Literary Terms

figurative language

a type of language that varies from the norms of literal language, in which a writer uses various literary devices to enhance the meaning for the reader.

theme

the overall message that author is trying to convey, usually about human nature, to the reader.

simile

A type of figurative language that makes a comparison between two unlike objects or ideas by connecting them with the words ‘like’ or ‘as.’

omniscient POV

In this type of third person POV, the narrator knows everything about the characters, places, and events involved.

allusion

A reference within a literary work to a well-known person, place, event, art, object, or other literary work. Example: the Romeo and Juliet of our time.

cinematic POV

In this type of third person POV, the narrator details only observable actions, just as if you were watching a movie.

tone

the writer or speaker’s feeling towards a literary work, expressed through dialogue and narration.

dramatic irony

When facts are not known to the characters of the work but are known by the audience.

point of view

the perspective from which a sotyr is presented to a reader, the vantage point.

antagonist

the major character opposing the main character. Usually the villain. Doesn’t necessarily have to be a person, or evil.

mood

The atmosphere or feeling created though the setting by a literary work (experienced by the reader).

situational irony

A literary term referring to how a person, situation, statement, or circumstance is not as it would actually seem.

understatement

A deliberate representation of something as much less in magnitude or importance than it really is; also called meiosis; opposite of exaggerration.

imagery

words or phrases that appeal to the readers’ senses, most common type is visual.

metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things not using ‘like’ or ‘as’. In connecting one object, event, or place to another, new and intriguing qualities of the original can be uncovered.

symbol

A character, action, setting, or object representing a greater concept.

central POV

In this first person POV, the narrator of the story is the main character and he/she is telling his/her own story.

personification

Assigning human attributes to something nonhuman. Makes objects and their actions easier to visualize, and more interesting. For example, ‘Now the forest stirred, roared, and flailed” (Golding, 30).

diction

word choice

irony

A situation that turns our completely differently than what was expected.

peripheral POV

In this first person POV, the narrator of the story is not its main character. The narrator is telling someone else’s story; however, she is often changed by her observations.

verbal irony

When the speaker means something totally different than what he is saying or the audience realizes, because of their knowledge of the particular situation to which the speaker is referring, that the opposite of what a character is saying is true.

flat character

A character that remains unchanged from the story’s events; not dynamic.

allegory

A story or tale with town or more levels of meaning - a literal one and another more symbolic one.

Indirect characterization

Shows readers what a character is like through physical description, appearance, speech, private thoughts and feelings, motives, actions, speech of other characters, effect on other characters.

direct characterization

Tells readers what an emotion is like.

connotation

the emotions or feelings associated with a word.

pun

a deliberate play on words.

genre

a type of literature.

alliteration

The use of several words together that begin with same sound or letter in order to make a special effect, especially in poetry.

hyperbole

A way of describing something by exaggerating its qualities.

onomatopoeia

The use of words that sound like the thing that they are describing; for example, ‘hiss’ or ‘boom’

suspense

A feeling of tension created by the author; a reader’s sense of curiosity about impending events in the story.

ethos

a way of persuading a reader/listener by using issues of ethics, morality, and credibility.

foreshadowing

Hints the author gives about later events in the story.

paradox

When two opposing or contradictory ideas are being simultaneously explored.

internal conflict

Conflict experienced by a character that does not involve others; usually a moral struggle.

pathos

A way of persuading a reader/listener by using emotions.

external conflict

Conflict where a character struggles against an outside force - another person, a physical obstacles, or society itself.

setting

Place and time (time of day + historical period) of a story.

oxymoron

When two opposing terms are placed next to each other; a compressed paradox.

style

Distinct, identifiable patterns in an author’s writing.

satire

Writing that ridicules or criticizes individuals, ideas, institutions, social conventions, etc.

rhetorical question

A question asked of a reader or listener that has an implied answer.

persona

A character in literary work created by the author through which the author conveys his/her perception.

parallelism

When the writer establishes similar patterns of grammatical structure and length.

motive

A reason that explains a character’s thoughts, feelings, actions, or speech.

motif

A recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature.

analogy

A poetic and rhetorical device in which normally unassociated ideas, words or phrases are placed next to one another for effect.

logos

A way of persuading a reader/listener by using logic, reasoning, facts, and/or statistics.

flashback

An interruption of the chronological sequence (as of a film or literary work) of an event of earlier occurrence.

epiphany

A sudden realization or flash of insight.

archetype

Original model or pattern from which other later copies are made, especially a character, an action, or situation that seems to represent common patterns of human life.

ambiguity

When an author leaves something intentionally vague or undetermined in order to open up multiple possible meanings.

juxtaposition

Extended comparison of two different concepts.