Active Voice

Active voice is a grammatical structure in which the subject of a sentence performs the action rather than receiving it. In active voice sentences, the subject comes before the verb, creating a direct and dynamic relationship between the two. For example, in the sentence "The cat chased the mouse," the subject (the cat) actively engages in the action of chasing. This contrasts with passive voice, where the subject receives the action, as in "The mouse was chased by the cat." Active voice often makes writing clearer and more engaging.

Allegory

Writing where settings, characters, and events represent specific people, events, or ideas.

Alliteration 

Alliteration is a literary device where the same initial consonant sound is repeated at the beginnings of multiple words in close succession. This technique is often used to create rhythm, enhance mood, or add emphasis in poetry and prose. For example, in the phrase "wild and woolly," the repetition of the 'w' sound creates a musical quality that draws attention to the words.

Allusion

Allusion is a literary device that references a person, place, event, or work of literature, often indirectly, to enrich the meaning of a text and to evoke a shared understanding or connection with the audience. It relies on the reader's familiarity with the alluded subject to create deeper significance or emotional resonance.

Analogy 

A comparison between two different things that highlights a similarity between them, often used to explain a concept or idea by relating it to something more familiar. Analogies can clarify complex ideas and enhance understanding by drawing parallels in a relatable way. Example: similes and metaphors.

Antagonist 

An antagonist is a character, or a group of characters, that opposes or conflicts with the protagonist, creating tension in the narrative. The antagonist may embody the main source of opposition the protagonist must overcome, driving the plot forward and contributing to the overall theme of the story.

Anti-climax

Antithesis

Antithesis is a writing technique that places opposing ideas or words side by side to show contrast or create tension. It's often used to highlight differences and make a message stronger. A well-known example is "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," which uses opposing ideas to illustrate a complex situation. In literature, speeches, and persuasive writing, antithesis helps engage the audience and enhance understanding of different viewpoints.

Apostrophe

Argumentative essay 

Anecdotal evidence

Archaic language 

Aside 

Assonance 

Atmosphere 

Audience 

Autobiography 

Ballad 

Ballad stanza

Bias 

Biography 

Bildungsroman

A story about a character growing up and developing morally and psychologically from childhood to adulthood. A coming-of-age story.

Blank Verse 

Cacophony 

Caricature

Case study 

Catastrophe

Cause and effect 

Chapbook 

Chapbooks were popular books sold by peddlers from the 16th to 18th centuries. They included ballads, pamphlets, tracts, nursery rhymes, and fairy tales, often illustrated with woodblock prints.

Characterization

Character Foil

Chorus 

Chronological order 

Cliché

A cliché is an overused phrase or idea that has lost its originality or impact due to repeated use. It often refers to expressions or concepts that were once fresh but have become predictable or trite, making them less effective in communicating a message.

Climactic order

Climax

Colloquialism

Colloquial Language 

Comedy 

Comic relief 

Compare and contrast 

Comparison 

Conflict 

Conflict in literature refers to the struggle between opposing forces or characters that drives the plot forward. It can be internal (within a character) or external (between characters or forces), and it creates tension and suspense, often leading to a resolution or climax in the story.

Connotation 

Consonance 

Contrast 

Couplet 

Denotation

Denouement

The denouement is the final part of a narrative where the plot strands are drawn together, conflicts are resolved, and the story reaches its conclusion. It provides clarity and closure to the audience, often revealing the outcomes for the characters and the implications of the story's events.

Descriptive Essay

Dialect

Dialogue

Diary

Diction

Diction refers to the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing. It encompasses the style of language used by an author or speaker, which can convey tone, character, and mood. Diction can be classified as formal, informal, colloquial, or slang, among other categories, and it plays a critical role in how a message is received and understood by an audience. Effective diction enhances clarity and intention, shaping the reader's or listener's experience and interpretation of the text.

Didactic

Dilemma

Direct Presentation

Dissonance

Drama

Dramatic Irony

Dynamic Character

Editorial

Elegy

Emotional Appeal

Epic

Epilogue

Epiphany

Epigram

Epitaph

Euphemism

Euphony

Expert Testimony

Exposition

Expository Essay

Extended Metaphor

External Conflict

Fable

Foil

A foil is a literary tool that highlights a character's traits by contrasting them with another character. This contrasting character often has opposite traits, which helps to reveal details about the main character, including their motivations and key themes. For instance, in Shakespeare's "Hamlet," Hamlet and Laertes are foils; Hamlet is thoughtful and hesitant, while Laertes is quick to act. This contrast helps readers understand Hamlet's struggles and the play's main themes better. Foils can also apply to settings or situations, enhancing the story as a whole. See also Juxtaposition.

Foreshadowing 

Form 

Frame story 

Free verse

Genre

Graphic text/novel 

Hero 

Hyperbole

Iambic Pentameter 

Idiom 

Imagery 

Indeterminate ending 

Indirect Presentation 

Irony 

Jacobean Era

During the reign of James VI/I; 1603-1625 literary publications that were released under the era.

Jargon 

Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is a literary device that places contrasting elements side by side to highlight differences. It applies to characters, themes, settings, or situations, creating tension and deeper meanings. By positioning opposites closely, authors provoke thought, evoke emotions, and enhance their narrative's impact. This device encourages readers to explore life's complexities and the relationships between conflicting ideas, making it a powerful literary tool. See also Foil.

Legend 

Limited Omniscient Point of View 

Literary Genre 

A literary genre classifies works based on content, form, style, or structure, helping readers know what to expect. Common genres include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama, along with sub-genres like science fiction, fantasy, romance, and mystery. Each genre has unique conventions that guide writers and readers, promoting exploration and discussion about literature while fostering distinct voices and fan groups..

Lyric 

Melodrama 

Metaphor 

A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting that one thing is another to illustrate a point or convey meaning. It often enhances understanding and adds depth to writing by linking different ideas or concepts without using "like" or "as."

Metre 

Monologue 

Mood

Motif 

Myth 

Narrative 

Narration 

Narrator 

Objective Point of View 

Octave 

Ode

Omniscient Point of View 

An ‘all-knowing’ narrator often appears in third-person fiction. This narrator knows everything about the story, including the events, motives, and thoughts of the characters.

Onomatopoeia 

Oxymoron 

An oxymoron is a literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms to create a unique or thought-provoking effect. This device often highlights the complexity of a situation or the nuances of human experience. Common examples include phrases like "bittersweet," "deafening silence," and "jumbo shrimp." By combining opposing ideas, oxymorons can evoke curiosity and enhance the depth of literary works, encouraging readers to think beyond the surface level.

Paradox 

Parallelism 

Parody 

Passive voice

Pastoral 

Pathos

Personification 

Plot 

Point of View 

Prologue

Propaganda 

Protagonist 

Proverb 

Pun 

Quatrain 

A quatrain is a stanza or a complete poem consisting of four lines. It typically features a specific rhyme scheme, such as AABB, ABAB, or ABBA, and can vary in meter.

Refrain 

A refrain is a repeated line or group of lines in a poem or song, typically found at the end of a stanza or between stanzas. It serves to create rhythm, enhance the emotional impact, and reinforce the main themes of the work.

Resolution 

see denouement

Rhetorical question

Rhyme

Rhyme scheme

Rhythm 

Rising action 

Round Character 

Sarcasm

Satire 

Sestet

Setting 

Simile 

A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things using the words "like" or "as" to highlight a shared quality or characteristic. For example, saying "as brave as a lion" illustrates bravery through comparison.

Slang 

Soliloquy

A soliloquy is a dramatic device used in literature, particularly in plays, where a character speaks their thoughts aloud while alone on stage. This internal monologue allows the audience to gain insight into the character’s inner feelings, motivations, and conflicts. It often reflects the character’s state of mind and serves to advance the plot by revealing key information that others in the narrative may not be privy to.

Sonnet 

Speaker 

Stanza 

Static Character 

Stereotype

Style

Symbol/Symbolism

In art, literature, and storytelling, a symbol is a specific item, character, image, situation, or action that conveys deeper meanings or ideas. Using symbols in creative work is called symbolism. In literature like novels, plays, and poems, symbolism goes beyond just the words on the page, since writing itself is also a form of symbols. Artists may intentionally include symbols in their work, making it a conscious narrative choice. However, meanings can also be formed by the audience or scholars interpreting the piece. There are different names for symbols depending on the genre or medium, such as visual symbol, literary symbol, or poetic symbol.

Theme

Thesis

A thesis is a statement or central argument that a writer puts forward in a piece of academic writing, typically in order to be supported by evidence and reasoning throughout the work. It serves as the foundation on which the entire paper is built, guiding the direction of research and discussion. In a more specific academic context, particularly at the postgraduate level, a thesis can also refer to a substantial piece of original research completed as part of a degree requirement, demonstrating the candidate's scholarly competence and contribution to their field of study.

Thesis Statement 

Third person Point of View 

Tone 

Tragedy 

Voice

Wit 

T