Literary Terms

Literature

written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit

Fiction

imaginary writing: prose that describes imaginary events. It may be based on historical events, but the characters are not real: Short stories, plays, novels, narrative poetry

Non-Fiction

factual writing – prose writing based on real people and events, such as articles, essays, opinion, history

Narrative

a story of any kind

Novel Description

a longer piece of fiction in which fictitious characters and actions similar to those of real life are portrayed; a novel is complex, has a number of characters, may have more than one plotline, setting and theme

Short Story

a work of fiction that can usually be read in one sitting;
it usually explores a theme, has few characters, has one main plot, has a clear setting and a central problem or conflict

Main Elements of a Short Story

setting, plot, character, theme

Secondary Elements of a Short Story

atmosphere, narrative method (point of view), conflict

Setting

the time and place of the action of the narrative - a general era or year/location

Plot

the sequence of actions and events in a narrative - what happens!
plot involves a conflict which drives the plot and builds to a climax

Subplot

a secondary plot in a novel – a minor conflict that emphasizes the main plot - it usually connects with the main plot, often at the climax

Introduction (Exposition)

introduces characters, background and situation

Rising Action

events that lead toward the climax, including the crises the characters face

Climax

the highest point of interest or emotional intensity; the turning point

Falling Action (Dénouement)

the events that lead to the conclusion

Conclusion

the winding up of the plot

Theme

the underlying idea or message in a piece of literature on the human condition; it says something about life

Style

the way an author writes; the sentence structure, choice of words, imagery used, dialogue, descriptions and the rhythm of the work

Crisis

a turning point in the plot that has a powerful effect on the protagonist

Conflict

the struggle between two opposing forces/ the problem faced by the main character

Person vs. Person

a person in conflict with another person

Person vs. Nature

a person in conflict with nature (trees, water, natural disasters, etc.)

Person vs. Self

a person in conflict with themselves

Person vs. Society

a person in conflict with the established society

Person vs. Technology

a person in conflict with technology and/or technological advances

Person vs. Supernatural

a person in conflict with a supernatural force/non-human entity (aliens, ghosts, vampires, etc.)

Character

the people (or creatures) who take part in the action of a narrative
the term also means how the author portrays the characters

Characterization

-how the author creates the characters; the author may tell you directly or you may need to make inferences
- by what the character says and thinks
- by how the character behaves
- by what other characters say about him/her and react to him/her

Character Traits

the qualities a character possesses - not the emotions they feel
examples: a character may be honest, stubborn, good-natured, courageous; impulsive

Protagonist

the main character; the hero; the main character of a story. The story is often told from his or her perspective and the reader often gets to know this character’s thoughts the best. This character appears in most scenes. This character is not always “good”

Antagonist

the main character's opponent; the villain; The character or force who opposes the protagonist. This person is not always “bad”

Major Characters

usually one or two characters who take part in the main action and are well rounded

Minor Characters

secondary characters who may be important to the movement of the plot or they may reveal information about or to the main characters

Stereotype

a character that represents a type of person - an undeveloped character like the wicked stepmother, the aggressive bully; this character is usually flat

Character Development

usually the main character- develop through their experiences, may become more mature, reach an understanding, learn a lesson, become a better or wiser person

Character Sketch

a descriptive piece of writing that explains a character’s personality. Physical traits can be mentioned, but are not the focus of the description. For each trait given, an example is needed to support it

Round Character

a character that is well described and has many traits

Flat Character

a character that has only one trait, very little is known about them

Dynamic Character

a character who changes as a result of the events of the story

Static Character

a character who does not change throughout the story

Point of View

refers to the vantage point from which the story is told (first person, third person, third person limited or third person omniscient)

First Person

the story is narrated from one person’s point of view. The character uses words such as “I”, “me”, and “us”. The narrator is a character in the story. We learn the narrator’s thoughts, which may be biased.

Third Person Limited

a third-person point of view can be limited-meaning the narrator "follows" one character and we see everything that is happening near that character (fly on the wall)

Third Person Omniscient

the third-person point of view can be omniscient-we know what all characters in the story are doing and thinking.

Alliteration

when the same sound is repeated at the start of two or more words. Example: thundering thorns , “men who moil for gold”

Anecdote

an account (a telling) of an interesting or amusing incident

Atmosphere

the mood or feeling of a narrative

Autobiography

a story of one's life written by one's self

Biography

the story of someone's life told by someone else

Dialogue

a conversation between characters in a narrative

Flashback

an interruption of the plot to introduce events that happened earlier. The character in the present remembers past events or the author goes to an event from the past. This flashback is used to help understand events in the present

Foreshadowing

a hint of events to come; a subtle clue that brings the reader’s attention to what is ahead.

Genre

a type of literary work: e.g. à science fiction, adventure, literary fiction

Hyperbole

an exaggerated statement that's not meant to be taken literally by the reader. It is often used for comedic effect and/or emphasis.

Imagery

When an author describes a scene, thing, or idea so that it appeals to our senses (taste, smell, sight, touch, or hearing). This device is often used to help the reader clearly visualise parts of the story by creating a strong mental picture.

Irony

when a statement is used to express an opposite meaning than the one literally expressed by it. Often humorous or dark in nature. (See below for enriched details)

Metaphor

a comparison, stated or implied, that does not use "like" or "as"

Mood

what the audience is supposed to feel when reading a piece of literature

Personification

when something not human is described as having human-like qualities or characteristics; the object/figure is described as being human-like

Poetry

creative writing that does not follow the rules of grammar. It may or may not rhyme

Prose

any form of writing which isn't poetry – prose follows the rule of grammar

Repetition

when a word or phrase is written multiple times, usually for the purpose of emphasis. It is often used in poetry (for purposes of rhythm as well)

Simile

a comparison in prose or poetry that begins with 'like' or 'as'

Symbol

an object that an author uses to represent something important

Symbolism

the use of an object, figure, event, situation, or other idea in a written work to represent something else—typically a deeper meaning that differs from its literal meaning.

Suspense

uncertainty the reader feels about what will happen; a feeling of tension

Twist Ending

an unexpected turn of events at the end of a narrative

Cliffhanger

An ending that is unclear – the author has left it up to the reader