Literary Terms

Analogy

A point-by-point comparison between two things that are alike in some respect. Often, ____ are used in nonfiction, when an unfamiliar subject or idea is explained in terms of a familiar one

Antagonist

Can be a person or things that is in opposition of the protagonist

Character

The people who take part in the action of a story, a novel, or drama

Characterization

Refers to the methods that a writer uses to develop characters

Conflict

Problems in the story

External Conflict

Involves a character pitted against an outside force, such as nature, a physical obstacle, or another character

Internal Conflict

Probems that occurs within a character

Connotation

Refers to the attitude and feeling associated with a word

Denotation

A words literal or dictionary meaning

Dialect

A form of language as it is spoken in a particular geographic area or by a particular social or ethnic group

Dialogue

Written conversation between two or more characters

Figurative Language

Language that communicates ideas beyond the ordinary, literal meanings of words

Flashback

An event that happened before the beginning of a story that is referred back to to give the reader context of a situation

Foreshadowing

A writers use of hints or clue to indicate events and situation that will occur later in a plot

Hyperbole

A figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or for humorous effect

Imagery

Descriptive words or phrases that re-create sensory experiences for the reader. Includes at least one of the five senses

Irony

A special kind of contract between appearance and reality - usually one in which reality is the opposite from what it seems

Metaphor

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that are basically unlike but have something in common

Mood

The feeling or atmosphere that the writer creates for the reader

Narrator

The character or voice whose point of view events are told in

Paradox

A statement that seems to contradict but is, nevertheless, true as in the beginning of this poem

Personification

A figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to an object, animal, or idea

Plot

The sequence of events. Generally built around a conflict

Point of view

The method of narrating. This is either first person or third person

Protagonist

Is the central character or hero in a narrative or drama, usually one the with whom the audience tends to identify

Setting

The time and place of a story. These aren’t always directly stated, but have clues that can lead the reader to have an idea

Stereotype

In literature, simplified or stock characters who conform to a fixed pattern or defined by a single trait

Symbol

A person, place, activity, or object that stands for something beyond itself

Theme

The main idea in a work of literature

Tone

The attitude a writer takes toward a subject

Understandment

A technique of creating emphasis by saying less than is actually or literally true

First Person

A narrator whos character is in the story and uses the pronouns I, me, and my

Third Person

the narrator is someone outside the action

Third Person Omniscient

• All knowing point of view

• The narrator sees into the minds of more than one character

Dramatic Irony

Irony where the reader or viewer knows something that a character does not know

Situational Irony

The contrast between what a character or reader expects and what actually exists or happens

Verbal Irony

Occurs when someone knowingly exaggerates or says one thing and means another