Literary Terms Definition List AE1

Exposition

The beginning of a story where the author introduces the characters, setting, and background information that readers need to understand the story.

Rising Action

The series of events that build up tension and develop the conflict, leading toward the climax of the story.

Climax

The turning point or most intense moment in a story where the main conflict reaches its peak.

Falling Action

The events that happen after the climax, where the conflict begins to resolve and loose ends are tied up.

Resolution

The conclusion of the story where the conflict is fully resolved and the story comes to an end (also called the denouement).

Setting

The time and place where a story takes place, including the physical location, time period, and social environment.

Protagonist

The main character in a story, usually the character the reader follows and sympathizes with.

Antagonist

The character or force that opposes the protagonist and creates conflict in the story.

Theme

The central message, lesson, or main idea that the author wants to communicate through the story.

Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told (first person, second person, third person limited, or third person omniscient).

Genre

The category or type of literature, such as mystery, science fiction, romance, or historical fiction.

Conflict

The struggle or problem that drives the story forward, which can be internal (within a character) or external (between characters or forces).

Dialogue

The spoken words between characters in a story, usually shown with quotation marks.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject matter or characters, conveyed through word choice and writing style.

Mood

The emotional atmosphere or feeling that the story creates for the reader.

Dramatic Irony

When readers know something that the characters in the story don't know, creating tension or humor.

Verbal Irony

When someone says one thing but means the opposite, often used for sarcasm or humor.

Situational Irony

When what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected to happen.

Inference

Drawing conclusions or making educated guesses based on evidence and clues in the text rather than information directly stated.

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues that the author gives about what will happen later in the story.

Flashback

A scene that interrupts the present action to show events that happened earlier in time.

Onomatopoeia

Words that imitate the sound they represent, like "buzz," "crash," or "sizzle."

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or dramatic effect, like "I've told you a million times!"

Personification

Giving human characteristics, emotions, or actions to non-human things or animals.

Simile

A comparison between two different things using the words "like" or "as," such as "brave as a lion."

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two different things without using "like" or "as," such as "Life is a journey."