OCR GCSE English Literature key terms

The repetition of words or ideas in reversed order, such as Leonato’s contrast between weeping at joy and taking joy in weeping.

An accepted code of honourable behaviour; in the brother’s fight, ‘pugilistic chivalry’ means the fair conduct associated with boxing.

A speaker or group of speakers who comments on the action of a play; in Romeo and Juliet, the Chorus introduces the tragic story.

A structure in which the ending returns to an image, situation or idea from the opening, often with a changed meaning.

The organised life of a society, including its institutions, shared knowledge, culture and ways of living together.

A social group distinguished by its economic position, resources and relationship to work and power.

The economic and social circumstances that give some people greater security, influence and opportunities than others.

An unfair judgement of someone based on their social class rather than their individual qualities or actions.

An expression or idea used so often that it can seem predictable or lacking in originality.

An ending that leaves an urgent situation unresolved, creating suspense about what will happen next.

The decisive high point of a plot, when its main conflict reaches its greatest intensity.

A genetically identical copy of another organism. In Never Let Me Go, the students are human clones created to provide organs for other people.

Producing a living organism using genetic material copied from another organism. In Never Let Me Go, clones are raised to supply organs to other people.

Detailed examination of particular words and other writing choices to explain how they create meaning and effects.

Changing between languages or varieties of language according to the audience or situation.

The use of threats or pressure to force someone to act against their wishes.

The idea that several people can contribute to a situation and have duties towards others, rather than responsibility belonging to only one individual.

The forced grouping of individual farms into large collective farms under state control, carried out in the Soviet Union under Stalin.

Everyday, conversational language that can help establish a speaker’s voice.

Political control of a country or territory by another country, often involving exploitation of its people and resources.

The establishment of control over another territory and its people by an outside power, often involving settlement and exploitation.

A dramatic form often involving misunderstandings, obstacles to love and a movement towards reconciliation or marriage; it can include serious suffering.

A work that uses the behaviour, conversation and social conventions of a particular society as sources of humour and criticism.

Humorous action or dialogue that offers a contrast to serious or distressing events.

Buying and selling goods or services, especially on a large scale.

The shared welfare or good of a community. The narrator’s phrase “commonweal of mankind” extends this idea to humanity as a whole.

A political ideal of a classless society in which property and the means of production are owned collectively.