Literary_Terms_and_Concepts_to_Define

LITERARY TERMS AND CONCEPTS TO DEFINE Define each of the 11 terms listed below. These definitions must be in your own words; if you use any outside sources, it must be paraphrased, not quoted, and all such sources must be cited using APA citation practices. Additionally, each definition must also identify and explain an example of the term found in one or more of the reading assignments for Week One. Allusion – An allusion is an indirect reference to literature or art (Dictionary.com, 2010). An example from The Hack Driver by Sinclair Lewis: The express man will probably get to Heaven’s gate and call St Peter “Pete” (LaRocco & Coughlin, 1996, p. 59). Connotation – A connotation occurs when you suggest certain meanings as well as the explicit or primary meaning: An implied meaning of a word. The word “hearth” often connotes hospitality, warmth, comfort, etc. (Dictionary.com, 2010). An example from To Be of Use, by Marge Piercy: Good workers are referred to as becoming natives to the elements of their work environment (LaRocco & Coughlin, 1996, p. 248). It implies they perform their jobs naturally and easily, so the connotation is positive. Denotation – A denotation is a word that signifies something specific, like a dictionary meaning (Dictionary.com, 2010.) An example from To Be of Use, by Marge Piercy: Workers who do not dally in the shadows (LaRocco & Coughlin, 1996, p. 248). The word “dally” has a literal meaning. It means to waste time by playing when there is work to be done. Figurative language – Figurative language means either writing or speech that strays from a literal meaning so you can achieve a special meaning or effect (Dictionary.com, 2010). An example from Old Florist, by Theodore Roethke: The author asks how the florist could fan life into wilted sweet-peas with his hat (LaRocco & Coughlin, 1996, p. 243). Simile – A simile is a figure of speech when two things that are not the same are explicitly compared, like “he is like Adonis”. It usually includes the words “like” or “as” (Dictionary.com, 2010). An example from Balthazar’s Adventurous Afternoon, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez: “He had two weeks' growth, short, hard, and bristly hair like the mane of a mule,” (LaRocco & Coughlin, 1996, p. 66). Metaphor – A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a phrase is applied to something, not literally applicable so it will suggest a resemblance (Dictionary.com, 2010). An example Nick Salerno, by Studs Terkel: Driving a garbage truck eventually becomes like a milkman’s horse, like dropping off bottles of milk (LaRocco & Coughlin, 1996, p. 192). The reader can see that the garbage truck and the milkman’s horse are similar but different. Symbol – A symbol is a representation of an idea or concept that can have a different meaning throughout a literary work (Dictionary.com, 2010). An example from To Be of Use, by Marge Piercy: The pitcher crying for water to carry in the same way that a person longs for work (LaRocco & Coughlin, 1996, p. 249). It is a symbol of something that was made for a specific purpose and longs to do what it was created to do Hyperbole - A hyperbole is an obvious and intentional exaggeration, which is not intended to be taken literally, “I could sleep for a month” (Dictionary.com, 2010). An example from The Hack Driver, by Sinclair Lewis: She's somewheres about nine feet tall and four feet thick and quick's a cat (LaRocco & Coughlin, 1996, p. 62). Lewis exaggerates the anatomical structure of Lutkins' mother. Personification - A personification is a figure of speech in which an inanimate object is given a human quality: “Diamonds are a girls’ best friend.” (Dictionary.com, 2010). An example from Factory Work, by Deborah Boe: Boe (1996) personifies the air saying that it "snaps in the tree-knuckles" (LaRocco & Coughlin, 1996, p. 244). Irony – An irony is the use of words that give a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning (Dictionary.com, 2010). An example from The Hack Driver, by Sinclair Lewis: Demonstrates situational irony. The main character is a hired to do detective work and serve Oliver Lutkins. It's ironic that the detective was unable to detect that he was being deceived. His views of small cities is shattered in the end when he realizes that the villagers of small cities can be just as cunning and conniving as those in suburbia (LaRocco & Coughlin, 1996, p. 58). Satire – A satire is a literary composition, which can be either verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to ridicule (Dictionary.com, 2010). An example from The Hack Driver, by Sinclair Lewis: In the Hack Driver, Lewis makes reference to innkeepers that sneak off to shoot duck when they should be sweeping floors (LaRocco & Coughlin, 1996, p. 57). This statement points at innkeepers as though they are known for neglecting their responsibilities. References Allusion. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved July 18, 2010, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ Boe, D. (1996). Factory Work. The Art of the Workplace (pp.243-244). Ohio: South-Western Educational Publishing. Garcia Marquez, Gabriel. (1996). Balthazar’s Marvelous Afternoon. The Art of the Workplace. (pp.66-73). Ohio: South-Western Educational Publishing. LaRocco, C. & Caughlin, J. (1996). The Art of Work: An Anthropology of Workplace Literature. Cincinnati, OH: Southwestern Educational Publishing Lewis, Sinclair. (1996).The Hack Driver. The Art of the Workplace (pp. 57-64). Ohio: South-Western Educational Publishing. Piercy, Marge. (1996).To Be of Use. The Art of the Workplace (pp 248-249). Ohio: South-Western Educational Publishing. Roethke, Theodore. (1996). Old Florist. The Art of the Workplace (pp.242). Ohio: South-Western Educational Publishing. Terkel, S. (1996). Nick Salerno. The Art of the Workplace (pp.192-195). Ohio: South-Western Educational Publishing.