Writer's Craft Terms

allusion

a reference to another work, moment, or cultural touchstone

characterization

how authors reveal characters' traits and motivations

conflict

the tension that drives the story (internal, external, existential crisis over course selection...)

diction

word choice. Because "good" and "well-crafted" mean very different things

figurative Language

non-literal expressions like metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole

foreshadowing

clues about what’s coming

imagery

language that appeals to the senses

irony

a difference between expectation and reality - like a snow day in April

motif

a recurring element that builds meaning (e.g., green lights, eyes, doors, clocks)

narrator/point of view

who's telling the story and how reliable they are

plot structure

The architecture of a story: rising action, climax, etc.