SIMPLIFIED LIT TERMS

Allegory

A story where characters and events symbolize deeper meanings.

Alliteration

Repeating the same starting sound in a sentence or line.

Allusion

A reference to something else in history or literature.

Ambiguity

When a text can have multiple interpretations.

Analogy

A comparison between two different things to explain something.

Anaphora

Repeating a word or phrase for emphasis.

Antagonist

The character who opposes the main character.

Antecedent

The word that a pronoun refers to.

Anticlimax

A sudden drop in tension, often for comedic effect.

Antihero

A main character with bad traits but is somewhat relatable.

Antithesis

Contrasting two opposite ideas for effect.

Antonym

A word with the opposite meaning.

Aphorism

A short, clever saying about life.

Apostrophe

Addressing someone or something that isn’t present.

Atmosphere

The overall mood of a story created by its setting and style.

Archetype

An ancient symbol or idea that is understood universally.

Assonance

Repeating vowel sounds in a sentence or line.

Ballad

A poem telling a dramatic story, often sung; has a simple rhyme scheme.

Bildungsroman

A coming-of-age story about personal growth.

Blank Verse

Unrhymed poetry written in a regular meter.

Cadence

The rhythm and inflection in spoken or written text.

Caesura

A pause in the middle of a line of poetry.

Canto

A section of a long poem.

Caricature

A humorous drawing or description that exaggerates features.

Catharsis

The emotional release for the audience after a tragic event.

Character

A person or figure in a story.

Dynamic Character

A character who changes over time.

Flat Character

A one-dimensional character.

Round Character

A complex character that is well-developed.

Static Character

A character who doesn’t change.

Stock Character

A stereotypical character.

Characterization

How a writer reveals a character's traits.

Climax

The most intense moment in a story where the main conflict reaches its peak.

Colloquial Language

Informal language used in conversation.

Comedy

A story that ends happily and often includes humor.

Comedy of Manners

A humorous style that mocks social norms.

Conceit

An extended metaphor that makes a surprising comparison.

Connotation

The implied meaning of a word beyond its literal definition.

Consonance

Repeating consonant sounds in a phrase.

Couplet

Two lines of poetry that rhyme.

Denotation

The literal or dictionary definition of a word.

Denouement

The final resolution of a story after the climax.

Dialect

Language that reflects a specific region or culture.

Dialogue

Written conversation between characters.

Diction

Choice of words in speech or writing.

Dissonance

Harsh or unpleasant sounds in writing.

Dramatic Monologue

A poem where a character speaks to reveal their thoughts.

Elegy

A poem mourning the dead.

Enjambment

A line of poetry that continues into the next line without pause.

Epic Poem

A long poem about heroic deeds.

Epigram

A clever and witty statement.

Epigraph

A quote at the beginning of a literary work that sets the tone.

Epiphany

A moment of sudden realization.

Eulogy

A speech or writing in praise of someone who has died.

Euphemism

A nicer way of saying something unpleasant.

Exposition

The part of a story that introduces characters and setting.

Falling Action

Events after the climax that lead to resolution.

Farce

A comedic play with ridiculous situations.

Figurative Language

Language that uses figures of speech to be more imaginative.

Figure of Speech

A device that creates figurative language, like metaphors or similes.

Flashback

A scene that shows past events in a story.

Foil

A character that contrasts with another character.

Foot

The basic unit of rhythm in poetry.

Foreshadowing

Hinting at future events in a story.

Form

The structure and style of a literary work.

Frame Narrative

A story within another story.

Free Verse

Poetry without a specific rhyme or meter.

Genre

The category a literary work fits into.

Hero/Heroine

The main character in a story, typically good or noble.

Hubris

Excessive pride that leads to downfall.

Hyperbole

Extreme exaggeration for effect.

Iamb

A metrical foot with two syllables where the second is stressed.

Iambic Pentameter

A line of poetry with five iambs.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

In Medias Res

Starting a story in the middle of the action.

Inversion

Changing the usual word order for emphasis.

Irony

A twist in the story that goes against expectations.

Verbal Irony

Saying the opposite of what you mean.

Situational Irony

When the opposite of what is expected happens.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something that the characters do not.

Juxtaposition

Placing different things side by side for comparison.

Lyric

A short poem expressing personal feelings.

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two different things.

Extended Metaphor

A metaphor that continues throughout a work.

Metaphysical Conceit

An unusual comparison between two vastly different things.

Meter

The rhythmic structure of a poem.

Metonymy

Referring to something by a related word.

Mock Epic

A humorous work that imitates an epic poem.

Monologue

A long speech by one character.

Mood

The emotional feeling of a story.

Motif

A recurring element or theme in a story.

Narrative

The storytelling or account of events.

Narrative Frame

A structure where one story is placed within another.

Novella

A short novel.

Octet

A group of eight lines in a poem.

Ode

A poem praising something.

Onomatopoeia

Words that sound like what they mean.

Oxymoron

A phrase that combines contradictory terms.

Parable

A simple story meant to teach a lesson.

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a truth.