Literary Terms Project Rita Shehirian

Synesthesia Definition: When one kind of sensory detail creates a different kind of sensory feeling. Makes it so that one phrase makes you feel multiple senses. Examples: The black, long-legged spiders crawled up her arms. Her mouth watered at the sight of the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. He could practically hear the Thanksgiving dinner calling his name to eat it. Picture:

Syntax Definition: They way an author puts words into sentences. Not to be confused with diction; diction is the use of words while syntax is how they are grouped together. Examples: “...for she had seen her sister looking so well as to banish all fear for her health, and the prospect of her northern tour was a constant source of delight.” (Pride and Prejudice 134). “There is something so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind, that one is sorry to see them give way to the reception of more general opinions.” (Sense and Sensibility Chapter 11). “When I consider how my light is spent, Ere half my days in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide, Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent.” (John Milton On His Blindness) Picture:

Theme Definition: The life lesson or main idea meant to be taught in a piece of work. Examples: Second chances are not always best given to those who do not deserve them. Most every person has gone through some kind of battle in a world that’s very harsh; however, with love given to them by the people who care about them, things will work out some way or another. When second chances are given, they must be used to their full potential rather than letting somebody else squander them. Picture:

Thesis Definition: The thesis statement states the author’s opinion or purpose directly and is usually proven throughout the rest of the piece. It’s usually one sentence, but can be more. Examples: The United States’ government should not be able to condemn criminals to the death penalty. When Machiavelli’s rules of a good leader from his The Prince are applied to the main character Macbeth, it is determined that Macbeth is a poor leader. Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and Web pages can provide both advertising and customer support. Picture:

Tone Definition: Not to be confused with mood, tone is the author’s view or attitude toward what they are writing or who they are writing it to. Examples: Amused Formal Witty Picture:

Works Cited Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. London: Penguin, 2003. Print. Austen, Jane. Sense and Sensibility. London: Penguin, 2003. Print. Everything else was written or made up by me. ""How to Write a Thesis Statement"" Web. http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml Milton, John. “On His Blindness.” Web. http://www.bartleby.com/101/318.html