7th_grade_literary_terms Flashcards
Typical Literary Terms
Term
Definition
Simile
A comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
Metaphor
A direct comparison between two unlike things.
Personification
Giving human traits to non-human things.
Alliteration
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words.
Onomatopoeia
A word that imitates the sound it represents.
Hyperbole
An exaggerated statement used for effect.
Foreshadowing
Hints or clues suggesting what will happen later in a story.
Irony
A contrast between expectation and reality.
Theme
The central idea or message in a literary work.
Tone
The writer’s attitude toward the subject.
Mood
The overall feeling or atmosphere of a story.
Plot
The sequence of events in a story.
Characterization
The way a writer reveals the personality of a character.
Conflict
A struggle between opposing forces in a story.
Setting
The time and place in which a story occurs.
Protagonist
The main character in a story, often a hero.
Antagonist
A character or force in conflict with the protagonist.
Narrator
The voice telling the story.
Dialogue
A conversation between characters in a literary work.
Symbolism
The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
