Lit terms E-J

Fable

Short fictional story that teaches a moral lesson, often using talking animals, plants, or forces of nature with human qualities as characters

Figurative language

Words or phrases that use imaginative or non-literal meanings to create a visual, emotional, or impactful effect

Enjambment

The continuation of a sentence or phrase in one line of poetry into the next, without pause. Often shows a running thought.

Epic

A story poem about a hero who goes on a great journey and faces many obstacles, often involving magic. Examples: The Odyssey, Beowulf.

Epiphany

When a character has a sudden realization, or looks at something in a new light. Example: A character realizes she doesn't want to be like her parents, making a point to behave differently.

Euphemism

A gentler, less offensive way of phrasing something. Examples: Saying someone "passed away" vs "died"; saying "we're letting you go" instead of "You're fired."

Euphony

Pleasing or sweet sounds created by words that sound nice to the ear. Example: "The moon softly swooned."

Expert Testimony

An opinion given by someone highly educated or who has expertise in the subject. Example: A historian explains why Germany lost WWII.

Exposition

Background information provided at the start of a plot to enhance the reader's understanding. Example: A book based on WWII provides information about the war for better context.

Extended Metaphor

A comparison that is carried through a longer poem or work. Example: Comparing a lover to a summer's day through an entire sonnet.

External Conflict

A conflict that takes place between a character and a force outside themselves. Types: man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. society.

Fable

Short fictional story that teaches a moral lesson, often using talking animals, plants, or forces of nature with human qualities. Examples: Tortoise and the Hare, The boy who cried wolf.

Falling Action

Section of a story's plot that happens right after the climax, leading into the final resolution, such as the hero returning home and restoring order.

Fantasy

Genre of speculative fiction featuring magical, supernatural, or unnatural elements. Example: J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings."

Figurative Language

Words or phrases that use imaginative or non-literal meanings to create a visual, emotional, or impactful effect, like similes, metaphors, and hyperboles.

First Person POV

Style of storytelling where the character tells events from their own perspective, relying on words like I, me, my, we, mine. Example: "Call me Ishmael."

Flashback

Narrative device that interrupts the chronological order of a story to show an event that happened in the past.

Flat Character

Uncomplicated, predictable figure who is dominated by a single trait or idea and does not undergo personal growth. Example: The Wicked Witch of the West.

Foreshadow

Hints or clues that suggest something that will happen later in a story or poem. Example: Dark clouds gathering before a trip, foreshadowing a storm.

Form

The structure or organization of a literary work, including how it is arranged and written. Example: A sonnet has 14 lines and a specific rhyme structure.

Formal Language

A serious, polished style of language that avoids slang, casual expressions, and overly conversational wording.

Free Verse

Poetry that does not follow a regular rhyme scheme, meter, or fixed structure, creating a natural, conversational rhythm.

Genre

A category of literature based on its style, subject, or characteristics. Example: The Hunger Games belongs to the dystopian and science fiction genres.

Graphic Text

A text that uses visual elements like images, illustrations, diagrams, or layout together with written language. Example: A graphic novel.

Hyperbole

An intentional and extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally. Example: "I've told you a million times to clean your room."

Idiom

A commonly used expression that has meaning other than its grammatical or logical one. Example: "Kill two birds with one stone" or "It's raining cats and dogs"

Imagery

When an author uses description of the 5 senses so the reader feels they are there. Example: "The sweet smell emanated from the warm cinnamon buns"

Indeterminate Ending

An ending which is not clearly stated, and relies on the reader's interpretation. (A cliffhanger)

Interior Monologue

When an author records their/a character's thoughts and impulses continually, without regular stops. Also known as "stream of consciousness."

Internal Conflict

Conflict that takes place within a character. (Man vs. Self) Example: A character commits a crime and debates with themselves whether they should confess or not.

Internal Rhyme

A rhyme that occurs within one line of poetry. Example: "Fred got out of bed." or "For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams"

Irony

When the opposite of what is expected occurs. Often used for humor.

Jargon

Language used by a specific group of people. Example: Maze Runner: "Greenie, Shank, Klunk, Shuckface," etc.

Juxtaposition

Putting two things side by side with the intention of making differences apparent. Example: Dove advert puts a curvy woman beside an anorexic model.

Emotional Appeal

When a writer gets the reader emotionally invested in their writing 

• SPCA commercials, child sponsorship commercials