Lit Terms #5

parallelism - noun similarity by virtue of corresponding

parody - noun humorous or satirical mimicry; a composition that imitates somebody's style in a humorous way; verb make a spoof of or make fun of; make a parody of
pathos - noun a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow); a style that has the power to evoke feelings; a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
pedantry - noun an ostentatious and inappropriate display of learning
personification - noun the act of attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas etc.; representing an abstract quality or idea as a person or creature; a person who represents an abstract quality
plot - noun a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal); the story that is told in a novel or play or movie etc.; a chart or map showing the movements or progress of an object; a small area of ground covered by specific vegetation; verb plan secretly, usually something illegal; make a plat of; make a schematic or technical drawing of that shows how things work or how they are constructed
poignant - adj. keenly distressing to the mind or feelings; arousing affect
point of view - noun a particular attitude or way of considering a matter; the narrator's position in relation to the story being told; the position from which something or someone is observed
postmodernism - noun genre of art and literature and especially architecture in reaction against principles and practices of established modernism
prose - noun ordinary writing as distinguished from verse; matter of fact, commonplace, or dull expression
protagonist - noun the principal character in a work of fiction; a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
pun - noun a humorous play on words; verb make a play on words
purpose - noun an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions; the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; what something is used for; verb reach a decision; propose or intend
realism - noun the attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth; (philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that physical objects continue to exist when not perceived; (philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that abstract concepts exist independent of their names; an artistic movement in 19th century France; artists and writers strove for detailed realistic and factual description; the state of being actual or real
refrain - noun the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers; verb resist doing something; choose not to consume
requiem - noun a Mass celebrated for the dead; a musical setting for a Mass celebrating the dead; a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
resolution - noun finding a solution to a problem; a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner; analysis into clear-cut components; a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote; (music) a dissonant chord is followed by a consonant chord; the subsidence of swelling or other signs of inflammation (especially in a lung); (computer science) the number of pixels per square inch on a computer-generated display; the greater the resolution, the better the picture; the trait of being resolute; something settled or resolved; the outcome of decision making; a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem; the ability of a microscope or telescope to measure the angular separation of images that are close together
restatement - noun a revised statement
rhetoric - noun study of the technique and rules for using language effectively (especially in public speaking); using language effectively to please or persuade; loud and confused and empty talk; high-flown style; excessive use of verbal ornamentation
rhetorical question - any question asked for a purpose other than to obtain the information the question asks
rising action - a series of related incidents builds toward the point of greatest interest. The rising action of a story is the series of events that begin immediately after the exposition (introduction) of the story and builds up to the climax
romanticism - noun impractical romantic ideals and attitudes; an exciting and mysterious quality (as of a heroic time or adventure); a movement in literature and art during the late 18th and early 19th centuries that celebrated nature rather than civilization
satire - noun witty language used to convey insults or scorn
scansion - noun analysis of verse into metrical patterns
setting - noun the context and environment in which something is set; the physical position of something; the state of the environment in which a situation exists; arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted; a mounting consisting of a piece of metal (as in a ring or other jewelry) that holds a gem in place; a table service for one person