E3 Literary Terms for Exams

Characterization

The step-by-step process wherein an author introduces and then describes a character.

Diction

The writer’s choice of words, which can create mood, attitude, dialect, and style.

Foreshadowing

The use of hints or clues that suggest events that will happen later in the story.

Hyperbole

An exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.

Imagery

The use of words and phrases to create vivid mental images for the reader.

Inversion

The practice of changing the conventional placement of words or phrases.

Metaphor/Simile

A comparison of two things by stating one is the other or using “like” or “as.”

Motif

An element, subject, idea, or concept that recurs throughout a literary work.

Parallel Structure

The use of similar grammatical structures in a sentence or series of sentences.

Plot

The sequence of events and happenings that make up a story.

Point of View

The manner in which a story is narrated and who tells the story.

Repetition

Repeating words or phrases to emphasize an idea or make it more memorable.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked to create a dramatic effect rather than get an answer.

Rhyme Scheme

The pattern of rhymes at the ends of lines in poetry.

Setting

The time, place, and mood in which the events of a story occur.

Symbol

A literary device that represents deeper meanings beyond its literal sense.

Tone

The author’s attitude toward a subject, character, or situation.

Verbal Irony

When a speaker says one thing but means another.

Mood

The feeling or atmosphere a writer creates for the reader.

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words.

Exposition

The part of a plot that introduces characters, setting, and background information.

Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates the sound it describes.

Anecdote

A short, interesting story about a real event or personal experience.

Conflict

The central problem or struggle in a story.

Theme

The central idea or message about life or human nature conveyed by a text.