Alliteration
Repetition of consonant sounds to create rhythm and aid memory
Allusion
A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art
Antagonist
a person who actively opposes the protagonist or the hero/heroine in the story
Characterization
the creation of imaginary persons so that they seem lifelike
Cliche
a word or phrase that is so overused that it is no longer effective in most writing situations
Climax
the turning point of the story
Conflict
A struggle between opposing forces
Conflict
Person vs. Person, Person vs. Society, Person vs. Nature, Person vs. Self, Person vs. Fate, Person vs. Technology
Connotation
All the meanings, associations, or emotions that a word suggests
Denouement/Resolution
The conclusion or resolution of a story; French for "unraveling;" Stories are unraveled, conflicts are solved, questions raised by plot are answered
empathy
an understanding of another's feelings. You put yourself in someone else's place and imagine how that person must feel
Exposition
The introductory or background information on setting, characters, and plot
falling action
the part of a literary plot that occurs after the climax has been reached, finishes all the loose ends
Flashback
A scene that interrupts the normal chronological sequence of events in a story to depict something that happened at an earlier time. Insertion of a scene that took place in the past.
Foreshadowing
A narrative device that hints at coming events; often builds suspense or anxiety in the reader.
Hyperbole
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally, Overstatement for emphasis
Imagery
Description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)
dramatic irony
when a reader is aware of something that a character isn't
verbal irony
when what is said is the opposite of what is meant, such as in sarcasm
situational irony
A situation or event that is the opposite of what is or might be expected
Metaphor
A comparison without using like or as, a comparison of two dissimilar things. Uses a being verb, NOT like or as.
Mood
How the reader feels about the text while reading.
Motif
A recurring theme, subject or idea
Onomatopoeia
A word that imitates the sound it represents.
Personification
the giving of human qualities to an animal, object, or idea
point of view
From whose angle the story is being told (first, second, third_
Protagonist
Main character in a story
Pun
A word or phrase that has a double meaning as intended by the writer
Repetition
Repeated use of sounds, words, or ideas for effect and emphasis
Resolution
Portion of the writing where the problem is solved/finished
rhetorical question
A question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer
rising action
the series of conflicts or struggles that build a story toward a climax.
Satire
the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
Setting
The time and place of a story
Simile
A comparison using "like" or "as"
stereotype
This is a pattern or form which does not change, applied to oversimplified judgments
Symbolism
the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, something that stands for something larger than itself
Theme
Central idea of a work of literature
Tone
Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character
Rhyme
Creating a beat or rhythm with words to affect tone, mood, characterization, theme and more. This can be done internally or at the end of lines/sentences
Soliloquy
A long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage
Oxymoron
A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.
malapropism
a word humorously misused
Juxtaposition
placing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast
epilogue
short concluding section in a literary work
Prologue
a separate introductory section of a literary work
Epigraph
the use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme
Allegory
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
Tone - Definition
The author's attitude towards the subject.
Tone - Examples
Amused, bitter, optimistic, horrified, sarcastic, content.
Mood - Definition
The emotions a work of literature evokes in the reader (sometimes referred to as atmosphere).
Mood - Examples
Gloomy, happy, calm, frightful, anxious.
Theme - Definition
-Overall message of a work, often about life or human nature.
-Is usually inferred by the reader rather than directly stated, but can be backed up with textual evidence.
Theme - Examples
Guilt can be paralyzing or motivating. 2. People risk their own identity to find love. 3. Without empathy, there can be no justice.
Motif - Definition
A recurring element, often symbolic, in a text.
Motif - Examples
language, light/dark, silence.
Irony - Definition
Overall, a difference between appearance or expectation and reality.
Situational Irony - Definition
When something happens that is incongruous with expectations (in other words, something happens contrary to the expected and/or predicted outcome).
Situation Irony - Example
You expect a tiger to chase a cat, but you don't expect to see a cat chasing a tiger. It is not just something funny happening. You predict something and get the complete opposite.
Dramatic Irony - Definition
When the reader knows crucial information that a character does not know.
Dramatic Irony - Example
In a scary movie, the character goes into a house they think is empty, but the audience knows the killer is in the house.
Verbal Irony - Definition
When someone says the opposite of what they mean.
Verbal Irony - Example
When it is raining outside and gloomy and the person says "What great weather" but obviously doesn't meant it. It can include sarcasm.
Symbolism - Definition
Something that stands for something larger than itself.
Symbolism - Examples
Rose in Beauty and the Beast represents love and time. 2. Darkness symbolizes evil, fear, or death.
decapitation
to cut off the head of; to behead
aggrandizement
to increase in rank or wealth; growth in power
grandiloquence
(n.) lofty, pompous language (The student thought her grandiloquence would make her sound smart, but neither the class nor the teacher bought it.)
purge
to wash away impurities, clean up
dissension
A difference of opinion; disagreement
grandiose
absurdly exaggerated
mutant
An organism genetically different from its parent
eligible
qualified for or allowed or worthy of being chosen
Animosty
strong dislike; bitter hostility
phlegmatic
calm; sluggish; unemotional
devious
dishonest or deceptive; tricky
gregarious
sociable, outgoing
Jurisdiction
the official power to make legal decisions and judgments.
capital
money for investment
segregation
Separation of people based on racial, ethnic, or other differences
recapitulate
to summarize
via
road, way
limbo
place or state of neglect; period awaiting change; in-between state
purgatory
A place of temporary punishment
mutable
open to or capable of change, fickle
tenuous
flimsy; not solid
assent
agreement
congregate
to gather together
pusillanimous
cowardly
presentiment
a vague sense of approaching misfortune
extenuating
partially excusing or justifying
arrogance
overbearing pride; a lack of regard for others
triumvirate
A group of three rulers
octoroon
person of one-eighth black ancestry
trivial
of little value or importance
nonagenarian
person in his nineties
quadrille
square dance
sextuplets
six offspring born at once
unanimous
in complete agreement