Literary terms in English literature

 

Certainly! Literary terms are tools and techniques used by writers to convey their ideas, create a specific effect, or enhance the overall meaning of their work. Here are some common literary terms:

1. Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words.

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3. Allusion: A reference to another work of literature, person, or event.

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5. Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses.

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7. Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.

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9. Cliché: An overused expression or idea that has lost its originality.

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11. Connotation: The emotional or cultural associations surrounding a word, as opposed to its literal meaning.

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13. Denotation: The literal or dictionary definition of a word.

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15. Diction: The choice of words and phrases in writing.

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17. Epiphany: A moment of sudden realization or understanding.

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19. Foreshadowing: A literary device used to give hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.

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21. Hyperbole: Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

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23. Irony:

    • Verbal Irony: When a speaker says something but means the opposite.
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    • Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows something the characters do not.
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    • Situational Irony: When there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens.
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24. Juxtaposition: The placement of two or more things (usually abstract concepts, though it can involve physical objects) near each other.

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26. Metaphor: A figure of speech that implies a comparison without using "like" or "as."

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28. Onomatopoeia: The use of words that imitate the sounds they describe.

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30. Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human entities or objects.

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32. Plot: The sequence of events in a story.

33. Point of View:

    • First Person: The narrator is a character in the story.
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    • Second Person: The narrator addresses the reader directly.
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    • Third Person Limited: The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character.
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    • Third Person Omniscient: The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters.
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34. Simile: A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as."

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36. Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

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38. Theme: The central idea or message in a work of literature.

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40. Tone: The author's attitude toward the subject or audience.

These are just a few examples, and there are many more literary terms used to analyze and describe various elements of literature.