Literary Terms #5

parallelism- a reoccurring phrase in a sentence or passage.

parody-a satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing

pathos-the quality or power in an actual life experience or in literature, of evoking a feeling of pity or compassion.

pedantry-the character, qualities, practices, etc., of a pedant, especially undue display of learning.

personification-giving human characteristics to inanimate objects.

plot-main story of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story

poignant-affecting or moving the emotions

point of view- specified or stated manner of consideration or appraisal; standpoint

postmodernism-any of a number of trends or movements in the arts and literature developing in the 1970s in reaction to or rejection of the dogma, principles, or practices of established modernism, especially a movement in architecture and the decorative arts running counter to the practice and influence of the International Style and encouraging the use of elements from historical vernacular styles and often playful illusion, decoration, and complexity.

prose-the ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure

protagonist-the leading character, the good guy

pun-the humorous use of a word or phrase so as to emphasize or suggest its different meanings or applications.

purpose-the reason for which something exists

realism-interest in or concern for the actual or real, as distinguished from the abstract, speculative, etc

refrain-to abstain from an impulse to say or do something

requiem-any musical service, hymn, or dirge for the repose of the dead

resolution-a formal expression of opinion or intention made. the resolution of the conflict

restatement-to state again or in a new way

rhetoric-the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech.

rhetorical question-a question asked solely to produce an effect or to make an assertion and not to elicit a reply

rising action-a related series of incidents in a literary plot that build toward the climax

romanticism-the Romantic style or movement in literature and art, or adherence to its principles

satire-the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc

scansion-the metrical analysis of verse

setting-the locale or period in which the action of a novel, play, film, etc., takes place

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