english 9 literary terms and definitions

flashback

the author gives a glimpse into the past, in order to understand the present situation. Usually revolving around a character, or situational event.

foreshadowing

the use of revealing words or phrases that hints of something that is going to happen without revealing the story

tone

the feeling of the author that is demonstrated by how they are writing. ex: sarcastic, satirical

mood

the emotion that is evoked from a piece of text. ex: sad, happy

imagery

the writer uses such vivid language that an image is created in our heads as we read. The use of other literary devices is usually used to create this affect, such as: simile, metaphors, personification

direct presentation

a character is directly described to the reader through the narrator, or other characters

indirect presentation

a characters traits are revealed by their action and speech

protagonist

main character in a story. plot revolves around this character’s actions and decisions.

antagonist

a character who is purposefully opposing or hostile against the protagonist

dynamic character

character that undergoes significant internal or external change, growth, ex: personality or attitude

static character

a literary character whose personality, beliefs, and behavior remain fundamentally unchanged from the beginning to the end of a story

flat character

2 dimensional character. not complication or complex. do not undergo any change

round character

complex character that undergoes major developments

minor character

serves to complement the major characters and help to move the plot events forward

foil

a character who provides contrast to the main character, in order to emphasize the main character’s traits

archetype

a typical character, an action, or situation that seems to represent universal patterns of human nature.this may be a character, a theme, a symbol or even a setting

plot

the progression of events within a text.

setting

the location, and time period where a story takes place

oxymoron

when two contradictory words are together in one phrase or word.

simile

comparison using like or as

metaphor

comparison without using like or as

hyperbole

an extreme exaggeration

personification

when an object is given human characteristics

colloquialism

everyday speech. slang

alliteration

the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words

connotation

refers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which is described explicitly. words carry cultural and emotional meanings. childish and youthful have the same definition but different meanings

denotation

dictionary definition of a word or phrase

onomatopoeia

is the formation of a word from a sound associated with the word

point of view

the way the story is narrated to the reader

first person

when the story is narrated to us by the character themselves

second person

where the narrator tells the story to another character using the word ‘you’. the author could be talking to the audience

third person

when the narrator of the story is outside of the story looking in using pronouns to discuss characters

third person objective

the narrator sees into none of the characters minds but only relates the situations and dialogue of the story in a factual way

third person limited omniscient

the narrator knows the thoughts, emotions and feelings of only one character

third person omniscient

occurs when the narrator knows all of the situations, thoughts and feelings of all characters