Which literary term refers to a work that imitates the style of another, often for comic effect?

The term that best describes a work that imitates the style of another, typically for comic effect, is indeed a parody. Parody involves taking the original style, tone, or themes of a piece of literature and mimicking them in a way that exaggerates certain features or aspects, often leading to humor or satire. This form of imitation not only serves to entertain but can also critique the source material or the genre as a whole.

In contrast, other terms such as pathos, pathetic fallacy, and pedantic do not refer to imitative works. Pathos pertains to evoking emotions like pity or sadness in the audience, while pathetic fallacy relates to attributing human emotions to nature or inanimate objects. Pedantic describes an overly concerned approach with minor details or formal rules, often in an academic context, rather than an imitative style for comedic purposes. Thus, parody is the clear choice for its specific focus on imitating another work, often with humorous intent.