Every discipline has its own technical vocabulary; the study of literature is no different. In order to discuss fiction in an intelligent and competent manner, a familiarity (or literacy) with this vocabulary is crucial. Define each of the following words calling from various sources—reference books, lectures, your own reading—making clear your own understanding of the vocabulary. Pay particular attention to the bolded elements.
  1. alliteration
  2. allusion
  3. agon / antagonist
  4. archetype
  5. atmosphere
  6. canon
  7. character(ization)
  8. climax
  9. colloquialism
  10. conflict
  11. dénouement
  12. description
  13. ethos
  14. exposition
  15. flashback
  16. foil
  17. foreshadowing
  18. genre
  19. hypertext
  20. image / imagery
  21. irony
  22. metaphor
  23. motif
  24. mood
  25. myth
  26. narration / narrative / narrator
  27. novel
  28. pathos
  29. persona
  30. plot
  31. point of view
  32. protagonist
  33. satire
  34. setting
  35. simile
  36. stream of consciousness
  37. style
  38. subplot
  39. surrealism
  40. symbol(ism)
  41. text
  42. theme
  43. tone
  44. trope
  45. verisimilitude

LIT 2010



 12 January 1999; 2.0