comedy: style of entertainment intended to make an audience laugh
-My favorite genre of movies would have to be the comedies

conflict: struggle or problem in a story causing tension
-The conflict in The Hunger Games is that Katniss must fight for her life while also protecting Peeta.

connotation: implicit meaning, going beyond dictionary definition
-A hint

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: plain dictionary definition
 -The denotation does not care what society thinks

denouement: loose ends tied up in a story after the climax, closure, conclusion

-The denouement in Great Expectations is Pip and Estella's marriage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

dialect: a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group
-People from the South are known for their twangy, down home dialect

dialectics: formal debates usually over the nature of truth.
 -"Sophists employed the method of dialectic (Greek: dialektike) in their teaching, or inventing arguments for and against a proposition. This approach taught students to argue either side of a case." James A. Herrick

dichotomy: a split or break between two opposing things
-There was a dichotomy when the judges were split fifty-fifty while making their decision

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

didactic: having to do with the transmission of information; education.
-Didactic lectures are vital to learning

dogmatic: rigid in beliefs and principles

-Perhaps we are all being a bit too dogmatic

elegy: a poem or serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead
-Eulogies can be forms of an elegy

epic: a long narrative poem unified by a hero who reflects the customs, morals, and aspirations of his nation or race as he makes his way through legendary and historic exploits.

-Beowulf 

epigram: a concise saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way
-"The more corrupt the state the more numerous the laws"

epitaph: a phrase or statement written in memory of a person who has died
-A poem would make a great epitaph

epithet: a short, descriptive name or phrase that  may insult someone’s character,
characteristics
-Lord of the dead and mighty for Aidoneus

euphemism: the use of a mild word in the place of an offensive or blunt word
-Passed away instead of diedevocative: calling forth memories and sensations
- The smell of pie reminded her of last thanksgiving.