Analyzing Literature Vocabulary

allusion

A reference to a well-known mythological, literary, or historical person, place, or thing: e.g., "He was a real Scrooge."

antithesis

A direct juxtaposition of structurally parallel words, phrases, or clauses for the purpose of contrast: e.g., "Sink or swim."

details

The facts revealed by the author or speaker that support the attitude or tone in a piece of poetry or prose.

diction

A writer's or speaker's word choice, which is intended to convey a certain effect.

flashback

A scene that interrupts the action of a work to show a previous event.

foreshadowing

The use of hints or clues in a narrative to suggest future action.

imagery

Used when a writer/speaker appeals to the audience's five senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, sound) by using words that create a vivid or sensory experience, through descriptions and details.

verbal irony

Occurs when a speaker or narrator says one thing while meaning the opposite. An example occurs in the statement, "It is easy to stop smoking. I've done it many times."

situational irony

Occurs when a situation turns out differently from what one would normally expect--though often the twist is oddly appropriate: e.g., a deep sea diver drowning in a bathtub is ironic.

dramatic irony

Occurs when the reader knows more about a character's situation than the character does. The reader foresees an outcome that is different than the character's expectations

metaphor

A comparison of two things (which may be dissimilar), often for the purpose of explanation, WITHOUT using the words "like" or "as"

mood

How the reader feels about the text while reading.

motivation

A circumstance or set of circumstances that prompts a character to act in a certain way or that determines the outcome of a situation or work.

narration

The telling of a story in writing or speaking.

oxymoron

A form of paradox that combines a pair of opposite terms into a single unusual expression: e.g., "sweet sorrow" or "cold fire."

paradox

Occurs when the elements of a statement contradict each other. Although the statement may appear illogical, impossible, or absurd, it turns out to have a coherent meaning that reveals a hidden truth: e.g., "Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." -Gandhi

"It's weird not to be weird." -John Lennon

personification

A kind of metaphor that gives inanimate objects or abstract ideas human characteristics: e.g., "The wind cried in the dark."

plot

The sequence of events or actions in a short story, novel, play, or narrative poem.

point of view

The perspective from which a narrative is told.

first person

The narrator that speaks as "I" and is a major or minor character involved in the story; readers see the world of the story through this character's perspective

second person

The narrator speaks to the readers using "you." Using this point of view can make the readers feel as if they are more involved in the action of the story.

third person - objective

A narrator that describes speech and actions of other characters, but never refers to their thoughts

third person - limited

A narrator that relates the experiences, thoughts, and feelings of a single character

third person - omniscient

A narrator that knows everything about all of the characters and events in the story and is free to move in time and place

protagonist

The central character of a drama, novel, short story, or narrative poem

antagonist

The character who stands directly opposed to the protagonist.

setting

The time and place in which events in a short story, novel, play, or narrative poem take place.

shift or turn

Refers to a change or movement in a piece resulting from an epiphany, realization, or insight gained by the speaker, a character, or the reader

simile

A comparison of two things (which may be dissimilar), often for the purpose of explanation, USING the words "like" or "as"

structure

The framework or organization of a story and its events; usually determined by plot (exposition, rising action, etc.) and can follow traditional plot (beginning, middle, and end) or break this mold.

suspense

The quality of a short story, novel, play, or narrative poem that makes the reader or audience uncertain or tense about the outcome of events.

symbol

Any object, person, place, or action that has both a meaning in itself and that stands for something larger than itself, such as a quality, attitude, belief, or value.

tone

The writer's or speaker's attitude toward a subject, character, or audience; this is conveyed through the author's choices in words, details, descriptions, etc.

theme

A central topic, subject, or idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work.

theme statement

A complete sentence which clearly expresses a message, life lesson, or main point related to a theme found in a literary work

juxtaposition

A technique in which two concepts, characters, ideas, or settings are placed near or next to each other so that the reader will compare and contrast them

connotation

The feeling or emotions that are tied to, are connected to, or accompany a word.

denotation

The dictionary definition of a word, or the literal meaning of a word.

external conflict

A struggle between a character and an outside force. These outside forces could include another character, nature, and/or society.

internal conflict

A struggle between a character and him/herself. This could include making difficult decisions, dealing with mixed emotions, issues of morality, etc.

climax

The turning point or decisive moment of a story; the point when the rising action turns into the falling action.

resolution

The point in the story when the primary conflict is resolved. It is the outcome/result of a situation or sequence of events. It occurs near the end of the plot.

rising action

The events in a story that lead to the climax, usually involves an increase in tension as the primary conflict develops.

falling action

The events of the story that follow the climax and lead to the resolution

exposition

The part of a story when the main characters, setting, and primary conflict are introduced. It is a kind of writing that provides information and sets the stage for the action.

flat character

A character who is relatively uncomplicated and does not display emotional depth or many character traits; these character traits do not change

round character

A well-developed, life-like character with realistic emotions, depth, and multiple character traits

static character

A character who does not experience an internal change (personality, perspective, understanding, or attitude) as a result of the action in a story's plot

dynamic character

a character who undergoes an important internal change (personality, perspective, understanding, or attitude) as a result of the action in a story's plot

characterization

the art of creating and describing characters in a literary work. Characters may be presented by means of description, through their actions, speech, or thoughts.