Literary analysis

Idiom

An expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words; it has a separate meaning of its own.

No pain, no gain

An idiom meaning that without hard work, there will be no rewards.

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally.

Swimming in money

A hyperbole meaning to be very wealthy.

Simile

A figure of speech that makes an explicit comparison between different things using 'as' or 'like'.

Fast as lightning

A simile used to describe something that is very fast.

Metaphor

An implicit comparison between two different things that share common characteristics.

A walking encyclopedia

A metaphor describing someone very knowledgeable.

Personification

A figure of speech in which an object or idea is given human qualities.

The winds was howling all night

An example of personification, giving the wind human-like qualities.

Plot

The sequence of events in a literary work or film and the relationships between them.

Five-stage structure of plot

Exposition, Rising action, Climax/turning point, Falling action, Resolution.

Exposition

The part of the plot that introduces the characters and setting and explains the problem.

Rising action

The events in a plot that lead up to the climax.

Climax/turning point

The most intense point of the plot where the main conflict reaches its peak.

Falling action

The events that follow the climax and lead to the resolution.

Resolution

The conclusion of the plot where conflicts are resolved.