Lit terms for Pre-IB 2

Historical allusion

a reference made in a literary work that draws on events, figures, or elements from history to enrich the text and provide deeper meaning

Biblical Allusion

References to the Christian bible in literary works

Antagonist

The principal opponent or foil of the main character, who is referred to as the protagonist, in a drama or narrative

Protagonist

The main character, who has the sympathy and support of the audience

Archetype

a symbol, story pattern, or character type that is found in the literature of many cultures

Catharsis

a purification or purging of emotions that brings about spiritual renewal through literary works, particularly a tragedy.

Characterization

The literary device used to develop and explain the details of a fictional character, revealing their personality, motivations, and inner world through direct and indirect methods

Internal Conflict

A character's inner struggle with their own emotions, desires, moral dilemmas, or beliefs, often referred to as "Man vs Self"

External conflict

The struggle between a protagonist and an outside force, rather than an internal struggle

Dialect

A variety of a language distinguished by variations of accent, grammar, or vocabulary.

Dialogue

The spoken conversation between two or more characters

Irony

A device in which there is a deliberate contrast between appearance and reality

Exposition

A narrative device, often used at the beginning of a work, that provides necessary background information about the characters and their circumstances.

Figurative language

The non-literal use of words or phrases to create a more vivid, imaginative, or meaningful effect than straightforward language.

Foreshadowing

A literary device where an author drops hints/clues about events that will occur later in the story, building suspense and tension for the readers

Imagery

Description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)

Metaphor

a figurative use of language in which a comparison is expressed without the use of a comparative term like "as," "like," or "than."

Mood

Feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader

Point of view

the perspective from which a story is told

Repetition

Repeated use of sounds, words, or ideas for effect and emphasis

Setting

The time and place of a story

Structure

the arrangement or framework of a sentence, paragraph, or entire work

Style (Author's Style)

the author's word choice, sentence structure, figurative language, and sentence arrangement all work together to establish mood, images, and meaning in the text

Symbol

A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract.

Theme

A message about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader.

Tone

Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character

verisimilitude

the quality of appearing to be true, real, likely, or probable