Abstract Terms - Correct Answer Something existing in thought or as an idea but not having physical or concrete existence.
Concrete Terms - Correct Answer Abstract's opposite- existing in material or physical form, ex. stones, trees, the sea.
Acronym - Correct Answer An abbreviation for...
A Level English Literature: Key Terms
( ANSWERED)
Abstract Terms - Correct Answer Something existing in thought or as an idea but not
having physical or concrete existence.
Concrete Terms - Correct Answer Abstract's opposite- existing in material or physical
form, ex. stones, trees, the sea.
Acronym - Correct Answer An abbreviation formed from the first letter of a group of
words. These letters are then used to make one single word, ex. NASA, NSPCC, EU.
Acrostic - Correct Answer A poem where letters in each line form a word or set of
words.
Adumbrate - Correct Answer To give a sketchy outline of- to disclose partially or
guardedly.
Adynaton - Correct Answer A figure of speech in the form of hyperbole taken to such
extreme lengths insinuating complete impossibility, for example 'I will sooner have a
beard grow in the palm of my hand than he shall get one on his cheek'.
Aesthetic/ Aestheticism - Correct Answer Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of
beauty.
Afflatus - Correct Answer A divine creative impulse or inspiration.
Aleatory - Correct Answer Something which is random- relating to forms of art
involving random choice.
Allegory - Correct Answer The telling of one story in the guise of another in which each
main element of the new story corresponds to an element in the original story. A story,
poem, or picture which can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral
or political one.
Alliteration - Correct Answer A literary device, repeating the same sound or letter at the
beginning of words next to each other.
Allusion - Correct Answer A reference to another literary or historical figure, place or
event, or to another piece of literature
Alterity - Correct Answer The state of being other or different.
Ameliorate - Correct Answer Make something better.
,Anadiplosis - Correct Answer The repetition of a word or words in successive
sentences- the last word of a sentence starts the beginning of the next.
Anachronism - Correct Answer A thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than
that in which it exists, especially a thing that is old-fashioned.
Anacoluthon - Correct Answer An abrupt change of syntax ex. 'what I want is- like
anybody cares'.
Anacoenosis - Correct Answer Asking the opinion of others in a way that demonstrates
a common interest, ex. Do you not think we can do this now?
Anagnorisis - Correct Answer A moment where a character makes a critical discovery.
Analepsis - Correct Answer Another word for a flashback.
Analogy - Correct Answer A comparison between one thing and another.
Anamnesis - Correct Answer Recollection- thinking back to the past.
Anaphora - Correct Answer The same word repeated at the beginning of successive
lines, sentences, clauses ex. 'I repeat it was brilliant. I repeat it was good. I repeat it was
amazing.' Opposite of Epistrophe.
Anastrophe - Correct Answer Inversion of the natural word order.
Anecdote - Correct Answer A little story, usually interesting or amusing.
Antanomasia - Correct Answer The use of an epithet or title instead of a proper name,
ie. the bard for Shakespeare.
Anti-hero - Correct Answer A character who does not fit the normal mode of heroism.
Antiphrasis - Correct Answer Words used contrary to their meaning.
Antistrophe - Correct Answer Repeating the last word in successive phrases, ex. 'when
from our state concord disappeared, liberty disappeared, good faith disappeared,
friendship disappeared'.
Antimetabole - Correct Answer In rhetoric, a verbal pattern in which the second half of
an expression is balanced against the first but with the words in reverse grammatical
order (A-B-C, C-B-A)- I know what I like and I like what I know. It is like Chiasmus but
chiasmus doesn't use the same words or phrases.
Antithesis - Correct Answer The placing of ideas/ words/ phrases next to each other
which are contrasting or opposite.
, Apercu - Correct Answer A brief sketch/ outline/ summary.
Aperture - Correct Answer An opening, hole or gap which allows light to pass through.
Aphorism - Correct Answer A pithy (short) observation which contains a general truth,
Apocope - Correct Answer Omission of the final sound of a word, as when cup of tea is
pronounced as cuppa tea.
Apophasis/ Paralipsis - Correct Answer Denial to speak about a subject but by doing
so, you speak about it. ex. I shall not mention Tom's secret plots.
Aporia - Correct Answer An expression of doubt.
Aposiopesis - Correct Answer Suddenly breaking off in speech ex. his behaviour was
—but I blush to mention that.
Apostrophe - Correct Answer An address to a person or thing (often a God).
Apotheosis - Correct Answer A climax- the highest point in the development of
something.
Appellation - Correct Answer A name or title.
Applique - Correct Answer Used to refer to the structure of texts- how two plots
interweave.
Arcadia - Correct Answer Rural simplicity and contentment- a pastoral/ countryside
paradise.
Archetype/ Paradigm - Correct Answer An original or unique model which others are
based or influenced from.
Aside - Correct Answer A very brief soliloquy within a normal sentence of dialogue in
which a character speaks a short line specifically to the audience.
Assonance - Correct Answer The repetition of vowel sounds 'the queen will sweep
past the deep crowds'.
Asyndeton - Correct Answer Deliberate omission of conjunctions ex 'chips, beans,
peas, vinegar, salt, pepper' instead of 'chips and beans and peas and vinegar and salt
and pepper'.
Aubode/ Serenade - Correct Answer Aubode= a morning love song. Serenade= an
evening love song.
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