TEWWG Literary Terms

imagery

visually descriptive language, especially in literary work

point of view

a position or perspective from which something is considered or evaluated

characterization

a description or distinctive nature or features of a fictional character

personification

the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form

dialect/vernacular

the language or (accent) that is spoken by people that are inhabiting a particular country or religion

idiom

a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible form those of the individual works (ex. raining cats and dogs)

frame narrative

a literary technique that serves a companion piece to a story within a story, into/main narrative sets the stage for a second narrative or set of shorter stories

style

the manner of expressing thought in language characteristic of an individual, period, school or narration

symbolism

the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities

metaphor

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable

motif

a distinctive repeating feature or idea; often, it helps develop other narrative aspects such as theme or mood

similie

a figure of speech that directly compared two things, often uses words such as "like" "than" "as"

tone

expresses the writer's attitude toward or feelings about the subject matter and audience

mood

the atmosphere of the narrative, created by means of setting, attitude and descriptions

free indirect discourse

describes moments in a third-person narrative when the narrator becomes infected by the perspective of one of its characters

bildungsroman

depicts and explores the manner in which the protagonist develops morally and psychologically (coming of age)

protagonist

the character that the story/plot centers around/fate matters, emotional heart of the narrative (main character)

antagonist

the principle opponent of the protagonist/main character in a story/narrative

conflict

a major literary element of narrative or dramatic structure that creates challenges in a story by adding uncertainty as to whether the goal will be achieved by the protagonist

diction

choice of words, especially with regard to correctness, clearness or effectiveness

allusion

a figure of speech, in which an object or circumstance from unrelated context in referred to covertly or indirectly, implied or indirect reference