Literary Theory Terms English 212

Ambiguity

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation.

Connotation

The idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.

Imagery

A descriptive use of language to help the reader visualize a scenario (applies to the 5 senses).

Direct Characterization

A literary technique where the author explicitly states a character’s traits, personality, or motivations.

Close Reading

Careful, sustained interpretation of a brief passage of text by paying attention to the author’s word choice trying to generate meaning as to why s/he chose some word choices over others.

Denotation

The dictionary definition.

Rite of Passage

A ceremony or event marking an important stage in someone’s life.

Flashback

A scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story.

Foreshadowing

Hinting on something that is to come later on in the story.

Situational Irony

When you expect one thing to happen, but the opposite occurs.

Indirect Characterization

A literary method for revealing a character’s personality, traits, and motivations through their actions. The author does not state it directly.

Metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things.

Mood

The emotion the story makes the reader feel.

Dramatic Irony

The reader knows something, but the character doesn’t.

Symbolism

A use of symbolic images or sentences to represent ideas.

Theme

Theme Standards

• No cliches

• Universal

• Concise (word count < 15)

• Not a command

• Written in a sentence

Verbal Irony

Someone says one thing, but doesn’t literally mean it; that statement has underlying meanings and those underlying meanings reveal the real intent.

Simile

A comparison using like or as.