Academic and Literary Terms

Academic Term Definition
Frame Narrative A story that is ‘framed’ by a different narrator to the main part of
the story. In some cases, the frame is at both the start and end of
the text, providing a conclusion, but not always. Wuthering
Heights and the Turn of the Screw are frame narratives.
Prologue The introduction to a story, play or poem that sets up background
details. Unlike a frame narrative, this is not part of the narrative
structure and doesn’t use a separate character. The voice of a
prologue is often neutral whereas a frame narrative uses a
character from the text.
Epilogue A speech or piece of text that is added to the end of a play or
book, often giving a short statement about what happens to the
characters after the play or book finishes
Protagonist The main character of a text. A protagonist is not necessarily a
‘hero’ and can be an anti-hero.
Antagonist The character who causes problems for the protagonist of a text.
To imply To suggest something indirectly. You have to read between the

lines to understand what is implied in a text.
To undermine To find ways of criticizing someone’s ideas, or their argument. In

undermining something, you take away the foundations of the
point. You dig down (‘mine’) under the argument to make it fall
down.
To elaborate To expand on an idea with further explanation and evidence.
To Argue To present your case for an idea or way of reading a text, using
evidence. It does not, in academic terms, mean a heated debate.
Simile A comparison using ‘as’ or ‘like’
Metaphor A comparison without using ‘as’ or ‘like’. A metaphor can be

obscure.
Figurative Language Figurative language is using figures of speech to be more effective,

persuasive and impactful. Figures of speech such as metaphors,
similes, allusions go beyond the literal meanings of the words to
give the readers new insights. On the other hand, alliterations,
imageries, or onomatopoeias are figurative devices that appeal to
the senses of the readers.
Story The events of a narrative
Plot The presentation of a story in a text as told in the narrative,

including the timing of events, and the way the story is told. A plot
differs from a story because it is concerned not only with the
events but with the presentation of them.
Text A cultural artefact for examination – a text can be a story, poem,

song, newspaper, film etc. It is not only the written word.
Context The events surrounding a particular moment or thing. Context can

be historical, social, cultural or autobiographical
Rhetorical device Rhetorical devices are ways of speaking that are used to make
your argument sound stronger. Using the passive voice as a means
of passing the blame is an example of a rhetorical device.
Literary device Structures and methods used by authors as a means of enhancing

the meaning of a text. A frame narrative, or a character who asks
the questions that the reader needs the answers to are both
literary devices.
Uncanny Something eerie, unsettling and mysterious. This does not have to
be supernatural – a doll that looks too lifelike can be uncanny, or
the feeling of seeing someone who looks very like yourself.
Intertextual The borrowing of other texts within a separate one – such as the
mention of the Mysteries of Adolpho in The Turn of the Screw. This
creates a sense of knowing amongst readers and authors and is a
‘conversation’ within literary history.
Genre A category, whether of literature, music, film etc. The genre is
determined by the subject, style and content of the work. Some
literature falls clearly into a genre – horror, romance etc. Other
work is less clear and is often called ‘literary fiction’ as opposed to
‘genre fiction’.
Euphemism To say something about a difficult or embarrassing topic in a
milder, less unpleasant way. Death and sex are often discussed
euphemistically.
Emotive Emotive language is designed to appeal to the emotions of the
reader, whether fear, happiness, sadness etc. The use of emotive
language by authors helps their reader understand the message
more clearly but can also be used as a means of gaining sympathy
while storytelling.
To think critically To approach the reading of a text actively, by asking questions,
analyzing, refusing to accept things at face value and teasing out
the implications and deeper meanings even if they are opposed to
the initial reading of the text.
A critique To write a piece of work thinking critically about a question or text.
Ellipses 3 full stops that trail away the conversation. It implies there is
information that hasn't been given or that someone isn’t sure
Parentheses Brackets, used to give supporting information, or for the narrator
to provide their personal opinion slyly to the reader.

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Academic Term Definition

To imply To suggest something indirectly. You have to read between the

To undermine To find ways of criticizing someone’s ideas, or their argument. In

Simile A comparison using ‘as’ or ‘like’

Metaphor A comparison without using ‘as’ or ‘like’. A metaphor can be

Figurative Language Figurative language is using figures of speech to be more effective,

Plot The presentation of a story in a text as told in the narrative,

Text A cultural artefact for examination – a text can be a story, poem,

Context The events surrounding a particular moment or thing. Context can

Literary device Structures and methods used by authors as a means of enhancing

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