Module 3: Literary Terms and Conventions
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Activity 1 : : Activity 2 : : Activity 3 : : Activity 4
In this module you will learn the meaning of general literary terms and conventions and how they are used to suggest meaning, advance plot and allow the reader to evaluate a work of literature.
Activity 1: Key Terms and Concepts
Some of these general literary terms, elements of literature and conventions apply to the areas of poetry, fiction, and drama. Learn these terms and definitions and they will come in handy for later modules. If you visit MyLiteratureLab on Course Compass the Module 3 – Literary Elements section has a glossary of terms that can help you to create your study notes.
A. General Literary Terms
- Alliteration
- Assonance
- Connotation
- Denotation
- Epic
- Epiphany
- Genre
- Lyric
- Monologue
- Motivation
- Motif
- Narrative
- Onomatopoeia
- Persona
- Setting
- Subgenres
- Novel
- Fiction
- Nonfiction
- Apprenticeship Novel
- Epic Novel
- Epistolary Novel
- Picaresque Novel
- Novella
- Subplot
B. Literary Elements
Plot:
- Exposition
- Foreshadowing
- Conflict
- Man vs. man
- Man vs. nature
- Man vs. society
- Man vs. self
- Recognition
- Rising Action
- Crisis
- Climax
- Falling Action
- Denouement (Resolution)
Characterization:
- Protagonist
- Antagonist
- Hero
- Antihero
- Foil
- Stock Character
- Flat Character
- Round Character
Point of View:
- First Person
- Third Person Objective
- Third Person Limited
- Third Person Omniscient
Irony:
- Verbal irony
- Irony of Situation
- Dramatic Irony
Figurative Language
- Apostrophe
- Conceit
- Hyperbole (Overstatement)
- Metaphor
- Metonymy
- Paradox
- Personification
- Simile
- Synecdoche
- Transferred Epithet
- Understatement
Diction
Tone/Mood
Symbolism
Theme
Imagery
C. Literary Conventions
- Allegory
- Allusion
- Aside
- Convention
- Dialogue
- Deus ex machina
- Flashback
- Foreshadowing
- In media res
- Satire
- Soliloquy
- Sonnet
Look up these terms in the glossary of your textbook or in the Glossary of terms on MyLiteratureLab Module 3 and learn their definitions. Create a visual schematic of these terms using concept maps, notes, or flash cards. Enter these key terms, definitions, concepts and vocabulary into your notebook or computer file. In your notebook, group these terms conceptually by putting all of each type together. One example of a group would be “Literary Conventions.”
