Literature & Literary Analysis Vocabulary

Comprehensive flashcards based on lecture notes covering literary terminology, character analysis, narrative structures, and analytical verbs.

Written works valued for their artistic, cultural, or intellectual qualities are known as __________.

literature

A __________ is a category of literature defined by particular characteristics.

genre

Literature that is invented or imagined rather than factual is called __________.

fiction

The sequence of events that make up a story is the __________.

plot

The time, place, and social environment in which a story takes place is the __________.

setting

A __________ is a recurring element, image, idea, or situation that contributes to a work's meaning.

motif

The main character whose experiences usually drive the story is the __________.

protagonist

A character or force that opposes the protagonist is the __________.

antagonist

__________ is the way an author presents and develops a character.

characterisation

The way a character changes or grows during a literary work is known as __________ __________.

character development

A struggle that takes place within a character's mind or emotions is an __________ __________.

internal conflict

The point of greatest tension or intensity in a story is the __________.

climax

A scene that presents an event from an earlier time is a __________.

flashback

Hints or clues about events that will happen later are called __________.

foreshadowing

A narrator who refers to characters as "he," "she," or "they" is a __________-__________ __________.

third-person narrator

An __________ narrator knows the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of multiple characters.

omniscient narrator

A narrator whose account cannot be fully trusted is an __________ __________.

unreliable narrator

The author's choice of words is known as __________.

diction

The author's or narrator's attitude toward a subject or situation is the __________.

tone

The emotional atmosphere created for the reader is the __________.

mood

Descriptive language that creates sensory or mental images is __________.

imagery

__________ __________ communicates meaning beyond its literal meaning.

figurative language

A contrast between what is expected or said and what actually happens or is meant is __________.

irony

An explanation of the possible meaning or significance of a literary work is an __________.

interpretation

Specific details from the text that support an interpretation are called __________.

evidence

A reasoned claim supported by evidence and explanation is an __________.

argument

Historical, social, cultural, or biographical circumstances relevant to a work are its __________.

context

The analytical verb __________ means to communicate something without stating it directly.

imply

The analytical verb __________ means to cause a particular feeling, image, or association.

evoke

To __________ is to represent a deeper or abstract idea.

symbolise