Literature Review Terms

A reference in one work of literature to a person, place, or event in another work of literature.

The repition of similar sounds, usually consonants or consonant clusters, in a group of words. Examples: "safe and sound," "brown as a berry," and "the more the merrier"

Words spoken by a character in a play, usually in an undertone, not intended to be heard by other characters on the stage.

Verse written in unrhymed iambic pentameter, where each line usually contains ten syllables and every other syllable is stressed.

Persons-or animals, things, or natural forces presented as persons-appearing in a short story, novel, play or narrative poem.

The point that is the greatest emotional intensity, interest, or suspense in a narrative.

A struggle between two opposing forces or characters in a short story, novel, play, or narrative poem.

Two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme.

A story acted out, usually on a stage, by actors and actresses who take the parts of specific characters.

(1) A person agianst another person. (2) A person agianst society. (3) A person agianst nature. (4) Two elements or ideas struggling for mastery within a person.

A device whereby the audience (or reader) understands more of the situation or of what is being said than the character is aware of.

The kind of writing that is intented primarily to present information.

All of the action in a play that follows a turning point. It leads to the resolution or the conclusion of the play.

Two consecutive lines of rhyming poetry that are written in iambic pentameter and that contain a complete thought. There is usually one pause at the end of the first line, and another heavier pause at the end of the second line.

The most common verse line in English poetry. It is an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.