Literary Terms
Sam Young, Nevyat Gebru,
Joshua Inyangson, John Nguyen
Diction
Origin - Latin “to say”
Definition - Denotes the word choice and
phrasing in a literary work.
Formal Diction
Definition - Diction that creates a sense of authority and
includes words or phrases that would typically not be
used in everyday conversation.
Typically includes:
● Using Latinate vocabulary rather than Anglo-Saxon
(propitious instead of lucky, converse instead of talk)
● Lengthy complex sentences with many subordinate
clauses
● Use of periphrasis (zephyrs instead of warm winds,
warblers instead of songbirds)
Colloquial Diction
Definition:plain syntax, either simple sentences or
compound sentences made up of clauses linked by “and”
Typically uses:
● monosyllabic
● Anglo-Saxon
● emphasis on nouns
Abstraction
Definition - the extent to which it deals with
general concepts. Language that describe
concepts (like ideas and qualities) and not
concrete images.
ex. love, patriotism, beauty, time
Concreteness
Definition - with physical objects, like imagery,
and emotive and sensual details.
ex. lips, gun, silky gown, shrill cry
Poetic Diction
Definition - Phrasing and vocabulary that is
characteristic of poetry.
● refers to the style of 18th century
neoclassical poets
○
“decorum” - highly formal word choice suitable to a
lofty subject and a refined audience.
Examples
● Words derived from Latin like “provoke”,
“celestial”, and “repressed”
● Personification of abstract moral qualities
like “Honor”
● Antiquated Words - “o”, “abide”, “ere”
● Poetic Contractions - “ne’er” (never), ‘tis (it
is), and “morn” (morning).
Allusion
● Origin - Latin “to play with”
● Classification: Rhetorical Device
● Definition: Passing reference in a work of literature to
another literary or historical work, figure, event, or
literary passage
○ reference is not explained
○ gives the reader a better understanding of the text by
referencing something similar
Ex. “Though I have seen my head (grown slightly bald) brought upon a platter,
I am no prophet—and here’s no great matter…”
● Alludes to John the Baptist, who was beheaded
Analogy
● Origin: Greek “proportionate”
● Classification: Rhetorical Device
● Definition: Comparison of a subject to
something that is similar
○
○
To help readers understand the passage by relating
incidents to something common
Helps to clarify or emphasize themes, motifs or ideas
● Similes and metaphors are analogy based
○
like or as vs no like or as
Examples
● “ As soon as I saw the elephant, I knew with
perfect certainty that I ought not to shoot
him. It is a serious matter to shoot a
working elephant - it is comparable to
destroying a huge and costly piece of
machinery (Shooting an Elephant - George
Orwell)
● Comparing elephant to machinery to
clarify and emphasize a point