A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things by stating that one thing is another, highlighting a particular quality or aspect they share, without using "like" or "as". For example, saying "Time is a thief" suggests that time steals moments from lives, even though time is not literally a thief. Metaphors help convey meanings and emotions in a more vivid and imaginative way by creating direct comparisons between different concepts.

What is a "metaphor"?

metaphor

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A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words "like" or "as" to highlight a similarity between them. For example, saying "Her smile was like sunshine" compares the warmth and brightness of her smile to the sun, making the description more vivid and expressive. Similes are used to create clearer or more imaginative descriptions by drawing parallels between familiar concepts and the subject being described.

What is a "simile"?

simile

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Imagery is a literary device that uses vivid and descriptive language to create mental pictures for the reader. It appeals to the senses, sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, to help the reader imagine the scene, character, or setting being described. For example, saying "The golden sunset bathed the mountains in a warm, amber glow" uses imagery to help the reader visualize the scene and feel the warmth of the sunset. Imagery enhances the reader's experience by making the descriptions more vivid and immersive.

What is "imagery"?

imagery

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Irony is a way of using language to say something that is intentionally contrary to what is meant, often to criticize or mock. It employs clever or sarcastic language to highlight flaws or shortcomings indirectly. For example, if someone who is consistently late is called "Mr. Punctual", the remark uses irony to emphasize the opposite of the truth and to subtly criticize the person's lack of punctuality. This form of irony is used to express disapproval or mock someone or something by pointing out their flaws in an indirect and often humorous way.

What is "irony"?

irony

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An anthology is a collection of selected works, such as poems, short stories, essays, or other written pieces, gathered into one book. These works are usually chosen based on a common theme, genre, or author, and the anthology serves as a way to showcase a variety of examples within that area. Anthologies are often used in literature courses to introduce students to different styles of writing or to provide a broad range of literary works from various authors. They offer readers a diverse selection of material, making it easier to explore different ideas and perspectives.

What is an "anthology"?

anthology

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footnote

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edition

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A publisher is a person or company responsible for producing and distributing books, articles, or other media. They oversee the entire process of bringing a work to market, including editing, design, printing, and marketing. Publishers handle tasks such as acquiring manuscripts, coordinating with authors, managing production schedules, and ensuring that the finished product reaches bookstores or other distribution channels. They also handle legal and financial aspects, such as contracts and royalties, to support the successful publication and sale of the work.

What is a "publisher"?

publisher

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reader

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A volume is a book or publication that is part of a series or set. Each volume in the series typically continues or completes a larger work, contributing to the overall narrative or subject matter. Volumes are numbered or titled to indicate their place in the series and often need to be read in sequence to fully understand the content. They help organize and present extensive or complex material in manageable parts.

What is a "volume"?

volume

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Chick lit refers to a genre of fiction that focuses on the lives of modern women, often dealing with themes such as relationships, career challenges, and personal growth. These stories are typically lighthearted, humorous, and written from a woman's perspective. While the characters may face real-life issues, the tone of chick lit is generally upbeat, and the plot often involves romantic or emotional development. The genre became particularly popular in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, appealing to readers who enjoy contemporary stories with relatable female characters.

What is "chick lit"?

chick lit

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Cyberpunk is a genre of science fiction that features a high-tech, futuristic world where advanced technology coexists with societal decay and often, dystopian elements. The genre typically focuses on themes like advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and hacking, set against a backdrop of corporate control and urban chaos. Cyberpunk stories often include protagonists who are anti-heroes or rebels navigating through a gritty, technologically advanced society. The genre explores the conflicts between technology and humanity, highlighting the impact of advanced technology on social and personal dynamics.

What is "cyberpunk"?

cyberpunk

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Science fiction is a genre of film, television, or literature that explores imaginative ideas based on science and future technology. It often includes elements such as advanced technology, space travel, time travel, or life from other planets. The stories are set in worlds different from our own, often involving creative scenarios and inventions that go beyond current scientific knowledge. The goal of science fiction is to entertain and provoke thought by presenting interesting and inventive ideas about the future or alternative realities.

What is "science fiction"?

science fiction

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A theme in a literary or artistic piece is the main idea or underlying message that the creator wants to convey. It is the central topic or subject that brings the work together and gives it deeper meaning. Themes can explore a wide range of concepts, such as love, conflict, freedom, or human nature, and they help to provide insight and provoke thought in the audience.

What is a "theme"?

theme

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author

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A narrative thread is a continuous storyline or key element that ties together different parts of a larger narrative. It connects events, characters, and themes, providing a sense of unity and cohesion throughout the story. This thread helps guide the audience, ensuring that various parts of the narrative relate to one another and contribute to the overall progression of the plot.

What is a "narrative thread"?

narrative thread

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A Bildungsroman is a type of novel that focuses on the growth and development of a main character from youth to adulthood. It follows the character's journey through life as they face challenges, gain experience, and undergo personal transformation. The story typically explores themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the search for identity, showing how the character evolves and learns important life lessons along the way.

What is a "bildungsroman"?

bildungsroman

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A coming-of-age story is a genre focused on the growth and development of a young protagonist as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. These stories often explore the challenges, experiences, and personal growth that occur during this period of life. Themes commonly addressed include self-discovery, identity, relationships, and the journey toward maturity. Through the protagonist's experiences and interactions, coming-of-age stories provide insight into the process of growing up and finding one's place in the world.

What is a "coming-of-age story"?

coming-of-age [story|tale|narrative]

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Metafiction is a genre of literature that self-consciously addresses the nature of fiction and storytelling. It often involves stories that reflect on their own creation or acknowledge their fictional status. In metafiction, characters may be aware they are in a story, or the narrative might directly comment on the process of writing and storytelling. This genre plays with traditional boundaries between fiction and reality, often blurring the lines to challenge readers' perceptions of what is real and what is imagined. Metafiction can offer a commentary on literary conventions and the act of reading itself.

What is "metafiction"?

metafiction

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A picaresque novel is a genre of fiction that follows the adventures of a roguish, often lower-class protagonist who navigates through various social environments. The story typically features a series of episodic adventures, with the main character encountering different people and situations, often using their wits and charm to survive. These novels are known for their satirical tone and focus on the protagonist’s cleverness and resilience as they move through a diverse range of settings. The picaresque novel often provides social commentary on the society and class structures of its time.

What is a "picaresque novel"?

picaresque novel

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Blank verse is a type of poetry that is written in unrhymed lines, typically in iambic pentameter. This form is known for its natural rhythm, closely resembling the patterns of spoken English. Blank verse often allows poets to explore complex themes and emotions while maintaining a fluid and conversational tone. It has been widely used in English dramatic poetry and is particularly associated with the works of playwrights like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. The lack of rhyme gives poets the freedom to express ideas and narratives without the constraints of a specific rhyme scheme, while the rhythmic structure adds a musical quality to the language.

What is "blank verse"?

blank verse

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An ode is a formal and often elaborate lyrical poem that expresses deep feelings or thoughts about a particular subject, usually of significant importance, such as nature, beauty, love, or a person. Odes typically follow a specific structure and can vary in length, often featuring a serious tone and elevated language. This form allows poets to explore their emotions and reflections in a rich and expressive way. The use of vivid imagery and rhetorical devices in odes helps to convey the intensity of the poet's feelings, inviting readers to share in their admiration or contemplation of the chosen subject.

What is an "ode"?

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A sonnet is a structured form of poetry that consists of fourteen lines, typically written in iambic pentameter. Sonnets often explore themes of love, beauty, time, or nature, and they usually include a volta, or turn, which introduces a shift in perspective or argument. This form allows poets to convey complex emotions and ideas within a tight structure, making it a popular choice throughout literary history. The rhyme scheme and meter contribute to the musical quality of the poem, enhancing its expressive power.

Who is a "sonnet"?

sonnet

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A haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that consists of three lines with a specific syllable pattern: five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third. Haikus often focus on nature, seasonal changes, or fleeting moments, capturing a deep emotion or insight in a concise manner. This form emphasizes simplicity and clarity, using vivid imagery and minimal language to evoke feelings and provoke thought. Haikus invite readers to pause and reflect on the beauty of the world, making them a popular choice for poets seeking to express profound ideas in a compact structure.

What is a "haiku"?

haiku

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An epic is a genre of film, literature, or other storytelling that features grand, large-scale narratives with significant events and expansive settings. It often involves heroic characters and monumental themes such as battles, quests, or historical events. The story typically spans a long period of time and explores the characters' journeys through major challenges and adventures. The goal of an epic is to provide a broad and dramatic portrayal of its subject matter, offering a sense of grandeur and importance.

What is an "epic"?

epic

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A ballad is a type of song or poem that tells a story, often about historical events, legends, or romantic tales. Ballads are typically characterized by their narrative style and can be set to music with a simple and memorable melody. They often follow a repetitive structure with verses and a chorus, making them easy to sing and remember. Ballads have been popular across various cultures and eras, serving as a way to convey stories and emotions through both music and words.

What is a "ballad"?

ballad

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A stanza is a grouped set of lines in a poem, often separated from other stanzas by a blank line. Stanzas function similarly to paragraphs in prose, organizing thoughts and ideas into distinct sections. They can vary in length, structure, and rhyme scheme, allowing poets to create different effects and rhythms within their work. The arrangement of stanzas contributes to the overall flow and visual presentation of a poem, helping to guide the reader's experience and enhance the thematic elements of the piece.

What is a "stanza"?

stanza

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A motif is a recurring element, such as a symbol, idea, or theme, that appears throughout a literary work and contributes to its overall meaning or message. It is used to develop and reinforce the main themes or ideas by repeating certain elements in different contexts. For example, a motif like a recurring image of a broken mirror in a novel might symbolize characters' fractured identities or perceptions. Motifs help create a sense of unity and depth within a story by connecting various parts and highlighting important concepts.

What is a "motif"?

motif

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tone

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Mood is the emotional atmosphere or feeling that a story, scene, or piece of writing creates for the audience. It is established through various elements such as setting, tone, and language, influencing how the audience feels while engaging with the narrative. Mood can range from joyful and uplifting to dark and suspenseful, and it helps to shape the reader's or viewer's overall experience and emotional response to the story.

What is "mood"?

mood

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Here, you will learn some English words related to Literature that are necessary for the Academic IELTS exam.

学术雅思词汇："文学"