Conflict	The colliding or clashing of thoughts, feelings, actions, or persons: the problems or complications in the story. All stories have conflicts.
Connotation	All the emotions or feelings a word can arouse, such as the positive or good feeling associated with the word love.
Contrast	The process of pointing out differences between things.
Dialect	A form of language that is spoken in a particular place or by a particular group of people.
Dialogue	Consists of the conversations characters have with one another. Dialogue has two main functions: 1) It tells a lot about the characters’ personalities. 2) It moves the plot, or action, along.
Diction	An author's choice of words based on their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. Archaic words are those that are old fashioned and no longer sound natural when used. Example: "I believe thee not.” Colloquialism: An expression that is usually accepted in informal situations and certain locations. Example: "He really grinds my beans.” Jargon: Specialized language used by a specific group, such as those who use computers. Example: override, interface, and download. Profanity: Language that shows disrespect for someone or something regarded as holy or sacred. Slang: The informal language used by a particular group of people among themselves. It is also used in fiction to lend color and feelings. Example: awesome, chill, no way - way. Vulgarity: Language that is generally considered crude, gross, and, at times, offensive.
Drama	The form of literature known as plays; but drama also refers to the type of serious play that is often concerned with the leading character’s relationship to society rather than with some tragic flaw within his personality.
Dramatic monologue	A literary work (or a part of a literary work) in which a character is speaking about him or herself as if another person were present. The words of the speaker reveal something important about his or her character.
Dynamic character	A character who undergoes adaptation, change, or growth, for example, Jem in To Kill a Mockingbird or Oedipus in Oedipus Rex
Epitaph	A short poem or verse written in memory of someone.
Exaggeration	An extreme overstatement of an idea. It is often used for purposes of emphasis or humor.
Exposition	The beginning of the story where: The audience usually meets the characters. The time and place (setting) are told. The conflict (the problem in the story that needs to be solved) is introduced. This portion helps the reader understand the background or situation in which the story is set.
Falling action	All that happens after the climax. This is the action which works out the decision arrived at during the climax. The resolution (denouement) follows.
Fiction	Prose writing that tells an imaginary story. The writer of a fictional work might invent all the events and characters in it or might base parts of the story on real people or events.
Figurative language	Writers use figurative language – expressions that are not literally true – to create original descriptions.

Academic Literary Terms #2