Literary Terms Set #2

Suspense

writing that keeps the reader turning the pages, wanting to know what happens next

Plot

The series of events that make up a story

Exposition

The part of plot where characters are introduced and background information is given

Rising Action

The part of plot where the problem of the story is revealed

Climax

The most exciting, intense part of the story (this is a part of plot)

Falling Action

This part of plot explains the result of the climax or explains what happens after the climax

Foreshadowing

A hint in the story about something that will occur later in the story

Flashback

A point in a story that brings the reader back to a previous time

Conflict

The problem that occurs in the story

Nature

This type of conflict is when the character is struggling with a fire or storm. It is called Man vs. _______.

Man

This type of conflict is when the character is struggling with another character. It is called Man vs. ________

self

This type of conflict is when the character is struggling with his/her own personal issues. It is called Man vs. _______

Internal

Man vs. Self is an example of this. The conflict/problem is occurring within.

External

Man vs. Man, Man vs. Nature, and Man vs. Society are examples of this. The conflict/problem is occurring with an outside force.

Mood

The feeling a reader gets from the story

Figurative

This type of language goes beyond the real or literal meaning and uses figures of speech in order to help the reader understand something better.

Personification

Giving human characteristics to nonhuman objets

Hyperbole

an exaggerated statement used to make an effect

Simile

A comparison of two things using like or as

Metaphor

A comparison of two things not using like or as

Onomatopoeia

The use of words to imitate or suggest their sounds

Alliteration

The repetition of the same beginning sound in a series of words

Symbol

something that stands or represents something

Idiom

A word or phrase that has a different meaning than its literal meaning. These might confuse someone from another country.

Irony

A contrast or difference between what is stated and what is really meant or between what is expected to happen and what actually does happen

Oxymoron

A figure of speech where two opposite ideas are joined together.

Society

This type of conflict occurs when a character is struggling with social rules or unfair laws of government. It is called Man vs. _____________.

Technology

This type of conflict is when a person struggles against robots or machines. Man vs. _____

Supernatural

This type of conflict is when a character struggles against vampires, werewolves, aliens or ghosts. Man vs. _____

Allusion

This is when a story mentions characters or events from another story.

Oxymoron

This is when two opposite ideas are joined together.