Literary Terms Column 1

AP Lit

Allegory

A work that conveys a hidden meaning (usually moral, spiritual, or political) through the use of symbolic characters and events

Alliteration

A figure of speech in which the same sounds repeats in a group of words

Allusion

An unexplained reference to someone or something outside the text

Analogy

A comparison that aims to explain a thing or idea by likening it to something else 

Antagonist

A character who opposes the protagonist (or main character) of a story; can also be a group of characters, institution, or force

Antithesis

A figure of speech that juxtaposes two contrasting or opposing ideas, usually within parallel grammatical structures

Aphorism

A saying that concisely expresses a moral principle or observation about the world, presenting it as a general or universal truth

Apostrophe

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

Catharsis

A process of releasing strong or pent-up emotions through art

Characterization

The representation of traits, motives, and psychology of a character in a narrative; may occur through direct description by the character themselves or through their thoughts and actions

Cliche

A phrase that, due to overuse, is seen as lacking substance or originality

Climax

A figure of speech in which successive words, phrases, clauses, or sentences are arranged in order of importance

Connotation

The array of emotions and ideas suggested by a word in addition to its dictionary definition

Denouement

The final section of a story’s plot, in which loose ends are tied up, lingering questions are answered, and a sense of resolution is achieved

Deus Ex Machina

A plot device whereby an unsolvable conflict or point of tension is suddenly resolved by the unexpected appearance of an implausible character, object, ability, or event

Dialogue

The exchange of spoken words between two or more characters in a book, play, or other written work

Diction

A writer’s unique style of expression, especially his or her choice and arrangement of words

Epic

A long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation

Epigram

A short and witty statement, usually written in verse, that conveys a single thought or observation; typically ends with a punchline or satirical twist

Epigraph

A short quotation, phrase, or poem that is placed at the beginning of another piece of writing to encapsulate that work’s main themes and to set the poem

Exposition

The description or explanation of background information within a work of literature

Falling action

The section of the plot, following the climax, in which the tension stemming from the story’s central conflict decreases and the the story moves toward its conclusion

Figurative language

A language that contains or uses figures of speech

Foreshadowing

A literary device in which authors hint at plot developments that don’t actually occur until later in the story

Hyperbole

A figure or speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis

Imagery

Refers to descriptive language that engages the human senses

Irony

A literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are

Dramatic irony

A plot device often used in theatre, literature, film, and television to highlight the difference between a character’s understanding of a given situation

Situational irony

A literary device where the outcome of the situation is the opposite of what was expected or intended, often creating a surprising twist or humorous effect

Juxtaposition

When an author places two things side by side as a way of highlighting their differences. Ideas, images, characters, and actions are all things that can be juxtaposed with one another.

Literary Device

A technique authors use to produce specific effects in writing (e.g., imagery, irony).

Metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.” Saying that one thing is another

Extended Metaphor

A metaphor that unfolds across multiple lines or even paragraphs of a text, making use of multiple interrelated metaphors within an overarching one

Mood

Its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader.

Motif

A recurring element (image, symbol, idea) that supports a theme. (ex: bloody hands symbolizing guilt in Macbeth); help develop the central themes of a book or play.

Muse

A source of artistic information

Narrative

An account of connected events. Two writers describing the same set of events might craft very different narratives, depending on how they use different narrative elements, such as tone or point of view

Onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which words evoke the actual sound of the thing they refer to or describe. The “boom” of a firework exploding, the “tick tock” of a clock

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a point—particularly to reveal a deeper or hidden truth (ex: deafening silence)

Paradox

A figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason

Parody 

A work that mimics the style of another work, artist, or genre in an exaggerated way, usually for comic effect.

Personification

A type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes

Plot

Plot is the sequence of interconnected events within the story of a play, novel, film, epic, or other narrative literary work. More than simply an account of what happened, plot reveals the cause-and-effect relationships between the events that occur.

Plot Device

Any element like an object, character, or event that a writer uses to move a story forward or create a specific narrative effect

Poetic Justice

An outcome in which vice is punished and virtue rewarded usually in a manner peculiarly or ironically appropriate

Point of View

Refers to the perspective that the narrator holds in relation to the events of the story.

Protagonist

Main character who has the sympathy and support of the audience; tends to be involved in or affected by most of the choices or conflicts that arise in the narrative.

Prologue

An introductory section of a play, book, or other literary work that provides background information to set the stage for the main narrative

Pun

A figure of speech that plays with words that have multiple meanings, or that plays with words that sound similar but mean different things. (ex: grammar lovers have lots of comma sense)

Red Herring

A piece of information in a story that distracts readers from an important truth, or leads them to mistakenly expect a particular outcome.

Rhetoric

The art of using language effectively to persuade, influence, or move an audience.

Rhetorical Question

A figure of speech in which a question is asked for a reason other than to get an answer—most commonly, it's asked to make a persuasive point

Rising Action

The section of the plot leading up to the climax, in which the tension stemming from the story's central conflict grows through successive plot developments.

Satire

The use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone.

Simile

A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. To make the comparison, similes most often use the connecting words "like" or "as”

Symbolism

A literary device in which a writer uses one thing—usually a physical object or phenomenon—to represent something more abstract.

Synecdoche

A figure of speech in which, most often, a part of something is used to refer to its whole. (ex: I can’t wait to get back to the waves means I can’t wait to get back to the ocean)

Theme

A universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature. One key characteristic of literary themes is their universality

Tone

A work’s general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on.

Tome

A noun used to refer to a book, especially one that is notably large, heavy, and often scholarly or serious in subject matter. 

Tragic Hero

A type of character in a tragedy, and is usually the protagonist. Tragic heroes typically have heroic traits that earn them the sympathy of the audience, but also have flaws or make mistakes that ultimately lead to their own downfall.

Understatement

A figure of speech in which something is expressed less strongly than would be expected, or in which something is presented as being smaller, worse, or lesser than it really is.