IB lit

Allusion

A reference to a person, event, or literary work that adds meaning to a story.

Anecdote

A short story or personal experience told by a character.

Bildungsroman

A story that focuses on the main character’s personal, moral, or emotional growth.

Characterization

The ways an author shows a character’s personality and traits.

Contradiction

A statement or idea that directly conflicts with another.

Diction

An author’s choice of words.

Epistolary

A story told through letters.

Foil

A character who contrasts with another character to highlight their traits.

Foreshadowing

Hints about events that will happen later in the story.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the five senses.

Irony

When what happens or is said is different from what is expected.

Juxtaposition

Placing two things next to each other to show a contrast or create an effect.

Motif

An element that appears repeatedly throughout a story.

Narrator

The person or voice that tells the story.

Oxymoron

A phrase that combines two opposite or contradictory words.

Perspective

A character’s personal view or understanding of events.

Plot

The order of events that happen in a story.

Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told.

Protagonist

The main character in a story.

Satire

Using humor or ridicule to criticize people, ideas, or weaknesses.

Setting

The time and place where a story happens.

Stream of Consciousness

A writing style that presents a character’s thoughts and feelings as they occur.

Symbolism

Using something concrete to represent a deeper meaning or idea.

Syntax

The way words and sentences are arranged.

Theme

The main idea or message of a story.

Tone

The author’s attitude toward the subject.

Voice

The unique style or personality of the narrator’s storytelling.