Literary Terms and Concepts

A series of flashcards focusing on key literary terms and concepts for exam review.

Author's Intent/Purpose

The purpose or aim an author intends to convey through their work, such as to persuade, inform, or entertain.

External Conflict

A type of conflict that places characters at odds with forces outside themselves, creating tension as the character tries to reach their goals.

Internal Conflict

A type of conflict where the character struggles with themselves concerning a decision or issue.

Mood

The way the reader feels when reading a part of the text; the overall atmosphere.

Dialect

A way of speaking specific to a particular region.

Allusion

References to a historically important or famous person, place, or thing.

Hyperbole

Figurative language that is an exaggeration or overstatement for the purpose of emphasis.

Simile

Figurative language that is a comparison of two different things, using 'like' or 'as'.

Metaphor

Figurative language that is a comparison of two different things without using 'like' or 'as'.

Onomatopoeia

Figurative language that uses words that sound like the things they name.

Imagery

The use of descriptive language that creates vivid images in the audience's mind through sensory information.

Personification

Figurative language that gives human qualities to an object or animal.

Alliteration

The repetition of the initial consonant sound in a series of words.

Assonance

The repetition of the vowel sound anywhere in the word.

Consonance

The repetition of the ending consonant sound.

Round Character

Characters that are developed in a multidimensional way with many details about their personality.

Flat Character

Characters that the audience has limited information about and play a minor role in the story.

Dynamic Character

A character that changes throughout the story due to their experiences or observations.

Static Character

A character that remains the same throughout the story.

Foreshadowing

The suggestion of events to come in a story.