Literary elements and figurative language

tone

the author's attitude: how they feel about their subject and their readers.

mood

the overall atmosphere or feeling of a piece of writing; general atmosphere or emotional complexion

allusion

a brief and indirect reference to well-known people, places or events from myths, religion, or literature: person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance.

symbol

the use of something concrete (object, person, idea, action) to represent something abstract.

motif

a specific idea or feature that continuously occurs in a piece of art. Ex. light and dark in Romeo and Juliet

Imagery

words or phrases that trigger or appeal to one or more of the five senses.

metaphor

comparing two different things (NOT using like or as)

simile

comparing two different things using like or as

personification

when a thing, an animal, or idea is given human characteristics

hyperbole

an exaggeration and not meant to be taken seriously

repetition

repeating words or phrases to create an effect, including to persuade

rhyme

repeating sounds, specifically end sounds of words

rhythm

the pace, flow or beat. Stressed and unstressed syllables can ne arranged to create a pattern

onomatopoeia

a word is created to phonetically resemble a sound.

alliteration

when words that start with the same letter (or similar sounds) are place together/near each other.

assonance

repetition of the same or similar vowel sounds.

consonance

repetition of similar sounding consonants in succession.

oxymoron

two contradictory terms are paired together.

juxtaposition

two contrasting ideas are placed side-by-side, usually to highlight their differences; creates emphasis or a more vivid image in the reader's mind.

exposition

background information on characters and events necessary for understanding the story

rising action

Events that lead to the main conflict; the events leading to the turning point

climax

The conflict or tension hits the highest point

resolution

Events following the climax in which outcome is worked out (resolved)

conclusion

Final event of a story's plot where are the loose ends are tied up

third person limited narration

Narrator outside of the story who reveals the thoughts of only SOME of the characters, which are usually important characters or the protagonist.

setting

the time and place a story takes place

static character

character who does not change by the end of the story; does not change personality, attitudes, opinions

direct characterization

narrator/author directly states the character's traits

indirect characteristics

the process of describing a character through the character's thoughts, actions, speech and dialogue

dynamic character

a character who changes from the beginning of the story to the end; changes in personality, attitudes, opinions

character foil

character who provides a contrast to another character

verbal irony

when one thing is said and another is meant

situational irony

a contrast between an expected outcome and an actual outcome; when something happens that the reader does not expect