Vocabulary Wiki

The goal of this Wiki is to build our literary critical vocabulary with help from our research. These terms will
provide a foundation for much of the course, including the mid-term exam.
• Everyone will contribute three terms relevant to their novel. The bolded terms on the “Early Novels”
list are a great place to start. The research process will reveal others, so start keeping a list now.
• Each term will have a definition and link from one of these sources.
o Literary Reference Center Database. This UHD database can be found on our research guide,
https://library.uhd.edu/eng3312 and under “L” in the list of databases.
o Literary Terms: https://literaryterms.net/
o Literary Devices: https://literarydevices.net
• Each term will have a sentence that uses the term in regard to their novel as an example.
• Each entry needs your name as a signature (and in order to get credit for it).

Directions:
• I have created the Vocabulary Wiki page and you need only click on “Edit Wiki Content.”
• Put your terms in alphabetical order, mixing them with the other entries so they are easily searchable
by the rest of us. You will not upload a block of all your definitions.
• Follow the example posted on the Wiki page and below for format.
• We can have two definitions on the same term if two people happen to choose it. If you go to post
your definitions and find someone has already defined your term, revise your definition so it adds
something to the earlier one. Use a different source and provide a different example. If there are
already two definitions, choose another term.
• Definitions can be copied and pasted as quotations directly from the sources. You may wish to use
ellipsis to cut less important material and create a concise definition. Be sure and provide the link to
the source.
Sample Entries for the Vocabulary Wiki

Genre: "A genre is a category of literature identified by form, content, and style. Genres allow literary critics
and students to classify compositions within the larger canon of literature. Genre (pronounced ˈzhän-
rə) is derived from the French phrase genre meaning 'kind' or 'type.'" literaryterms.net

Example: The novel is a diverse genre that contains many sub-genres; one of them is the gothic novel.
Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray has many elements from the gothic sub-genre,
including aristocratic villains and supernatural powers. Dr. P

Gothic: “During the Renaissance, “gothic” was a term for anything barbaric and medieval. . . . Gothic
literature, then, refers to any sensationalized work that involves the mystery, wildness, and
supernaturalism that has long been associated with the Middle Ages. The settings are usually desolate
countryside or dark forests and gloomy castles or monasteries, where ghosts of the murdered linger
and horrible events occur. Virtuous heroes and heroines confront dark villains, usually aristocratic and
having supernatural powers.” Literary Reference Center Database.

Example: In Oscar Wilde’s novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray” the creepy, supernatural portrait of
Dorian Gray is a gothic element. Dr. P