lit terms

allegory

a work that conveys a hidden meaning

analogy

a comparison that aims to explain a thing or idea by likening it to something else

antagonist

a character who opposes the protagonist

antithesis

juxtaposes two contrasting or opposing ideas, usually within parallel grammatical structures

aphorism

a saying that concisely expresses a moral principle or observation about the world; catchy

apostrophe

when a speaker directly addresses an absent or dead person, inanimate object, or an abstract concept as if it were present and could respond

catharsis

the process of releasing strong or pent up emotions through art

cliche

a phrase that is seen as lacking in substance or originality due to overuse

connotation

the array of emotions and ideas suggested by a word in addition to the textbook definition

denouement

the final section of a story’s plot where the loose ends are tied up

deus ex machina

a plot device where an unsolvable conflict or point of tension is suddenly resolved by the unexpected appearance of an implausible character, object, event, etc.

dialogue

the exchange of words by two or more characters in a book

diction

a writer’s unique style or expression of words and their style of arrangement

epic

long narrative poem that tells a story of a legendary hero

epigram

a short and witty statement, usually written in verse, that conveys a single thought or observation

epigraph

a short quotation, phrase, or poem that is placed at the beginning of a work or chapter to encapsulate the main theme

figurative language

language that contains figures of speech

figure of speech

language is used in an unusual or “figured” way to produce a stylistic effect

irony

a device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are

dramatic irony

the difference between what a character knows and what the audience knows

juxtaposition

when the author places two things next to each other to highlight their differences

metaphor

comparing two different things by saying that one thing is the other

extended metaphor

metaphor that unfolds over multiple lines or even paragraphs of text

mood

general atmosphere or emotional complexion of a writing

motif

an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature

muse

a noun that inspires a creative work

narrative

an account of connected events

onomotopeia

words used to evoke the actual sound of a thing they refer to or describe

oxymoron

two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired to make a point

paradox

a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself but actually contains some kind of truth or reason

parody

a work that mimics the style of another work in an exaggerated way, often for comedic effect

personification

non-human things are described as having human attributes

plot

the sequence of interconnected events within the story of a play, novel, film, epic, or other narrative literary work

plot device

a technique in a narrative work used to drive the plot forward

poetic justice

an outcome in which vice is punished and virtue is rewarded usually peculiarly or ironically appropriate

Prologue

introduction

Pun

a figure of speech that plays with words that have multiple meanings or sound similar but have different meanings

Red Herring

information that distracts the reader from an important truth or leads them to mistakenly expect a particular outcome

Rhetoric

the art, study, and practice of using language and other symbols to inform, persuade, or motivate an audience

Rhetorical Question

a question is asked for a reason other than to get an answer

Satire

use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize someone or something

Symbolism

a writer uses one thing, usually a physical object or phenomenon to represent something more abstract

Synecdoche

a part of something is used to refer to its whole

Theme

a universal idea, lesson, or message that is explored throughout literature

Tone

general character or attitude of a piece of writing

tome

a large or scholarly book, often as a part of a larger work

Tragic Hero

a type of hero in a story that is usually the protagonist

understatement

when something is expressed less strongly than would be expected