Literary Terms

AlliterationWhen two or more words in a group of words begin with the same sound • (usually, the same letter or group of

letters)

Ex: Anne’s awesome apple

AllusionA reference to a person, place, poem, book, event, etc. which is not part of the story, that the author expects the reader will recognize

Ex: the Bible (the most common allusion; specifically the story of Adam and Eve)

AntagonistThe

opponent or enemy

of the main character,

or protagonist

AsideWords spoken to the audience by a character in a drama that are not supposed to be heard by the other characters on stage.• Usually used to let the audience know what a character is thinking.

CharacterizationThe methods, incidents, speech, etc. an author uses to reveal the people in the book.

Can be direct or indirect

Direct = author TELLS you what the character is like

Indirect = the author SHOWS you what the character is like: how the character looks/does/says/thinks & what others say about him/her

Climax

The point at which the conflict reaches its greatest intensity• Think: At what

point was I the MOST emotionally invested?

Conflict

The struggle between opposing

forces

Moves the plot forward• Man vs. self• Man vs. man• Man vs. nature• Man vs. society• Man vs. fate,

luck, God

DialectA particular kind of speech used by member of one specific group because of its geographical location or class• Ex: Jim, in Huckleberry Finn say, “Shet de do.” (Shut the door)

Dialogue

The conversation between characters

in a work of literature

Dynamic Character

A character who undergoes

a significant internal change over the course

of a story

Ex: understanding, values, insight, etc.

Figurative LanguageWords and phrases that

have meanings different from their

usual ones (not dictionary meaning) in order to create a poetic and/or literary effect.

Ex: idioms, metaphors,

simile, personificati

on

Flashback

A scene in a story that occurred

before the present time in the story.

Provide background information

about events happening during the

current narration

May be present as memories, dreams, or

stories of the past told by characters

ForeshadowingThe use of hints

or clues in a story to suggest what action is to

come.

Used to create interest and

build suspense.

Generalization About Life

A statement that can apply to humanity at

large; a seemingly

universal truth

Ex: All men are created equal

HyperboleExtreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effectNot meant to be taken literally• Ex: I almost died of boredom

Idiom

An expression that cannot be

understood from the

meanings of its individual

words

Ex: it’s raining

cats and dogs

ImageryThe use of

words to evoke impressions and

meaning that are more than just the basic,

accepted definitions of

the words themselves

IronyThere are

three types:

• When the reader or audience is aware of something that the characters are not aware of

Dramatic irony

• When something happens that is the reverse of what you expected

Situational irony

• When the name or description of something implies the opposite of the truth• Ex: calling a very tall person “Tiny”

Verbal irony

Major Characters

A main or important characterPlays a large role in the storyUsually face some sort of obstacleUsually present throughout all, or most, of a storyCan have several main characters

Metaphor•Ex: The moon, a haunting lantern, shone through the clouds.

A comparison of two

things that are basically dissimilar in which one is

described in terms of the other

Minor Character

Does not play a large role in a storyDo not face any obstacles during the course of the storyUsually do not change during the course of the storyThe reader does not usually learn much about themThere to interact with major character and move plot

Mood

The feeling the reader gets from a work of literature.Can stay the same or change throughout the story

Motif•Ex: In Hamlet, revenge is a frequently repeated idea.

A situation

, incident, idea, or image that is

repeated

significantly in a literary work.

Onomatopoeia

The use of words whose

sounds imitate the sounds of

what they describe

Ex: hiss, murmur,

growl, honk, buzz woof,

etc.

Narrator

The one who

tells the story

PersonificationA figure of speech in which an object, abstract idea, or animal is given

human characteristicsEx: The

leaf danced

down the street

PlotThe pattern of events in a literary work;

what happensExpositi

on

Rising action

Climax

Falling action

Resolution

Poetic JusticeAn outcome, either a

reward or punishment, which can be either

ironic, the opposite of what is expected, or

perfectly suited to the character or situation.

Ex: an assassin is

murdered on his way to

assassinate someone

Point of ViewThe perspective fro which a story is told.1st person• Narrator is a character in the story who

describes things from his or her perspective3rd person limited• Narrator is not a character, but the narrator can

describe the experiences and thoughts of only one character3rd person omniscient

• Narrator is not a character and is able to describe the experiences and thoughts of every character

Protagonist

The main or central character

of a work of literature.

Usually, the main character is involved in a

conflict or struggle with the

antagonist.

SettingThe environment in which the

story takes place. Including: ◦time period ◦Location◦Physical characteristics of the

surroundings

SimileA comparison between two

different things using either like or as

Static Character

A character who does not

undergo a significant

change over the course of

a story.

SymbolAn object, setting, event, animal, or

person that on one level is itself, but that has another meaning as well.

Ex: American flag = freedom, patriotism,

& pride

Symbolism

The practice of using symbols

Theme

The main message or moral.

ToneThe author’s attitude toward the subject matter or toward the reader or audience. Words that could describe tone include:• Doubtful, humorous, gleeful, serious, &

questioningTone is conveyed through the author’s word choices and the details that he or she includes.