LITERARY LAPS

Jogging Your Memory

DEFINTIONS OF 9TH AND 10TH GRADE

LITERARY TERMS
Directions: Use the following definitions to record your weekly LITERARY LAPS. If
you forget to bring this list home, you may use on-line resources to define the
words. Some good on-line resources include:
http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm (All American:
Glossary of Literary Terms) and http://www.virtualsalt.com/litterms.htm (Virtual
Salt: A Glossary of Literary Terms). You can also use the back of your literature
book to find the definitions.
Follow the schedule below:
MondayGet new LITERARY LAPS and vocabulary sheet
WednesdayHave completed LITERARY LAPS defined WITH EXAMPLES to turn in
for a homework grade (5 POINTS FOR DEFINITIONS; 5 POINTS FOR EXAMPLES).
FridayQuiz on LITERARY LAPS and vocabulary
Week of August 29th
Connotation
The emotional meaning behind a word. A word can have a positive
connotation or a negative connotation. For example: She is fat
(negative) vs. she is big-boned (positive).
Denotation
The dictionary definition of a word.
Word Origins
The history or etymology of words; the meanings of roots and affixes

Prefix
A word or part of a word that is placed at the beginning of a word to
change its meaning (i.e., anti-, bi-, de-)
Suffixes
A word or part of a word that is placed at the end of a word to change its
meaning (i.e., -able, -ful, -less)
Roots
Many of our English words and word parts can be traced back to Latin
and Greek word, thus roots.
Week of Sept 6th.
Analogy
A method of explaining something unfamiliar by using a comparison of
similar, more familiar things (e.g., life is to riding a bike, sometimes you
fall, sometimes it is difficult, but you always get up and try again)
Synonym
A word similar in meaning to another word (e.g., answer and respond)
Antonym
A word opposite in meaning to another word (e.g., good and bad)
Figurative Language
Language enriched by descriptive images and figures of speech. This
type of writing is meant to be understood imaginatively and not literally.
Literal Meaning
The actual meaning of a word or phrase
Figurative Meaning
A symbolic interpretation of a written work
Simile
A comparison between two things using the words like or as
Metaphor
A comparison between two things where one thing is describes AS the
other.
Extended metaphor
A metaphor used throughout an entire work, poem, or paragraph
Personification
A description that gives an inanimate object (non-human thing) human
qualities
Hyperbole

An obvious exaggeration
Oxymoron
A statement or word that contradicts itself (i.e. bittersweet)
Idiom
A widely known figurative saying that is usually colloquial in nature (i.e.,
kick the bucket; its raining cats and dogs)
Pun
A pun is a play on words that evokes a double meaning. The pun has
both a literal meaning (what the pun actually means) and a figurative
meaning (what the pun means on a different level).
Homophone
A word with different an meaning but with the same pronunciation as
another word, whether or not spelled alike (e.g., hair and hare)
Homonym
A word with different orgin and meaning but the same oral or written
form as one or more other words, as bear (animal) vs. bear (to support)
vs. bear (to expose)
Homograph
A word with the same spelling as another word, whether or not
pronounced alike, as pen (a writing instrument) vs. pen (an enclosure) or
bow (and arrow) vs. bow (of a ship)
Acronym
Acronym
A word formed from the initial letter or letters of each word in a set of
words
Context Clues
Using clues in the text to figure out the meaning of an unknown word
Inference
An educated guess based on information already given
Prediction
A statement about future events using information already given
Conclusion
A decision you make about the information given
Main Idea
The main idea is the central point of the passage; it can be directly stated
(usually found in the title, the beginning, or the end of the passage) or
indirectly stated (where you have to infer from the information given).
Patterns of Organization

Ways to organize your writing

Chronological order
An organizational structure of text in which events are placed in the
order they occur in time
For example:
It seemed like an ordinary day when she got up that morning, but Lynda was
about to embark on the worst day of her life. First, she fell in the bathtub
because her mother forgot to rinse out the bath oil. Then she spilled orange
juice on the outfit she had spent hours putting together for school pictures.
When she changed, she messed up the French braid her mother had put in
her hair. As she walked out the door, she dropped all of her school books and
her math homework flew away. Once she made it to the car she thought
everything would be all right. She was wrong; her father didn't look before
he backed out of the driveway and ran into the neighbors truck. Lyndas
side of the car was damaged the most, and she ended up with a broken arm.
That night, she cried herself to sleep.
Classification order
In this type of order, the main idea is broken down into smaller
areas or classifications. Each classification is then discussed.
For example:
There are four basic modes of writing. Each mode may take different forms,
but has a primary purpose. The first is expository writing, which has a
purpose of explaining something or giving directions. Providing directions to
your house is an example. The second mode is persuasive writing, which has
a purpose of influencing the readers way of thinking. An advertisement is a
an example of persuasive writing. The third mode is descriptive writing,
which has a purpose of providing vivid details so that the reader can picture
what is being presented. An essay that depicts the glorious Grand Canyon is
an example. The fourth mode is narrative writing, which has a purpose of
presenting an experience in the form of a story. A personal account of a
vacation is an example of narrative writing.
Cause and Effect order
An organizational structure of text in which there is a description of
events and their causes or consequences. Often, a single cause will
have more than one effect, and a single event may have more than
one cause.
For example:
Because toys have become electronic devices, some children today are
unable to entertain themselves. Gone are the days when children invented
their own adventures and used sticks as swords. cookie sheets as armor, and
refrigerator box as a fortress to defend. The electronic age has delivered
children all sorts of gadgets and gizmos that are supposed to be realistic.
Some toys even have buttons to push so prerecorded messages can be
played to begin scripted adventures that require no imagination. No
imagination? No wonder some children today have short attention spans.
Spatial order

In this pattern, items are arranged according to their physical

position or relationships. In describing a shelf or desk, I might
describe items on the left first, then move gradually toward the
right.
For example:
I couldnt believe my eyes when we finally emerged from the storm shelter.
Where the barn once stood there was now only a few tufts of hay. The path
that led to the house was scattered with branches and debris. The house!
The entire roof was gone. The north wall was caved in and we could see right
into the house. Well, what was left of it. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I
noticed that most of our belongings had been sucked up into the great
vacuum and scattered across the countryside. We heard a loud cracking and
moaning as the west wall gave way and collapsed, sending up a wave of
dust. And yet, there in the middle of the front yard was mothers prized rose
bush. It swayed in the breeze as if nothing had happened. Seeing it made
me realize how lucky we were to be alive. We stood there in dismay, our
arms locked around one another.
Process order
In this type of order, a sequence of actions is described. It instructs
the reader on how to do something. It is basically a set of
directions. Owner's manuals and cookbooks are organized in this
pattern.
For example:
The first step in redesigning your closet is take everything out and sort
through it. Anything you havent worn in over a year should be given to
charity. Check garments for wear and tear. Take care of anything that needs
mending. If it is beyond repair, get rid of it. The second step is to install a
closet organizer. Choose one that will hold the different types of garments in
your wardrobe. The third step is to put items in the closet so that those you
wear most often are easy to access. The final step is to stay organized. Put
garments back in their appropriate places so that you will be able to find
them.
Problem-solution order
An organizational structure of text that is similar to cause and
effect, expect that outcomes are a result or solution of a perceived
need or problem
For example:
Several students receive poor grades on writing assignments, not because
they lack the ability to communicate, but because they can not seem to
manage their time when it comes to a large project. They do not know where
to begin, and therefore put things off until the last minute. To solve this
problem, students need to develop a timeline for completing the project. If
they divide the assignment into manageable chunks or parts and then set
a schedule for completing each part, they will be able to finish the entire
project before the deadline. Without the pressure of not knowing where to
begin, the students will be able to focus on the assignment and
communicate their ideas effectively.
Comparison/contrast order

An organizational structure of text in which a description of

similarities and differences among two or more things occurs
For example:
As a child, I thought my parents were ignorant and out of touch with reality.
They couldnt possible understand anything I thought or felt. When they
werent annoying me with their ridiculous lectures, or grounding me for
minor infractions of the rules, they were embarrassing me in public. As a
parent, I find it frustrating that my children think I have no clue about their
lives, even though I understand perfectly well what they are thinking or
feeling. I find myself giving my children the same lectures I once thought
were ridiculous. My children can not seem to follow the rules their father and
I have set, and they are continuously embarrassing me in public. My, how
things have changed.
Characterization
The method an author uses to create the appearance and personality of
imaginary characters in a piece of fiction
Indirect Characterization
describing a characters physical appearance
by revealing a characters nature through the characters speech,
thoughts, feelings or actions
by using the speech, thoughts, feelings or actions of other character
Direct Characterization
by using direct comments from the narrator
the writer directly comes out and tells the reader the personality of
the character
Static Character
A character that does not change as a result of the action in the story
Dynamic Character
A character that changes as a result of the action in the story
Foil Character
A character whose attributes, or characteristics, contrast with the
characteristics of another character
Protagonist
The central figure of a literary work
Antagonist
The character who is pitted against the protagonist.
Dialogue
The speech between characters in a story of play
Dialect

A form of language as it is spoken in a particular geographic area or by a

particular social or ethnic group
Setting
The time and place of the action of a literary work
Conflict
The struggle between opposing forces that brings about the action within
a story or drama
Internal Conflict
A conflict within a character (person vs. self)
External Conflict
A conflict between a character and an outside force (person vs. person,
person vs. nature, person vs. society)
Plot
The careful sequencing of events in a story generally built around a
conflict. Stages of plot include exposition (background), rising action,
climax, falling action and resolution, and denouement.
Parallel plot
A secondary action of a story that matches with the main plot
Sub plot
The secondary action of a story that reinforces or contrasts with the main
plot
Foreshadowing
The technique of giving clues to coming events in a narrative
Flashback
The technique of stopping the chronological action in a story and shifting
to an earlier period to introduce additional information
Point of view
The perspective or attitude of a narrator of a piece of literature
First Person Point of View
Narration in which the point of view is that of the main character
Third Person Point of View
Narration in which the point of view is that of someone outside the
story who refers to all characters by name or as he, she and
they
Third Person Limited Point of View
The vantage point in which a narrator tells the story in the third
person but often confines himself or herself to what is experienced,
thought and felt by a single or limited number of characters.

Omniscient Point of View The vantage point in which a narrator is

removed from the story and knows everything that needs to be
known.
Theme
A life lesson that can be learned from a piece of literature; a major idea
broad enough to cover the entire scope of a literary work or work of art
Irony
The recognition of the difference between reality and appearance
Situational Irony
When there is a contrast between what is intended or expected and
what actually occurs
Dramatic Irony
Words or actions that are understood by the audience but not by
characters; when the audience knows something that the
character(s) dont know
Verbal Irony
The difference between what is said and what is actually meant
Mood
The feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for a reader; a reflection
of an authors attitude toward a subject or theme
Tone
The reflection of an authors attitude toward his or her subject
Objective Tone
An objective tone is when the writer refrains from expressing his opinion.
He or she just tells the facts.
Subjective/Bias Tone
A subjective tone is when a writer puts his or her opinion in the writing.
Advertisements and editorials are written with a subjective tone.
Primary Source
Primary Sources are actual records of events that have survived from the
past. Examples of primary sources include letters, photographs, diaries,
poems, newspaper accounts, and interviews.
Secondary Source
Secondary Sources are accounts of the past created by people who are not
first-hand witnesses of the event. Secondary sources offer an analysis or
a restatement of primary sources. Examples of secondary sources
include: dictionaries, encyclopedias, books and articles that interpret or
review research works.

Authors Purpose
The reason behind the writing which include the following:
To Describe: Some writing describes. For example, directions that
come with a new toy have a purpose. They describe how to put the
toy together.
To Inform: Some writing informs. Most news articles in the
newspaper are written to inform. Writing a biography (a book
written about the life of a person) has a purpose. It informs the
reader about the person's life.
To Persuade: Some writing is written to persuade. Persuasive
writing is found in advertisements. Advertisements have a purpose.
They are meant to persuade you to buy things. Speeches by
politicians are also meant to persuade.
To Narrate: Narration tells a story. The narrator tells about a series
of events.
To Entertain: Some writing entertains. The comic strips in the
newspaper have a purpose. They entertain the readers with humor.
A mystery novel and a fairy tale also entertain.
Satire
Writing or speech that pokes fun at society
Propaganda
A type of persuasive monologue or writing that has a one-sided message
intended to coerce others to agree with an idea or to take a particular
action.
Rhetorical question
A question that is made the audience to think, but is not necessarily
meant to be answered
Appeal to reason
To call upon a readers ability to think in a rational way in order to
cause a change in his or her thoughts
Appeal to authority
To call upon an individual or other source as an expert to give
credence to an argument made by an author of a work
Appeal to emotion
When a speaker or writer builds an argument using expressive
language or other devices instead of presenting evidence; a fallacy
in arguments often referred to as ad populum (to the people)
Fear
A scare tactic that is used to invoke unneeded fear in the public.
The media is often responsible for using fear.
Testimonial

When a famous person endorses a product although they are not

qualified as experts.
Transfer
The speaker/writer attempts to have one transfer the feelings (love,
respect, admiration, hatred, disgust) that one has for something to
something else that is unrelated
Glittering Generalities
Words or descriptions that sound great but are improvable praises
about a product, issue, or political candidate.
Bandwagon
A technique in which the reader or viewer is made to feel that a
great movement is beginning. The public is then made to feel that
they are outcasts if they do not join the movement.
Bait and switch
A seller advertises a specific product for a ridiculously low price (the
bait), but when a buyer comes to purchase the product, its been
sold out, and the seller pressures the buyer to purchase a more
expensive item (the switch).
Repetition
Repeating a word or phrase for effect
Credibility
The quality or state of offering reasonable ground for being believed; this
is also referred to a reliability
Counterargument
A point or statement in opposition to the argument being made in a
written document or speech
Anecdote
A brief narrative of an interesting, unusual or biographical event often
used to illustrate a point
Voice
The personality of the writer that comes through the words on the page
Narrator
The person who is telling the story (either first person narrator, third
person narrator, or third person omniscient narrator)
Frame Narrative
A story within a story
Nave Narrator
A narrator that tells the story without knowing what is actually going on,
usually told by a child

Motif
Any element that recurs in one or more works of literature or art
Anachronism
Something that is misplaced in a story because it is out of time. In Julius
Caesar, a clock strikes though there were no clocks in Caesars day. In
the movie Ben-Hur, Charlton Heston anachronistically wears a wristwatch
during the chariot race.
Allusion
When a reference is made literature to a person, event, object, or work of
art of literature. In Shakespeares plays there are many mythological
allusions.
Sensory Details
Words and phrases that describe how things look, sound, smell, taste, or
feel
Clich
An overused or unoriginal expression such as she was as quiet as a
mouse
Imagery
Words or phrases that create a vivid sensory experience for the reader
Syntax
Syntax is the way in which sentences are formed; the grammatical rules
that govern their formation; the pattern or structure of word order in
sentences, clauses and phrases.
Diction
Diction is the word choice of a writer. Much of a writers style is
determined by his or her diction, the types of words that he or she
chooses.
Colloquialism
The use of informal language
Symbol
A concrete thing (event, item, character, place) used to suggest
something larger and more abstract.
Symbolism
Symbolism is used when a writer uses an event, item or a character to
stand for something else. Symbols can be characters, such as a
character symbolizing good or evil. Objects can also be symbols, such as
the scarlet letter.
Poetry

Poetry is writing with figurative meaning, sound, and rhythmic language

choices so as to evoke an emotional response. Some poetry does rhyme,
but it does not have to rhyme. Usually poetry is divided into stanzas and
the lines are short fragments or words. There are a variety of poetic
forms ranging from a ballad, blues, sonnet, etc.
Free Verse
Poetry that does not rhyme
Rhyme
Rhyme is the repetition of sounds at the end of words
Exact Rhyme
When rhyming words end with the same sound (i.e., moon/June)
Slant (near) Rhyme
When rhyming words are similar, but not identical (i.e., rave/rove,
rot/rock)
Couplet
Two lines of a poem that rhyme
Meter
The expected pattern or theoretical number and distribution of
stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of verse of a given type.
For example, in iambic pentameter the prescribed pattern is da
DUM, da DUM, da DUM, da DUM, da DUM--five iambs.
Iambic Pentameter
A form of meter where there are ten syllables per line and five
iambs; each iamb is an unstressed and stressed syllable.
Shakespeare writes his sonnets and most of his plays in iambic
pentameter.
Blank Verse
Unrhymed iambic pentameter
Alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words (i.e.,
winter wind)
Assonance
The close repetition of middle vowel sounds (i.e., stony and holy)
Consonance
The repetition of identical consonant sounds before and after
differing vowel sounds (i.e., stoke/luck).
Onomatopoeia
Words whose sound imitates their suggested meaning (i.e., buzz,
hiss and clang)

Drama
Literature enacted upon the stage
Act
A large division in a drama
Scene
A division within an act
Aside
A statement made by a character in a play, intended to be heard by
the audience by not by the other characters on stage
Dramatic monologue
An extended speech in a drama or a narrative that is presented by
one character
Dramatic soliloquy
A speech, usually given alone on stage, in which a character speaks
aloud his or her thoughts
Comedy
A play that includes humorous scenes and language; in
Shakespeares comedies, all plays end in marriage.
Tragedy
A drama that tells a story of the fall of a person of high status
Tragic Flaw
A personal weakness that brings down the fall of a character
Tragic Hero
A person of high status that has a downfall; they are a noble leader,
and usually gains some kind of self awareness.
Genre
A genre is an established class or category of composition or literature.
The following are different literary genres:
Short story
The short story is a literary genre of fictional, prose narrative that
tends to be more concise and "to the point" than longer works of
fiction such as novels.
Allegory
A work in which each element symbolizes, or represents, something
else.
Novel

A long fictional narrative, in prose, usually about the experiences of

a central character.
Parody
A literary or artistic work that mimics in an absurd of ridiculous way
the conventions and style of another work.
Satire
Writing or speech that pokes fun at society
Science Fiction
Highly imaginative fiction containing fantastic elements based on
scientific principles, discoveries, or laws. Often science fiction deals
with the future, the distant past, or worlds other than our own.
Fairy Tale
Fairy tales are simple stories of humans and their dealings with
magical beings such as fairies, dragons, and wizards. Originally
intended for children, the fairy tale has in certain instances involved
into longer and more sophisticated narratives of supernatural
events. The term embodies folktales such as "Snow White" and
"Cinderella," many of which were originally collected in the early
19th century by the Brothers Grimm in "Grimm's Fairy Tales."
Folklore
Originally "oral tradition stories," memorized and passed from
person to person through the telling, these tend to have messages
for the listener to decipher and definite similarities in plot,
characters, and settings.
Epic
A long story, often told in verse involving heroes and gods
Fantasy
A literary work that contains highly unrealistic elements

Myth
A story that explains objects or events in the natural world as
resulting from the action of some supernatural force or entity, most
often a god
Nonfiction
Writing about real events
Memoir
A memoir is a piece of autobiographical writing, usually shorter in
nature than a comprehensive autobiography.. The memoir may be
more emotional and concerned with capturing particular scenes, or

a series of events, rather than documenting every fact of a person's

life
Article
A story, report, or opinion piece in a newspaper, magazine, journal,
or internet. These are often short pieces that answers the who,
what, when, where, why, and how of a topic. The article also
includes quotes from people that the reporter interviewed.
Autobiography
The biography of a person written by that person.
Biography
A biography is a historical account of someone's life, written by
someone else, as opposed to an autobiography, which is written by
that person.