Key Definitions for Writing, Literature, and Publishing
Key Definitions: Writing, Literature & More
Acrostic
A poem, word puzzle, or other composition in which certain letters in each line form a word or words.
Agenda
A list or outline of things to be considered or done.
Axiom
A statement or proposition which is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true.
Bibliography
A list of the books referred to in a scholarly work, typically printed as an appendix.
Catalogue
A complete list of items, typically one in alphabetical or other systematic order, often with descriptive details.
Copyright
A legal means of protecting an author’s work.
Dialogue
Conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or movie.
Diary
A book for recording daily events, thoughts, or feelings.
Dirge
A lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite. A mournful song, piece of music, or poem.
Dramatist
A person who writes plays.
Encomium
A speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly; glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise.
Epilogue
A section or speech at the end of a book or play that serves as a comment on or a conclusion to what has happened.
Erratum
An error in printing or writing. Plural: errata.
Expurgate
To remove matter thought to be objectionable or unsuitable from (a book or account).
Extant
Still in existence; surviving.
Facsimile
A system of transmitting and reproducing graphic matter (such as printing or images) by means of signals sent over telephone lines or other communication channels.
Impromptu
Done without being planned, organized, or rehearsed. As a noun, a piece of music, often for piano, suggesting improvisation.
Inventory
A complete list of items such as property, goods in stock, or the contents of a building.
Jargon
Special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand; technical terminology.
Manifesto
A public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate.
Memorandum
A short note designating something to be remembered, especially something to be done or acted upon in the future; a reminder.
Memories
The mental capacity of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions, etc., or of recalling or recognizing previous experiences.
Peroration
The concluding part of a speech, typically intended to inspire enthusiasm in the audience.
Plagiarism
The practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own.
Playwright
A person who writes plays.
Prologue
A separate introductory section of a literary or musical work.
Toilsome
Involving hard or tedious work.
Tragedy
An event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe. In literature, a play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending, especially one concerning the downfall of the main character.
Wiseacre
A person who affects witty remarks or shows ostentatious cleverness; someone who pretends to know everything.
Wondrous
Inspiring a feeling of wonder or delight; marvelous.