Freshman Post Test Review
Short Story
epic
tragic flaw
irony
protagonist
imagery
Plays
soliloquy
aside
prologue
monologue
foil
Poetry
alliteration
lyric poem
connotation
iambic pentameter poem
denotation
Non-fiction
syntax
diction
amplification
thesis
memoir
Vocabulary
abridge
trifle
obsolete
precarious
archaic
Review - Answer key
Short Story
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epic - a lengthy narrative poem in elevated language celebrating the adventures and
achievements of a legendary or traditional tragic hero
tragic flaw - a character flaw that causes the downfall of the protagonist in a tragedy
irony - humor based on using words to suggest the opposite of their literary meaning
protagonist - the most important character in a novel, play, story, or other literary work
imagery - used to enhance sensory experiences in a text
Plays
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soliloquy - the act of speaking while alone that allows a character’s thoughts and ideas
to be conveyed to the audience
aside - dramatic device in which the character speaks to the audience but is not heard
by other characters
prologue - introductory passage or speech before the main action of a written work
monologue - a long passage in a play spoken by one character
foil - a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist)
Poetry
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alliteration - a poetic or literary effect achieved by using several words that begin with
the same or similar consonants
lyric poem - a short poem of a songlike quality
connotation - the implying or suggesting of an additional meaning for a word or line in
poetry apart from the literal or main meaning
iambic pentameter poem - a common meter in a poem consisting of a line with five feet
or accents, each foot containing an unaccented syllable and an accented syllable
denotation - the most specific or literal meaning of a word or line in poetry, as opposed
to its figurative senses or connotations
Non-fiction
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syntax - the ordering of and relationship between the words and other structural
elements in phrases and sentences
diction - the choice of words in writing, usually judged in terms of prevailing standards of
pronunciation and elocution
amplification - the act or process of making a written account fuller or clearer
thesis - a proposition that is maintained by argument
memoir - somebody’s written account of his or her own life or of events in which he or
she took place
Vocabulary
 abridge - shorten
 trifle - of little value or importance
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obsolete - not used any more
precarious - risky, dangerous
archaic - ancient