Literary Terms English 11 AP

The Foil A foil is a minor character who prevents the main character from carrying out plans and/or succeeding. A foil is a minor character who prevents the main character from carrying out plans and/or succeeding. A foil may also be used to contrast the traits of a character. A foil may also be used to contrast the traits of a character. In this way, Tybalt can be seen as a foil, as he is in direct contrast with Romeo and ruins his hopes for happiness. In this way, Tybalt can be seen as a foil, as he is in direct contrast with Romeo and ruins his hopes for happiness.

Anachronism An anachronism is an event that does not belong in the time period in which it is presented. This image, for example, is anachronistic. An anachronism is an event that does not belong in the time period in which it is presented. This image, for example, is anachronistic.

Static and Dynamic Characters A static character is a character who does not undergo an important internal change. (This is not a bad thing, necessarily. Thomas More, in A Man for All Seasons, was a static character.) A static character is a character who does not undergo an important internal change. (This is not a bad thing, necessarily. Thomas More, in A Man for All Seasons, was a static character.) A dynamic character undergoes an important internal change throughout the course of the text. A dynamic character undergoes an important internal change throughout the course of the text.

Maxim, Aphorism, Proverb A maxim is a basic rule of conduct. (“Actions speak louder than words.”) A maxim is a basic rule of conduct. (“Actions speak louder than words.”) A proverb is a wise, true, often metaphorical statement. (“Look before you leap.”) A proverb is a wise, true, often metaphorical statement. (“Look before you leap.”) An aphorism is a brief sentence expressing a general thought. (“We must become the change we wish to see.”) An aphorism is a brief sentence expressing a general thought. (“We must become the change we wish to see.”)

Satire A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit. A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit. A Modest Proposal, by Jonathan Swift, is the classic example of satire in the English language. A Modest Proposal, by Jonathan Swift, is the classic example of satire in the English language.

Pathetic Fallacy Pathetic Fallacy is a type of personification, where inanimate objects are specifically given human feelings and emotions. Pathetic Fallacy is a type of personification, where inanimate objects are specifically given human feelings and emotions. “A Cruel Wind” would be a good example of this. “A Cruel Wind” would be a good example of this.

Aristotle’s Unities Unity of place (stories should take place in one specific area) Unity of place (stories should take place in one specific area) Unity of time (stories should take place within a single day) Unity of time (stories should take place within a single day) Unity of action (elements of the story should only contribute directly to the action of the plot.) Unity of action (elements of the story should only contribute directly to the action of the plot.) Example – “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” Example – “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”

Metonymy Metonymy - A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated, as in the use of Washington for the United States government or of the sword for military power. Metonymy - A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated, as in the use of Washington for the United States government or of the sword for military power. ( (

Cliché Any word, phrase, or plot device that has become trite or commonplace through overuse. Any word, phrase, or plot device that has become trite or commonplace through overuse. “When Hell freezes over!” “When Hell freezes over!” “Everyone and his dog knows a cliché!” “Everyone and his dog knows a cliché!” “More clichés than you can shake a stick at!” “More clichés than you can shake a stick at!”

Synecdoche A figure of speech where a part of something stands for the whole. A figure of speech where a part of something stands for the whole. “Catch some rays” “Catch some rays” “Pumped him full of lead” “Pumped him full of lead” “200 head of cattle” “200 head of cattle” “Ask for her hand” “Ask for her hand”

Archetypes An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned; a prototype: “‘Frankenstein’... ‘Dracula’... ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’... the archetypes that have influenced all subsequent horror stories” (New York Times) An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned; a prototype: “‘Frankenstein’... ‘Dracula’... ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’... the archetypes that have influenced all subsequent horror stories” (New York Times) The Tragic Hero The Tragic Hero The Damsel in Distress The Damsel in Distress The Hooker with a heart of gold The Hooker with a heart of gold The Mean Girl The Mean Girl

Assonance, Consonance and Dissonance Assonance – repeated vowel sounds Assonance – repeated vowel sounds Consonance – repeated consonant sounds Consonance – repeated consonant sounds Dissonance – harsh sounds, cacophony, unpleasant sounds in a work of literature. Dissonance – harsh sounds, cacophony, unpleasant sounds in a work of literature.

Pastoral Charmingly simple and serene; a literary or other artistic work that portrays or evokes rural life, usually in an idealized way. Charmingly simple and serene; a literary or other artistic work that portrays or evokes rural life, usually in an idealized way. Think of Blake’s “The Lamb” and even Coleridge’s “Frost at Midnight.” Think of Blake’s “The Lamb” and even Coleridge’s “Frost at Midnight.”

Symbol Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible. ( Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible. ( The Great Rooted Bed will symbolize the permanence of Odysseus’ marriage to Penelope. The Great Rooted Bed will symbolize the permanence of Odysseus’ marriage to Penelope.

Rhetoric The art of speaking or writing persuasively and effectively. There are a number of rhetorical techniques that allow a writer to develop his or her style, including metaphor, simile, alliteration, assonance, consonance, dissonance, irony, hyberbole, and dozens more. The art of speaking or writing persuasively and effectively. There are a number of rhetorical techniques that allow a writer to develop his or her style, including metaphor, simile, alliteration, assonance, consonance, dissonance, irony, hyberbole, and dozens more.

Now that you know… Now that you know these literary terms, be prepared to define them (your own words are acceptable!) and offer an example. Now that you know these literary terms, be prepared to define them (your own words are acceptable!) and offer an example. Try to remember the presentations made by the groups when thinking of examples. Try to remember the presentations made by the groups when thinking of examples.