Glossary D
Dactylic hexameter
A poetic meter consisting of six dactyls in a line.
Death and decay
The theme of mortality and the natural process of deterioration in literature.
Deceptive marketing tactics
Techniques used to mislead or manipulate consumers into buying a product or service.
Decoding
The process of interpreting a message or text.
Deconstructionism
A literary theory that analyzes the underlying assumptions and values in a text.
Degree
The level of education or expertise an author possesses in a particular subject or field.
Degree of expression
The level of intensity or depth in which an author conveys their thoughts or emotions through their writing.
Degree of expression intensity level
The level of emotional intensity conveyed through language and other forms of expression in literature.
Dehumanization
The act of treating someone as less than human in literature.
Delicate terminology usage
The careful selection and use of words to avoid causing offense or misunderstanding.
Denotation
The literal or dictionary definition of a word.
Denouement
The resolution or conclusion of a story or plot.
Depiction of springtime scenes
The use of vivid and descriptive language to paint a picture of the beauty and renewal of spring.
Depth
The quality of being profound or complex.
Description
A detailed account of something.
Descriptive analogy
A comparison between two things that highlights their similarities.
Descriptive Language
The use of language to create a vivid and detailed picture in the reader’s mind.
Descriptive scene
A detailed and vivid description of a setting or scene in a story.
Deus ex machina
A plot device where a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly resolved by an unexpected event or character.
Dialectic reasoning
A method of reasoning that involves the exchange of opposing viewpoints.
Dialogue
A conversation between two or more people.
Dichotomy
A division or contrast between two things that are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
Diction
The choice and use of words and phrases in writing.
Didactic fiction
Fiction that is intended to teach a moral lesson or convey a specific message.
Didacticism
The use of literature to teach a moral lesson or convey a specific message.
Difference between assonance and consonance
Assonance refers to the repetition of vowel sounds in a line of poetry, while consonance refers to the repetition of consonant sounds.
Differences
The ways in which two or more things are not the same.
Dimensionality
The quality of having multiple dimensions or aspects.
Diminishing
The process of making something seem less important or significant in literature.
Diminishment
The act of making something seem less important or significant in literature.
Diminishment tactic underemphasizing importance
A literary technique that intentionally underemphasizes the importance of something.
Diplomacy
The art of negotiating and managing relationships between individuals or groups.
Diplomatic language
The use of polite and respectful language to communicate effectively in sensitive situations.
Diplomatic speech approach
A tactful and respectful way of communicating to avoid offending or upsetting others.
Direct comparison
A comparison of two things that are similar in some way.
Dirge structure
A specific form of poetry that is typically used to express grief or mourning, often characterized by a slow and mournful rhythm.
Diversity
The inclusion of different types of people, cultures, and perspectives.
Divine intervention
The involvement of a god or goddess in a story.
Domestic settings
Settings that take place in or around the home or family.
Double bind paradoxes
A situation where a person is given conflicting messages and cannot satisfy both.
Double entendre
A phrase with a double meaning, often used for humor or innuendo.
Double entendre differentiation
The use of a word or phrase with two meanings, often one of which is risque or humorous.
Downplaying
The act of minimizing or underemphasizing something in literature.
Drama
A genre of literature or performance that focuses on conflict and emotion.
Dramatic effect
The use of language or writing techniques to create a powerful or emotional impact on the reader or audience.
Dramatic irony
A situation in which the audience knows something the characters do not, creating tension and suspense.
Dramatic irony usage
The use of a situation in which the audience knows something the characters do not, creating tension and suspense.
Dry humor
A type of humor that is subtle, understated, and often sarcastic.
Duality
The concept of two opposing or contrasting ideas or elements existing together.
Dynamic
Character or plot development that changes over time.
Dynamic character
A character who undergoes significant changes or growth throughout a story.