Literary terms

irony

a figure of speech which uses words so that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words.

dramatic irony

the audience is more aware of what is happening than a character. In "Through the Window," the reader knows that the niece is lying.

verbal irony

a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning.

the use of words to mean something different than what they appear to mean

situational irony

occurs when the outcome of a work is unexpected, or events turn out to be the opposite from what one had expected; difference between what is expected to happen and what actually happens

conflict

a struggle between opposing forces, usually between a protagonist and antagonist

man versus man /person versus person

an external conflict; it is between two characters, two small groups, or two large groups

man versus nature

an external conflict; it is between a character and the forces of nature

man versus himself / herself

an Internal conflict; a character fights against his or her own conscience or moral beliefs

figurative language

Language that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling.

allusion

a short and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance; a passing comment ; the reader is supposed to know enough to recognize it and know what it means and why it is important

onomatopoeia

a word that represent the sound

hiss, meow, roar, buzz

simile

a comparison between two things using "like" or "as"

He looked as red as a lobster after being in the sun all day.

metaphor

an implied comparison between two things without using "like" or "as"

She was the apple of her father's eye.

personification

a figure of speech in which an idea, animal, or inanimate object is given human character traits

The wind whispered through the trees.

contrast

differences between two subjects, places, persons, things, or ideas; the writer usually emphasizes the differences

hyperbole

exaggeration; overstatement

old as a dinosaur

dumb as rocks

weighs a ton

plot

sequence of events in a work of literature; they make up the story

exposition

the beginning of the story, characters, setting, and conflict are introduced; background information

rising action

series of events that build up from the conflict to the climax; events begin to get complicated. It is during this part of a story that there is excitement, tension, or crisis

climax

the most exciting, main point of the plot; the turning point of the story; the reader wonders what will happen next

falling action

events after the climax that lead to the resolution

events and complications begin to resolve.

resolution

end of the story; conflict is resolved; the loose ends are tied up; can be happy or sad.

protagonist

main character, sometimes called the hero

antagonist

a character who opposes, goes against the protagonist