Literary Terms and Their Definitions

Allegory

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically moral or political. Example: Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegory about the Russian Revolution.

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words. Example: "She sells seashells by the seashore."

Allusion

An indirect reference to a person, event, or piece of literature. Example: "He's a real Romeo with the ladies."

Antagonist

A character or force in conflict with the protagonist. Example: Voldemort in the Harry Potter series.

Characterization

Direct: The author tells the audience what the character is like. Example: "John was a kind man." Indirect: The author shows the character's personality through actions, speech, etc. Example: John helped the old lady cross the street.

Climax

The most intense, exciting, or important point of the story. Example: When Katniss and Peeta threaten to eat the berries in The Hunger Games.

Connotation

The emotional or cultural meaning associated with a word. Example: "Home" connotes warmth and family.

Denotation

The literal dictionary definition of a word. Example: "Home" denotes a place where one lives.

Exposition

The beginning part of a story that introduces characters, setting, and basic situation. Example: The opening of Romeo and Juliet where the feud between the families is explained.

Flashback

A scene set in a time earlier than the main story. Example: In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout recalls past events of her childhood.

Foil

A character who contrasts with another to highlight certain qualities. Example: Draco Malfoy is a foil to Harry Potter.

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story. Example: Stormy weather foreshadowing bad events.

Humor

The quality of being amusing or entertaining. Example: Mark Twain's use of wit in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Hyperbole

Extreme exaggeration for emphasis. Example: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses. Example: "The scent of roses filled the air as the sun dipped below the horizon."

Inference

A conclusion reached based on evidence and reasoning. Example: If a character is crying, we infer they are upset.

Irony

Verbal Irony: Saying one thing but meaning another. Example: Saying "Great weather!" during a storm. Situational Irony: A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. Example: A fire station burns down. Dramatic Irony: The audience knows something the characters do not.

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things. Example: "Time is a thief."

Metonymy

Substituting a word with something closely associated with it. Example: "The pen is mightier than the sword." (pen = writing, sword = warfare)

Mood

The atmosphere or emotional feeling of a piece. Example: A gloomy mood in The Fall of the House of Usher by Poe.

Motif

A recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story. Example: Light and darkness in Romeo and Juliet.

Narrator

1st Person: The narrator is a character in the story ("I"). Example: The Catcher in the Rye.

Parody

A humorous imitation of a serious work. Example: Scary Movie is a parody of horror films.

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a truth. Example: "Less is more."

Personification

Giving human qualities to non-human things. Example: "The wind whispered through the trees."

Postmodernist

A literary movement characterized by reliance on narrative fragmentation, irony, and questioning of absolute truths. Example: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut.

Protagonist

The main character in a story. Example: Harry Potter in the Harry Potter series.

Repetition

Repeating words or phrases for emphasis. Example: "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

Resolution

The part of the plot where the conflict is resolved. Example: The ending of The Lord of the Rings where peace is restored.

Rhythm

The pattern of sounds or beats in language. Example: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" (iambic pentameter)

Rising Action

Events leading up to the climax. Example: The challenges Harry faces before encountering Voldemort.

Satire

Using humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or expose flaws. Example: The Daily Show satirizes political events.

Simile

A comparison using "like" or "as." Example: "As brave as a lion."

Stream of Consciousness

A narrative mode that depicts the continuous flow of a character's thoughts. Example: Ulysses by James Joyce.

Symbols

Objects, characters, or events that represent larger ideas. Example: The green light in The Great Gatsby represents hope.

Theme

The underlying message or main idea of a work. Example: The theme of love and sacrifice in Romeo and Juliet.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject or audience. Example: Sarcastic, somber, hopeful.