Essential Literary and Rhetorical Terms Defined

A comprehensive glossary covering key concepts in literature, drama, rhetoric, and general vocabulary.

Persuade

To induce, move, or provide compelling reasons for someone to believe or do something.

Convince

1. To incite or move someone with reasons to change their opinion or behavior.
2. To prove something so conclusively that it cannot be rationally denied.

Anaphora

1. (Liturgical) In Greek and Eastern liturgies, the part of the mass corresponding to the preface and the canon in the Roman liturgy, whose essential part is the consecration.
2. (Rhetorical/Linguistic) A type of deixis where certain words refer back to the meaning of a previously stated part of speech (e.g., "what had been said, but I did not believe").

Flashback

A retrospective passage that interrupts the chronological sequence of a literary work or narrative.

Prolepsis

1. (Philosophy) In the doctrine of the Epicureans and Stoics, the advance knowledge or preconception of something.
2. (Rhetoric) A figure of speech in which the author anticipates and answers a potential objection.

Installation

1. The action and effect of mounting (assembling parts of a device or machine).
2. A composition achieved by combining two or more recordings or elements (often used in art).

Anachronism

An error in chronology; an alteration of the chronological order of events in a story or narrative.

Poetic Art

The art or theory of poetry, often using lyrical resources (rhyme, verse, meter) to discuss the nature of poetry itself.

Manifesto

A public declaration of the intentions, motives, or views of an individual or group, often written by artists or poets.

Mutis

1. (Theater) The act of withdrawing from the scene, and by extension, from elsewhere.
2. An indication for a person to remain silent.

Soliloquy

1. The act of thinking aloud while alone.
2. A dramatic speech delivered by a character alone on stage, revealing their thoughts.

Statement (Annotation or Stage Direction)

1. A signal or mark placed in the margin of a written or printed text.
2. (Theater) Each of the notes placed in a play, explaining the action, movement of characters, or stage setting.

Aside

A remark or passage by a character in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by the other characters in the play; also, elsewhere or separately.

Dialectic

The art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions; reasoning, arguing, and debating.

Colloquial Language

Informal language used in conversation, which may or may not be appropriate for formal written work.

Analogy (Analog)

A comparison between two things for the purpose of explanation or clarification; similarity or correspondence.

Innocuous

Harmless.

Exotic

Foreign.

Campy

Eccentric.

Overwhelming

Intense, crushing; (as provided synonym) to irritate.

Exasperating

Intensely irritating; (as provided synonym) to abate.

Captive

Seduced.

Inevitable

Unavoidable; (as provided synonym) severe.

Previous

Preceding; (as provided synonym) history.

Replica

A copy or reproduction; to repeat.

Perpetual

Durable, everlasting.

Fission

The act of splitting or dividing; splitting failure.

Knob

Handle or grip.

Quote

To cite, reference, or call upon.

Abrupt

Violent or rude.

Event

Possibility or contingency.

Convincing

Persuasive, eloquent.

Notable

Patent, ostensible, or worthy of attention.

Detailed

Meticulous, careful.

Peculiar

Singular, particular.

Loa

Commendation or praise; also, a short theatrical piece.