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Literary Terms

Literary Terms. Sam Young, Nevyat Gebru, Joshua Inyangson, John Nguyen. Diction. Origin - Latin “to say” Definition - Denotes the word choice and phrasing in a literary work. Formal Diction.

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Literary Terms

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  1. Literary Terms Sam Young, Nevyat Gebru, Joshua Inyangson, John Nguyen

  2. Diction Origin- Latin “to say” Definition - Denotes the word choice and phrasing in a literary work.

  3. Formal Diction Definition - Diction that creates a sense of authority and includes words or phrases that would typically not be used in everyday conversation. Typically includes: • Using Latinate vocabulary rather than Anglo-Saxon (propitious instead of lucky, converse instead of talk) • Lengthy complex sentences with many subordinate clauses • Use of periphrasis (zephyrs instead of warm winds, warblers instead of songbirds)

  4. Colloquial Diction Definition:plain syntax, either simple sentences or compound sentences made up of clauses linked by “and” Typically uses: • monosyllabic • Anglo-Saxon • emphasis on nouns

  5. Abstraction Definition - the extent to which it deals with general concepts. Language that describe concepts (like ideas and qualities) and not concrete images. ex. love, patriotism, beauty, time

  6. Concreteness • Definition - with physical objects, like imagery, and emotive and sensual details. • ex. lips, gun, silky gown, shrill cry

  7. Poetic Diction Definition - Phrasing and vocabulary that is characteristic of poetry. • refers to the style of 18th century neoclassical poets • “decorum” - highly formal word choice suitable to a lofty subject and a refined audience.

  8. Examples • Words derived from Latin like “provoke”, “celestial”, and “repressed” • Personification of abstract moral qualities like “Honor” • Antiquated Words - “o”, “abide”, “ere” • Poetic Contractions - “ne’er” (never), ‘tis (it is), and “morn” (morning).

  9. Allusion • Origin - Latin “to play with” • Classification:Rhetorical Device • Definition: Passing reference in a work of literature to another literary or historical work, figure, event, or literary passage • reference is not explained • gives the reader a better understanding of the text by referencing something similar Ex. “Though I have seen my head (grown slightly bald) brought upon a platter, I am no prophet—and here’s no great matter…” • Alludes to John the Baptist, who was beheaded

  10. Analogy • Origin: Greek “proportionate” • Classification: Rhetorical Device • Definition: Comparison of a subject to something that is similar • To help readers understand the passage by relating incidents to something common • Helps to clarify or emphasize themes, motifs or ideas • Similes and metaphors are analogy based • like or as vs no like or as

  11. Examples • “ As soon as I saw the elephant, I knew with perfect certainty that I ought not to shoot him. It is a serious matter to shoot a working elephant - it is comparable to destroying a huge and costly piece of machinery (Shooting an Elephant - George Orwell) • Comparing elephant to machinery to clarify and emphasize a point

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