Literary & Grammar Terms

[O M I D]

Linguistics and Writing Systems


acronym (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/acronym)

word formed from successive initials or groups of letters, as NATO

analogy (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/analogy)

comparison between like features of two things that are otherwise dissimilar

antonym (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/antonym)

word of opposite meaning

colloquial (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/colloquial)

appropriate to casual rather than formal speech or writing

dialect (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dialect)

pronunciation or words peculiar to an area

dictionary (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dictionary)

resource that lists the words of a language with their meanings

idiom (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/idiom)

expression peculiar to a language

jargon (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/jargon)

vocabulary meaningful only to a particular profession or group

semantics (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/semantics)

the study of meaning in language

synonym (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/synonym)

word meaning the same as another

syntax (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/syntax)

the arrangement of words into sentences and phrases

theme (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/theme)

short essay; subject of discussion or art

vernacular (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vernacular)

language used locally or in everyday speech









Literary Characters and Practitioners

antagonist (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/antagonist)
adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama or other literary work
archetype (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/archetype)
original pattern or model
character (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/character)
person in a novel, play, etc.
hero (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hero)
the main typically male character in a story, play, etc.
heroine (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/heroine)
main female character in a story, play, etc.
muse (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/muse)
the inspiration motivating a poet, artist, etc.
protagonist (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/protagonist)
the main character
pseudonym (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pseudonym)
fictitious name used by an author to conceal his or her identity; pen name


Literature Devices, Techniques, and Elements

alliteration (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alliteration)

repetition of the same sound at the beginning of two or more words

allusion (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/allusion)

a passing or casual reference to a person, place, or literary work

anachronism (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/anachronism)

thing that belongs to a time period other than that in which it is placed

antithesis (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/antithesis)

contrast; direct opposite

assonance (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/assonance)

similarity of sound in words or syllables

cacophony (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cacophony)

harsh, discordant sound

catharsis (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/catharsis)

the release of the emotions, as through art

cliche (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cliche)

trite expression

climax (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/climax)

decisive moment in a plot

content (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/content)

the subjects in a book, document, etc.

context (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/context)

what comes before or follows a word or statement and influences its meaning

dialogue (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dialogue)

conversation between two or more people

epithet (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/epithet)

descriptive term

genre (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/genre)

class or category of artistic work

hubris (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hubris)

excessive pride

hyperbole (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hyperbole)

obvious exaggeration


imagery (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/imagery)

mental images collectively

irony (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/irony)

the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning

juxtaposition (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/juxtaposition)

placing expressions or ideas close together, for comparison or contrast

metaphor (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metaphor)

word or phrase applied to an object or concept in order to suggest comparison

meter (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/meter)

the rhythmic element in music and poetry

monologue (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/monologue)

talk by a single speaker

motif (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/motif)

recurring subject or theme

narrative (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/narrative)

story or account of events

onomatopoeia (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/onomatopoeia)

the formation of a word by the imitation of a sound

pathos (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pathos)

the quality or power of arousing pity

personification (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/personification)

attributing a human character or quality to an animal, idea, or thing

plot (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/plot)

the main story of a novel, play, etc.

refrain (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/refrain)

recurring passage in a song or poem

setting (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/setting)

the locale and period of a story, play, etc.

soliloquy (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/soliloquy)

speech in a play in which a character speaks as if alone

stanza (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/stanza)

division of a poem

symbol (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/symbol)


thing that represents something else

synopsis (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/synopsis)

brief summary