Literacy Terms
Allusion
An allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or a representation of, people, places, events, literary work, myths, or works of art, either directly or by implication. A brief reference, explicit or indirect, to a person, place or event, or to another literary work or passage
Function The function of allusion depends as well on the author's intent; a reader may search out parallels to a figure of speech or a passage.
Example: In act one of Death of a Salesman Adonis who is a character in greek mythology is mentioned. Adonis the the god of beauty and desire. Something all the Lomans are seeking. Adonis alludes to the wants of the Lomans
Antagonist:
The principal character in opposition to the protagonist or hero of a narrative or drama that may interfere with or inhibit the physiological action of another.
Example: Bless Me Ultima Tenorio Trementina, the father of the Trementina sisters.
Function: Tenorio Trementina is a key part to the novel Bless me, Ultima because of his role as the antagonist. The function of an antagonist is to provide a source of conflict, which Tenorio accomplishes by his malicious behavior and by calling Ultima a witch. This inflicts damage in Antonio’s innocent mind by introducing new ideas and providing obstacles for Antonio to overcome.
Antecedent:
Word that is replaced by a pronoun.
Example: “It’s coming.” Pg. 13, line 13, All the King’s Men.
Function:
The function of an antecedent is to act as an attention grabber. Since the significance of “it” is not stated, it leaves a desire to read further to discover the author’s meaning for the replacement word. The substitution creates a sense of anticipation and the mystery of the antecedent forms a more vivid image.
Apostrophe:
Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which someone absent or dead orsomething nonhuman is addressed as if it were alive and able to reply.
Example: Lines 12-22, To Autumn by John Keats.
Function:
An allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or a representation of, people, places, events, literary work, myths, or works of art, either directly or by implication. A brief reference, explicit or indirect, to a person, place or event, or to another literary work or passage
Function The function of allusion depends as well on the author's intent; a reader may search out parallels to a figure of speech or a passage.
Example: In act one of Death of a Salesman Adonis who is a character in greek mythology is mentioned. Adonis the the god of beauty and desire. Something all the Lomans are seeking. Adonis alludes to the wants of the Lomans
Antagonist:
The principal character in opposition to the protagonist or hero of a narrative or drama that may interfere with or inhibit the physiological action of another.
Example: Bless Me Ultima Tenorio Trementina, the father of the Trementina sisters.
Function: Tenorio Trementina is a key part to the novel Bless me, Ultima because of his role as the antagonist. The function of an antagonist is to provide a source of conflict, which Tenorio accomplishes by his malicious behavior and by calling Ultima a witch. This inflicts damage in Antonio’s innocent mind by introducing new ideas and providing obstacles for Antonio to overcome.
Antecedent:
Word that is replaced by a pronoun.
Example: “It’s coming.” Pg. 13, line 13, All the King’s Men.
Function:
The function of an antecedent is to act as an attention grabber. Since the significance of “it” is not stated, it leaves a desire to read further to discover the author’s meaning for the replacement word. The substitution creates a sense of anticipation and the mystery of the antecedent forms a more vivid image.
Apostrophe:
Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which someone absent or dead orsomething nonhuman is addressed as if it were alive and able to reply.
Example: Lines 12-22, To Autumn by John Keats.
Function: