A novella is a work of fiction that is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. Typically ranging from about 20,000 to 50,000 words, a novella provides enough space to develop more complex plots and characters than a short story, but with a more focused narrative than a full-length novel. It often explores a single theme or event in depth, offering a complete and satisfying story within a more compact format. Novellas are valued for their ability to deliver a rich narrative experience without the extensive length of a novel.

What is a "novella"?

novella

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An epic is a lengthy narrative poem that recounts the adventures and heroic deeds of a central character, often of great significance or stature, such as a hero or a demigod. Epics typically explore grand themes like bravery, honor, and the struggles between good and evil, set against a backdrop of significant historical or mythological events. This form often features elevated language and a formal style, employing devices such as repetition and meter to enhance its grandeur.

What is an "epic"?

epic

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A chronicle is a detailed and factual account of events, often presented in chronological order. It records significant occurrences and developments over a period of time, providing a historical record of what happened. Chronicles can cover various topics, such as historical events, personal experiences, or the evolution of a particular subject. They are often used to document and preserve information for future reference and understanding.

What is a "chronicle"?

chronicle

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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 parody is a type of creative work that humorously imitates or exaggerates another work, often to make fun of it or comment on its style and content. In writing, music, or other forms of art, a parody takes the original piece and mimics its characteristics in a way that highlights its absurdities or shortcomings. The intention is usually to entertain or provoke thought by drawing attention to the original work's traits in a playful or critical manner. Parodies often use satire and exaggeration to achieve their effect.

What is a "parody"?

parody

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A fable is a short story that conveys a moral lesson or practical advice, often using animals as characters with human traits. These stories are designed to teach values or principles through simple, memorable narratives. The characters in a fable usually represent different qualities or behaviors, and their actions lead to a clear, instructive outcome. Fables aim to provide insights into human nature and ethical conduct in an engaging and easily understandable way.

What is a "fable"?

fable

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parable

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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 epigram is a brief, witty poem or statement that often conveys a clever or satirical observation. Typically just a few lines long, epigrams are known for their sharpness and concise expression of thought, often using irony or wordplay to deliver a memorable message. This form can address a wide range of topics, including love, philosophy, and social commentary, making it both engaging and thought-provoking.

What is an "epigram"?

epigram

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saga

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An epigraph is a short quotation or phrase that appears at the beginning of a book, chapter, or other literary work. It is used to set the tone, provide insight, or offer context for the content that follows. Epigraphs are often selected to reflect the themes or key ideas of the work and are usually attributed to another author or source, such as a poem, literary work, or historical figure.

What is an "epigraph"?

epigraph

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A limerick is a humorous, five-line poem with a specific rhythm and rhyme scheme, typically AABBA. The first, second, and fifth lines usually have three metrical feet, while the third and fourth lines have two metrical feet. Limericks are known for their playful and often whimsical nature, often featuring clever wordplay, puns, or absurd situations. This form is characterized by its lighthearted tone, making it popular for children's poetry and comedic writing. The structured format and rhythmic quality contribute to the limerick's charm, allowing poets to create engaging and memorable verses.

What is a "limerick"?

limerick

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lyricism

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prose

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An oeuvre refers to the complete works created by an artist, writer, or composer over their lifetime. This includes all the important works produced by a creator, showing the range and development of their artistic vision and skills. An oeuvre is often used to evaluate and appreciate all of an individual's creative work, attracting attention to their achievements and influence in their field.

What is an "oeuvre"?

oeuvre

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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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Characterization is the process by which an author develops and reveals a character's personality, traits, and motivations in a story. This can be done through direct description, dialogue, actions, thoughts, and interactions with other characters. Characterization helps the audience understand the character's role in the plot and their relationships with others, making them feel more real and relatable. It is essential for building complex, engaging characters and shaping the overall narrative.

What is "characterization"?

characterization

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An antagonist is a character or force in a story that opposes or creates conflict for the protagonist, who is the main character or hero. The antagonist's role is to challenge the protagonist's goals and drive the plot forward by introducing obstacles or opposition. This conflict often helps to reveal the protagonist’s traits and motivations, and can include characters, societal forces, or internal struggles. The antagonist is essential for creating tension and drama in the narrative.

Who is an "antagonist"?

antagonist

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The protagonist is the main character in a story, play, or film who drives the plot forward and faces the central conflict. This character is typically the one the audience or readers are meant to root for or empathize with, and their actions, decisions, and growth are central to the narrative. The protagonist often has clear goals or desires and must overcome various challenges or obstacles throughout the story.

Who is the "protagonist"?

protagonist

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to abridge

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to depict

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An addendum is an additional section added to a book, document, or report that provides extra information, updates, or corrections after the main content has been completed. It is used to include important details that were not included in the original text or to address any changes that have occurred since the original publication. Addenda help ensure that the information remains accurate and up-to-date.

What is an "addendum"?

addendum

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A foreword is an introductory section at the beginning of a book, written by someone other than the author. It typically provides context for the book, such as its background, significance, or relevance. The foreword often includes personal reflections or endorsements from the writer, who may explain why the book is important or offer insights into its creation. It helps to set the stage for the main content and can add credibility or context to the book.

What is a "foreword"?

foreword

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An afterword is a concluding section in a book, written by the author or another contributor, that appears at the end of the main content. It provides additional reflections, insights, or commentary related to the book. An afterword may discuss the book's creation, offer updates on the subject matter, or provide context for the reader. It serves to offer final thoughts and sometimes address the impact or future directions related to the work.

What is an "afterword"?

afterword

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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 verse is a set of words arranged in a rhythmic pattern, often featuring meter and rhyme, commonly found in poetry and song lyrics. This structured arrangement creates a musical quality and can enhance the emotional impact and expressiveness of the language. Verses are typically divided into lines and stanzas, with each line contributing to the overall rhythm and flow of the piece. By using verse, poets and songwriters can convey complex ideas and emotions in a memorable and aesthetically pleasing way.

What is a "verse"?

verse

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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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gripping

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concise

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canonical

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flowery

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mannered

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raunchy

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highbrow

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A sequel is a work of fiction, such as a film, book, or TV show, that continues the story from an earlier work. It starts where the previous story ended, following the same characters and exploring new events or developments. Sequels aim to build on the original narrative, often expanding the plot, deepening character relationships, and providing new challenges or adventures.

What is a "sequel"?

sequel

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A codex is an ancient book or manuscript made from bound pages, often handwritten. Unlike scrolls, which are rolled up, a codex consists of pages stacked and held together along one side, similar to modern books. Codices were used in various cultures, including the Romans and early Christians, for recording texts, documents, and religious writings. They are valuable for historical and scholarly research due to their role in the development of written communication.

What is a "codex"?

codex

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A ghostwriter is a professional writer hired to produce content on behalf of someone else, who is often credited as the author. Ghostwriters work behind the scenes to craft books, articles, speeches, or other written materials according to the client's ideas, voice, and instructions. Although the ghostwriter does the actual writing, the final work is published under the client's name. This arrangement is common for autobiographies, memoirs, and works where the credited author may lack the time or writing skills to produce the text themselves.

Who is a "ghostwriter"?

ghostwriter

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humorist

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A tragedian is a playwright who specializes in writing tragedies, which are serious and often sorrowful plays that explore themes of human suffering and complex emotions. They create dramatic works that focus on profound conflicts and moral dilemmas, aiming to evoke deep emotional responses from the audience. The tragedian crafts stories where characters face significant challenges and experience intense emotional journeys, often leading to a serious or sorrowful outcome.

Who is a "tragedian"?

tragedian

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A man of letters refers to a person, usually a writer or scholar, who is deeply engaged in literary pursuits. This individual is typically known for their contributions to literature, criticism, and scholarly writing. They often have a strong background in literature and are recognized for their intellectual and artistic achievements in writing, including novels, essays, poetry, or critical studies. The term conveys a sense of distinction and respect for their literary and scholarly work.

Who is a "man of letters"?

man of letters

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A satirist is a writer or creator who uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize and mock people, institutions, or societal issues. Satirists aim to expose flaws, absurdities, or injustices in a way that is entertaining but also thought-provoking. Their work often seeks to provoke change or reflection by highlighting the shortcomings and contradictions in their subjects.

Who is a "satirist"?

satirist

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Here you will learn some English words about literature, such as "novella", "limerick", "depict", etc. that are needed for the GRE exam.

Words related to "Literature" | Essential Vocabulary for the GRE