Literary terms

Allusion

a brief and indirect reference in a text to something typically of historical, biblical, or literary significance. The reference does not go into detail.

Characterization

the ways in which a writer portrays a character either directly or indirectly.

Direct characterization

how a character is portrayed through his/her description, actions,words, or thoughts.

Indirect characterization

How a character is portrayed through other characters’ actions or reactions, words or thoughts.

Conflict

A Struggle between two, opposing forces-- usually a protagonist and antagonist.

Internal conflict

a psychological one in which a character typically experiences two conflicting emotions or desires, i.e. the decision to do good or evil.

External conflict

experienced by a character when he encounters obstacles that hurt or stop his progress.

Details

descriptive information a writer includes that serves the purpose of making a text more interesting and stimulating, as well as engaging the reader in the meaning making process.

Diction

word choice; the style of speaking or writing as determined by the choice of words.

Foreshadowing

When a writer gives a hint about what will happen later

Hyperbole

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

Imagery

the use of descriptive language that draws on the five senses to help the reader imagine or to create a particular effect.

Verbal irony

occurs when words mean something other than they appear to mean; verbal irony is often funny

Situational Irony

occurs when the opposite of what was likely or expected happens. Situational Irony can be funny or dramatic.

Dramatic Irony

occurs when the audience is aware, or more aware, of what is happening. Dramatic Irony is often dramatic.

Juxtaposition

the side-by-side or close placement of two or more things for effect or contrast

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which an unstated comparison is made between two things that are unrelated but share some characteristics.

Direct metaphor

This office is a prison

Indirect metaphor

I’m stuck behind bars from 9-5!

Mood

The atmosphere or feeling evoked by a text.

Paradox

A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement that somehow makes sense.

Personification

ascribing human characteristics to non-human things.

Rhetorical Appeals

Aristotle’s three modes of persuasion– pathos, ethos, and logos– that he claimed help make an argument more persuasive by appealing to emotion, credibility, and logic.

Pathos

an appeal to emotions

Ethos

an appeal that seeks to establish credibility

Logos

An appeal to logic

Rhetorical Question

a question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.

Setting

The time and location in which a story takes place.

Simile

A figure of speech in which a comparison is made between two unrelated things using the words "like" or "as."

Symbolism

A figure of speech in which an object, character, or event represents something else throughout a literary work.

Theme

A central idea that runs through or is presented in a literary work

Tone

the attitude or feelings of the writer or speaker towards something or someone.

connotative diction

words that are chosen for the many emotional and associative feelings/meanings that come along with them

formal diction or colloquial diction

Style of writing

 Anthropomorphism

animals or inanimate objects are portrayed as humans in a story