Lit Terms

Alliteration

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning or closely connected words

Allusion

A brief reference to a famous person or event

Antagonist

A person who opposes the protagonist

Characterization

The process by which an author introduces and develops a character. It reveals personality and traits to the reader.

Conflict

A struggle between opposing forces creating tension and driving the plot forward.

Hyperbole

An obvious and deliberate exaggeration

Imagery

The language is used to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind through the five senses (sight, sound, scent, taste, touch).

Irony

When there’s a contrast between what is accepted and what actually happens.

Metaphor

A comparison without using like or as

Metonymy

A figure of speech where one thing is referred by the name of something closely associated with

Onomatopoeia

A word that resembles the sound it describes

Personification

Assigning human qualities to something that is non human

Plot

The main events of the story presented by the speaker in a specific sequence

Setting

The Place where it is taking place

Simile

A comparison using like or as

Symbol

an object, person, place, or action

Synecdoche

Part of something used to represent a whole

Theme

main message or big idea

Tone

Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject, characters, or audience, conveyed through their word choices and writing style.