Essential Literary Devices and Vocabulary Terms Defined

Essential Literary Terms and Definitions

Definitions for key literary devices and concepts found on textbook pages 18, 35, 123, 137, 156, 168, and 198.

• Assonance: The repetition of similar vowel sounds in unrhymed, stressed syllables.
• Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds in stressed syllables.
• Elegy: A formal poem mourning the loss of someone or something important.
• Folk Epic: A long narrative poem originating from ancient times, about heroes, typically recited or sung, and passed orally from generation to generation (e.g., Beowulf).
• Literary Epic: A long narrative poem about heroes, originally written by an individual author (e.g., Homer's Odyssey).
• Epic Conventions: Traditional characteristics or features found in epic poetry.
• Allegory: A narrative that possesses a literal meaning, a deeper meaning, and a symbolic meaning.
• Frame Story: A narrative structure that brackets—or places in between—another story or group of stories.
• Romance: A narrative that recounts strange, supernatural events, often set in exotic locations.
• Elements of Medieval Romance: Key components including kings, knights, damsels in distress, heroic figures, memorable deeds; quests or contests for something important; tests of character; and patterns or events repeated three times.
• Ballad: A narrative poem, often composed of four-line stanzas with the second and fourth lines rhyming, frequently set to music.
• Folk Ballad: An anonymous composition passed orally between generations by singers, typically recounting sensational events and everyday calamities.
• Refrain: A line, phrase, or dialogue that is repeated within a ballad or poem.

Vocabulary in Context: Sentence Examples

Sentence examples using vocabulary words listed from textbook pages 18, 38, 82, and 95.

• Admonish: When admonishing players, the referee should speak with politeness and in a firm manner.
• Fervent: He was fervent in spirit, serving the Lord with dedication.
• Rapture: The minister’s powerful words gave the audience feelings of rapture.
• Solace: After Mother’s departure, I found solace in reading her letters.
• Writhing: Slowly writhing on the ground, the snake approached the unsuspecting rabbit.
• Loathsome: The loathsome images from the battlefield made us both angry and sad.
• Promontories: Hidden behind those rocky promontories, the old castle still stands.

Synonyms for Key Vocabulary (TB Page 199)

Similar words for terms found on textbook page 199 (excluding "measure").

• Aldermen: Town councilmen
• Succor: Help or assistance
• Remnant: Leftover piece or trace
• Ransacked: Looted or thoroughly searched
• Asunder: Separated or torn apart

Antonyms for Vocabulary Terms (TB Pages 156, 168)

Opposite words for terms found on textbook pages 156 and 168.

• Courtly: Unrefined or crude
• Frugally: Lavishly or extravagantly
• Deference: Disrespect or contempt
• Despondent: Cheerful or hopeful
• Adjure: Obey or comply
• Adroitly: Inexpertly or clumsily
• Largesse: Stinginess or miserliness
• Entreated: Demanded or insisted
• Peril: Safety or security