English 3 Literary Terms Part I

english 3 honors - ms. york - first quiz

flashback

when writers insert interruptions in their writing to describe past events in order to provide background or context to the current events of the narrative

simile

comparison between two different things using “like” or “as”

idiom

saying that means something different than a literal translation of the words

foreshadowing

when the author hints towards future events in the story

pun

play on words - centers on a word with multiple meanings or two words that sound alike

imagery

describing objects, actions, and ideas in a way that appeals to our physical senses

conflict

struggle between opposing forces; drives dramatic action of the plot

external conflict

struggle between a character and an outside force, such as nature or another character

hyperbole

extreme exaggeration to make a point or show emphasis

diction

choice of words of a speaker or writer; style of speaking/writing

verbal irony

a person says or writes one thing but means another; sarcasm

metaphor

comparison between two things not using like or as

figurative language

figures of speech used to be more effective, persuasive, and impactful

alliteration

two or more words in a phrase or line of text share the same beginning consonant sound

situational irony

incongruity between what is expected to happen and what actually happens

internal conflict

psychological struggle within the mind of a character

personification

giving human characteristics to non-human things

onomatopoeia

word which imitates the natural sound of a thing; written sound effect

oxymoron

two contradictory words put together in one phrase

understatement

writer/speaker intentionally downplaying a situation or making it seem less important than it really is

archetype

typical example of a person or thing, universal character type

dramatic irony

when the audience knows something the characters do not

allusion

reference to a well-known story, event, person, or object to make a comparison in the reader’s mind

irony

contrast or incongruity between expectations and reality