Unit 1 Regional Voices
accomplices
those associated with someone engaged in wrongdoing
aesthetic impact
the lasting impression a text makes upon a reader
allusion
a reference in one literary work to another literary or historical work or character
analogy
a comparison emphasizing the relationship between two things
anticlimax
an unexpected shift from an important idea or situation to one that is trivial or humorous
blackguarding
abusing with words
burlesque
in literature, absurd instances of exaggeration, used to highlight human failings
capering
leaping or prancing around
censorship
the act of suppressing something, such as speech or writing, based on a perception of the content
characterization
the way in which an author presents a character and then develops him or her throughout the novel
characters
people depicted in a narrative
character traits
the qualities of a character
climax
the moment of greatest emotional tension in a story
clustering
a pre-writing activity in which the writer starts with an idea and associates other ideas from it (also known as brainstorming)
colloquial
reflecting the informal spoken language peculiar to a place and time
colloquialism
language that is standard but informal
coming-of-age story
a story that traces a character’s growth from childhood to maturity
conflict
a struggle between characters or situations
connotation
a suggestion; in literature, the meaning of a word that goes beyond its literal meaning
connotative
associated meanings beyond the explicit meaning of words
context
a group of words that, taken together, create meaning in a text
counter-claim
a contrasting, opposing, or refuting argument
cowardice
lack of courage to face danger, difficulty, opposition, or pain
cravat
a tie worn around the neck (here used sarcastically to refer to the hangman's noose)
deductive reasoning
begins with a generalization and then draws conclusions in a more local or specific example
denotation
the literal definition of a word
dialect
the speech patterns of a specific region or group of people
dialogue
conversation between characters in a narrative
denouement
the resolution that usually occurs near the final stages of the plot
disposition
mood or temperament; the condition of something
elegy
a poem expressing sorrow for the dead
explicit
stated directly and clearly; unambiguous
explicit meaning
the obvious or stated meaning of a text
expository
assisting in an explanation of something
expository essay
informative or explanatory writing that requires research and analysis of a subject, explaining information, examining causes, or comparing one point of view to another in order to state and support the writer’s interpretation of the subject
feminist literature
works of fiction or nonfiction that address women's issues, often dealing with the fact that women's roles in society are unequal to those of men
free writing
an exercise in which the writer fills the blank page, without editing, in order to stimulate his or her thoughts for more formal writing
foot
two or three syllables making up one unit of poetic verse
foreshadowing
a writing technique that offers hints of what is going to happen in a story
greenhorns
country bumpkins; unsophisticated, unworldly rural people
historical context
the setting of a particular time period or event in terms of its social, political, cultural, and economic characteristics
hyperbole
an exaggeration; not something to be entirely believed
iambic
a foot of poetic verse in an unstressed-stressed combination
implicit meaning
the meaning of a text that is suggested but not directly stated
inductive reasoning
a line of thought that uses a specific example to make a claim that it is true in all cases
infer
deduce or conclude
inference
conclusion about something formed or presented based on an idea, facts, or evidence
irony
an event that is the opposite of what the reader expected; expressing something that is the opposite of the literal meaning, often used humorously
local color
the presentation of the features and peculiarities of a particular locality and its inhabitants
metaphor
a figure of speech that directly compares one seemingly unrelated thing to another
meter
a recurring pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables
morality
personal and social principles of right and wrong
narrative
telling a story; presenting an account of something
narrative point of view
the perspective from which a story is told
narrative voice
the way in which an author tells a story
obsequies
funeral rites, such as eulogies and prayers
omniscient narrator
a narrator who knows everything about the characters in a story and relates the characters' thoughts, feelings, and actions to the reader
paradox
a statement that contradicts another statement or fact and often points to a larger truth
personification
a figure of speech that gives nonhuman objects human qualities
persuasive
having the ability to influence thought or action
persuasive essay
an essay that uses logic to win a reader over to a point of view
point of view
the viewpoint of the storyteller of a work
prediction
an informed guess about events that will occur later in a text
rapscallion
a rascal; a mischievous person
realism
a literary movement in America that began in 1865 and flourished until approximately 1890; the movement stressed the importance of defining realistic characters, settings, and situations in literature
reference material
informational materials that can be used for academic purposes
regionalism
emphasis on a geographic area and its characteristics in art or literature
regional realism
depiction of a specific region in a realistic manner
reminiscing
remembering and talking or writing about past experiences
rhetoric
persuasive communication in speech or writing
rhetorical strategies
persuasive strategies used to support claims and counter-claims
rhyme
similar sounds at the ends of lines of poetry
sarcasm
using biting or ironic language to scorn or ridicule something, especially human behavior
satire
in literature, making fun of a human failing in an effort to bring it to light for the reader; satire is often used by authors in an effort to address a social injustice or inequality
semi-autobiographical
an autobiographical work that is in large part fiction but is modeled on the life of the author
seminal text
original writing that has a significant impact on historical events or other elements of life
sentimentality
the quality or state of being marked or governed by feeling, sensibility, or emotional idealism, especially to excess
setting
the place, time, and social context of a text
simile
a figure of speech that compares two things using the words like or as
situational irony
something that happens that contradicts expectations
slang
language that is very informal and not considered standard
slavery
the condition of a slave; bondage
sockdolager
something final or decisive, such as a heavy blow
social context
circumstances in public environments or groups that affect the way people live and behave
source
something that supplies information, such as a text, film, or photograph
stereotype
a belief about an entire group of people, determined by commonly held ideas
style
the way an author uses language to create his or her unique voice
subject
the topic of a novel or story
subtext
implied or implicit ideas, thoughts, or motives embedded in the story or plot of a narrative text
summary
a short restatement of the main points of a text or speech
symbol
attaching a deeper meaning, beyond the literal definition, to a person, object, or place
symbolism
using objects, actions, or ideas as representations for something beyond their literal meaning
textual evidence
information found in a work of literature that can be used to support an argument or position
theme
a message about a particular topic being communicated through the text; literary works often have multiple themes
thesis
a position taken or a main idea stated in a text
tone
in writing, the feeling created by the words and structure of the text
understatement
something that is described as being less than it is
universal theme
a fundamental, meaningful idea explored in a literary work that applies to all cultures and people
vernacular
local or regional speech, including pronunciation and vocabulary
word choice
the way a writer chooses specific words in a text
Unit 2 Modernism in America
aesthetic
pertaining to beauty or good taste
allusions
references to other works without mentioning them explicitly
American English
the dialect of English most commonly spoken in the United States
aside
a piece of dialogue directed toward the audience that other characters on the stage are not supposed to hear
authentic
genuine and real
black experience
the aspects of life that African Americans have in common with each other
blank verse
unrhymed poetry with a regular meter
characterization
the representation of a person's qualities through actions, gestures, or speech patterns
colloquial language
informal language, such as the grammatical structures and vocabulary used in everyday speech
conceit
an extended comparison, using similes and/or metaphors, in a poem
conflict
a struggle between a character and an opposing force
conformity
behaving in accordance with socially accepted norms and expectations
connotative language
words that have meanings and feelings associated with them that extend beyond their definition
contradictory statements
two assertions that cannot both be true
contrast
striking differences between things that are being compared
cultural norms
a society or culture’s rules and expectations that guides the actions and behavior of its members
dialect
a variation of a language that is distinguished by its pronunciation, grammar alterations, slang, and common vocabulary
diaspora
the movement or scattering of a people outside of its native land and across a large area
diction
an author’s choice of words
domineering
controlling in an arrogant, overbearing way
dramatic monologue
a poem or speech in which the speaker addresses a listener and reveals thoughts and feelings
epigraph
a short quote or saying at the beginning of a literary work that suggests its theme or tone
explicit
meaning that is made clear or explained
expressionism
a movement in the fine arts during the latter part of the nineteenth and early part of the 20th centuries that originated in Europe and emphasized the objective expression of inner experience through the use of conventional characters and symbols, especially in art and drama
figurative language
language that has a meaning other than the literal definition
flashback
an interruption in a story in order to portray or recount an incident or scene from the past
foil
a character whose traits are emphasized by being in sharp contrast to the traits of another character
folklore
mythology, legends, songs, sayings, games, and other popular traditions of a culture as handed down from generation to generation by word-of-mouth
free verse
poetry that does not follow a fixed metrical pattern
front porch culture
various early twentieth-century American customs and recreational activities that commonly took place on the front porch
Great Migration
the movement from 1916-1970 in which many blacks left the rural South to live in large cities in the North and West
Harlem Renaissance
a blossoming of African American culture, especially in the arts, during the 1920s, centered in New York City
iambic pentameter
the rhythm of a line of poetry where each line of poetry has five feet that consist of one unaccented syllable followed by an accented syllable, similar to the English speech pattern
identity
the characteristics, values, and beliefs that belong to a person and define who they are; there are various forms of identity
imagery
sensory pictures a writer paints in words that vividly engage the imagination of the reader
implied
indicated or suggested without being directly stated
infer
to conclude from evidence
inference
a conclusion drawn from clues in a text based on ideas that are implied but not directly stated in a text
insight
an understanding of someone or something that is gained through intuition, rather than facts
juxtaposition
the placement of two images, settings, themes, ideas, or characters next to each other in order to contrast them
literary device
a convention or technique that allows an author to convey certain ideas through a piece of writing
literary structure
the way the author organizes the various elements of a story
the lost generation
American modernist writers who were active after World War I and whose works depicted a loss of faith in human moral values and a loss of confidence in progress
lyric poetry
poems, often sonnets or odes, that address readers directly, expressing the poet’s feelings, perceptions, or state of mind
melodrama
story in a movie or play that centers on events of tragedy and scandal, and the emotional impact on participants
melodramatic
exaggeratedly emotional or sentimental
metaphor
a comparison of one object to another by saying it is that object
mirroring
to imitate or repeat
modernism
a literary movement that began in the early 1900s in which writers experimented with form and rejected traditional ways of viewing the world
monologue
a speech in which a single character speaks to himself or herself
motif
a distinctive feature or idea that is frequently repeated within an artistic work
paralysis
in a literary text, the inability of a character to act
pastoral
a literary style in which nature and rural landscapes are idealized
personification
giving human or living characteristics to a non-human or living thing, abstract idea, or concept
perspective
the vantage point from which something is viewed and understood
premise
knowledge based on previous explanation; proven proposition
prolific
abundant invention or creative production
realism
a literary technique in which the author attempts to accurately represent and explore a topic
renaissance artist
a term used to describe someone who has broad accomplishments in many areas
repetition
actions, words, or other things that occur or are said multiple times
rhyme scheme
the pattern of end rhymes used in a poem, usually marked by lower case letters that change with each different rhyme
satire
literary work intended to scorn or ridicule immoral and foolish human behavior by using description or dialog that keenly articulates ironic humor
simile
a comparison of one object to another by saying it is “like” or “as” another object
sonnet
a fourteen-line poem that is written in iambic pentameter, following a specific rhyme pattern
spectrum
a range of related qualities or ideas
structure
how the basic elements of the story are arranged and how they pertain to a specific literary genre; the way the organization of the story develops patterns for emphasis in meaning
subtext
the underlying development of an idea or character as conveyed through the plot
symbolism
something that represents something else in terms of ideas, emotions, or qualities.
textual evidence
support for a reader’s conclusions found within the work of literature being analyzed
theme
a central message or universal idea in a literary work
tone
manner of expression in speech or writing; the general quality, effect, or atmosphere
topic
what a literary work is generally about and can be stated in just a phrase or two
understatement
when someone makes something seem less important or serious than it actually is
universality
the quality, fact, or condition of being common to all purposes, conditions, and situations
vernacular
language or dialect spoken by ordinary people
wit
astute and humorous perception based on intelligent reasoning that reveals a quick, clever response
Unit 3 Post-world War II
address
a formal speech
alliteration
the repetition of consonants at the beginning of nonrhyming words
analysis
methodical examination by breaking the whole into parts
analyze
to look at parts of a whole text and how they relate
archetype
original, idealized model of a type of person, object, or idea
articulate
to express oneself clearly and distinctly
audience
groups or individuals who receive a message
bias
prejudice in favor of a certain person, idea, or group
central idea
an overarching idea explored throughout a work of literature
character
a person in a short story, novel, drama, or narrative poem
Civil Rights Movement
the national effort of the 1950s and 1960s led primarily by blacks to end segregation and to secure equal rights in American politics and culture
concrete detail
specific, particular words to describe a real thing
connotation
the emotional association of a word beyond its literal meaning
contrast
two or more images or concepts arranged to highlight the differences of each
convention
an accepted way of thinking or behaving
cultural context
the circumstances surrounding an event that are unique to the time and place of the event
dark humor
like sarcasm, it is intended to "sting"
describe
to give an idea or impression of
diction
word choice by a writer for meaning or emphasis
envoi
concluding stanza
essay
a short work of nonfiction on a single topic whose purpose is to convey an idea or opinion
free verse
poetry that does not use a fixed meter or rhyme scheme
garish
showy in a gaudy, lurid way
gender roles
society’s expectation of how members of each sex should behave
genre
a kind of literature with its own style, form, or subject matter that makes it different from other kinds of literature
grotesque
distorted in a repulsive way
Harlem Renaissance
blossoming of African American culture—especially in the arts—during the 1920s, centered in New York City
historical context
the setting for a political, social, or cultural event
idiom
an expression that means something different from the literal translation of the words
imagery
visual and descriptive figurative language that creates emotion in a piece of literature
imply
to express or say indirectly
inaugural
marking the beginning of a term of office
infer
to make a conclusion using knowledge and logic
inference
a conclusion based on evidence in the text
interact
to act on each other
juxtaposition
a device in which two opposing images are placed side by side
logic
a method to present clear and effective arguments
media
a variety of methods used to communicate meaning
metaphor
direct comparison of two dissimilar items to emphasize their similarities and convey emotion
mood
the atmosphere or tone of a work
narrative essay
an essay in which an author tells a story about his or her real-life experiences
New Deal
the package of government assistance mandated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to provide relief to Americans suffering from the effects of the Great Depression
objectivity
a lack of bias or judgment
oxymoron
a figure of speech that provides contradictory ideas
paraphrase
to restate a text in your own words
personification
giving human qualities to animals or inanimate objects
petrified
changed into a stony substance
plot
the sequence of events in a short story, novel, drama, or narrative poem
poetic devices
language techniques a poet uses to enhance the musical quality of a poem and make it beautiful
point of view
the position the narrator of work of literature takes in relation to the story being told
postmodernism
a movement away from objective reality toward a more personal view of reality, with a focus on one’s own experiences and reality
satire
writing that makes fun of human behavior in order to condemn it or to seek social reform
segregation
the legal and/or social separation of black and white Americans in the use of public facilities
sestina
a form of verse that dates back to the Middle Ages
setting
the time and place in which the events of a short story, novel, drama, or narrative poem occur
short story
a brief fictional narrative in prose
simile
an expression that uses "like" or "as" to compare two seemingly unlike things
standard English
a formal and grammatically-correct version of English
stanza
a group of lines forming a unit in a poem
supernatural
forces beyond science or the laws of nature
symbol
item used to represent something of greater significance in a culture
synecdoche
part of something or someone used to represent the whole
synthesize
to combine in order to form a new idea
textual evidenc
information found in a work of literature that can be used to support an argument or position
theme
the central message of a literary work, which is usually expressed as a general statement about life
third-person narrative
writing from the point of view of "he" or "she"
tone
the attitude of the author toward the subject, ideas, themes; or characters in a literary work
universal theme
fundamental, meaningful idea explored in all cultures
usage
how something is used; in grammar, how words are used
virgule
a slash or stroke (/) that divides two words in a poem to deepen the poem's meaning and effect.
voice
the distinctive use of language that conveys the author’s personality to the reader
Women’s Rights Movement
a social movement for gender equality