Honors English 3 midterm literary terms def

Abstract

Language that describes qualities that cannot be perceived with the five senses

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of art, often used to enhance meaning or create a connection in the reader's mind

Ambiguity

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation or having uncertain meanings

Apostrophe

A figure of speech in which a speaker directly addresses someone or something that is not present or cannot respond

Antagonist

A character or force in a literary work that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict

Antithesis

Two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses, or even ideas, with parallel structure

Catalog

A list of people, things, or attributes, often used for rhetorical effect

Characterization

the act of creating and describing characters in literature

Dynamic Character

A character who undergoes significant internal change or development

Flat Character

A character with limited depth and complexity

Round Character

A complex and fully developed character with depth and nuance

Static Character

A character who undergoes little or no change throughout the narrative

Stock Character

A stereotypical and predictable character type

Climax

The turning point or high point of tension in a narrative, often the moment of greatest intensity or drama

Concrete

Specific and tangible, relating to things that can be perceived through the senses

Conflicts

Struggles or tensions between opposing forces in a narrative

Internal Conflict

Conflict within a character's mind

External Conflict

Conflict between characters or with external forces

Connotation

The emotional or cultural associations that a word carries beyond its literal definition

Denotation

The literal or dictionary definition of a word

Dénouement

The resolution or conclusion of a story, typically following the climax, where loose ends are tied up

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another

Extended Simile

A detailed comparison using "like" or "as" that extends over several lines or throughout an entire work

Epiphany

A sudden and profound realization or understanding, often experienced by a character

Epithet

A descriptive word or phrase expressing a quality or characteristic of the person or thing mentioned

Exposition

The presentation of background information or setting in a literary work

Figurative

Language that uses figures of speech, such as metaphors or similes, to convey meanings beyond the literal interpretation

Flashback

A narrative technique that interrupts the chronological sequence of events to depict something that happened earlier

Foil

A character who contrasts with another character, highlighting specific qualities or characteristics

Foreshadowing

A literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story

Genre

A category or type of literature, art, or music characterized by a specific form, content, and style

Hyperbole

Exaggerated language or claims not meant to be taken literally

Imagery

Vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses

In medias res

Latin for "in the midst of things," referring to a narrative that begins in the middle of the story

Inciting Incident

The event or situation that sets the central conflict in motion

Irony

A literary device where the opposite of what is expected occurs

Literal

The straightforward, factual meaning of a word or expression

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things by saying one is the other

Mood

The emotional atmosphere or tone of a literary work

Motif

A recurring theme, subject, or idea in a literary work

Motivated Action

A character's behavior or action that is explained by their beliefs, desires, or personality

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which contradictory terms are combined for effect

Paradox

A statement or situation that appears contradictory but may have truth or logic

Parallelism

The use of similar grammatical structures or word patterns to express related ideas

Plausible Action

Events in a story that are believable or realistic

Plot

The sequence of events in a story

Personification

Giving human qualities or characteristics to non-human entities

Protagonist

The main character or central figure in a narrative

First-person

Narration from the perspective of a character using "I" or "we”

Second-person

Narration addressing the reader using "you”

Third-person

Narration from an outside perspective

Limited Omniscient

Narration that focuses on the thoughts and feelings of a single character

Omniscient

Narration with access to the thoughts and feelings of all characters

Rising Action

The part of a plot that builds tension and develops the conflict leading to the climax

Rhetoric

The art of persuasive language and communication

Resolution

The unfolding or solution of a complicated issue in a story

Setting

The time and place in which a story takes place

Simile

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as”

Speaker

The voice or persona assumed by the author in a literary work

Story of Initiation

A narrative that focuses on a character's coming-of-age or personal growth

Sustained Metaphor

A metaphor that is extended throughout a work or a significant portion of it

Symbol

A person, place, object, or action that represents something beyond its literal meaning

Sympathy

Feeling compassion or pity for someone's situation

Tenor

In a metaphor, the subject or object to which attributes are ascribed

Tone

The author's attitude or emotional stance toward the subject or the audience

Thematic Subject/Topic

The main idea or subject that runs throughout a work

Theme

The central idea or message conveyed by a literary work

Vehicle

In a metaphor, the image or concept used to convey the metaphor