Lit Terms

Question 1

a group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem; a verse.

Answer 1

Stanza

Question 2

literature that describes imaginary events and people.

Answer 2

Fiction

Question 3

writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people, such as biography or history

Answer 3

Non-Fiction

Question 4

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one

Answer 4

Allegory

Question 5

an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference

Answer 5

Allusion

Question 6

is any book that contains unrealistic settings, or magic, often set in a medieval universe, or possibly involving mythical beings or supernatural forms as a primary element of the plot, theme, or setting

Answer 6

Fantasy

Question 7

The introductory material which gives the setting, creates the tone, presents the characters, and presents other facts necessary to understanding the story.

Answer 7

Exposition

Question 8

A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the inciting force and ends with the climax.

Answer 8

Rising Action

Question 9

The climax is the result of the crisis. It is the high point of the story for the reader. Frequently, it is the moment of the highest interest and greatest emotion. The point at which the outcome of the conflict can be predicted.

Answer 9

Climax

Question 10

The event or character that triggers the conflict.

Answer 10

Inciting Force

Question 11

The essence of fiction. It creates plot. The conflicts we encounter can usually be identified as one of four kinds. (Man versus…Man, Nature, Society, or Self)

Answer 11

Conflict

Question 12

The events after the climax which close the story.

Answer 12

Falling Action

Question 13

Rounds out and concludes the action.

Answer 13

Resolution

Question 14

The use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story.

Answer 14

Foreshadowing

Question 15

The conflict reaches a turning point. At this point the opposing forces in the story meet and the conflict becomes most intense. The crisis occurs before or at the same time as the climax.

Answer 15

Crisis

Question 16

They have good and bad qualities. Opposite to Flat Character.

Answer 16

Round Character or three-dimensional.

Question 17

They have only one quality and are of minor importance. Opposite to Round Character.

Answer 17

Flat Character

Question 18

grows or progresses to a higher level of understanding in the course of the story. Opposite to Static Character.

Answer 18

Dynamic Character

Question 19

or someone who stays the same. Opposite to Dynamic Character.

Answer 19

Static Character

Question 20

The main character in the story

Answer 20

Protagonist

Question 21

The character or force that opposes the protagonist.

Answer 21

Antagonist

Question 22

A character who provides a contrast to the protagonist.

Answer 22

Foil

Question 23

The narrator is a character in the story who can reveal only personal thoughts and feelings and what he or she sees and is told by other characters. He can’t tell us thoughts of other characters.

Answer 23

First Person

Question 24

The narrator is an outsider who can report only what he or she sees and hears. This narrator can tell us what is happening, but he can’t tell us the thoughts of the characters.

Answer 24

Third Person Objective

Question 25

The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of one of the characters.

Answer 25

Third Person Limited

Question 26

The narrator is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the minds of more than one of the characters.

Answer 26

Third Person Omniscient

Question 27

Conflict that pits one person against another.

Answer 27

Man vs Man

Question 28

A run-in with the forces of nature. On the one hand, it expresses the insignificance of a single human life in the cosmic scheme of things. On the other hand, it tests the limits of a person’s strength and will to live.

Answer 28

Man vs Nature

Question 29

The values and customs by which everyone else lives are being challenged. The character may come to an untimely end as a result of his or her own convictions. The character may, on the other hand, bring others around to a sympathetic point of view, or it may be decided that society was right after all.

Answer 29

Man vs Society

Question 30

Internal conflict. Not all conflict involves other people. Sometimes people are their own worst enemies. An internal conflict is a good test of a character’s values. Does he give in to temptation or rise above it? Does he demand the most from himself or settle for something less? Does he even bother to struggle? The internal conflicts of a character and how they are resolved are good clues to the character’s inner strength.

Answer 30

Man vs Self

Question 31

The contrast between what is said and what is actually meant.

Answer 31

Verbal Irony

Question 32

This refers to a happening that is the opposite of what is expected or intended.

Answer 32

Situational Irony

Question 33

This occurs when the audience or reader knows more than the characters know.

Answer 33

Dramatic Irony

Question 34

The author’s attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. Some possible attitudes are pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, and joyful. An author’s tone can be revealed through choice of words and details.

Answer 34

Tone

Question 35

The climate of feeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute towards creating a specific mood. For example, an author may create a mood of mystery around a character or setting but may treat that character or setting in an ironic, serious, or humorous tone

Answer 35

Mood

Question 36

A person, place or object which has a meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well. Things, characters and actions can be symbols. Anything that suggests a meaning beyond the obvious. Some symbols are conventional, generally meaning the same thing to all readers. For example: bright sunshine symbolizes goodness and water is a symbolic cleanser.

Answer 36

Symbolism

Question 37

The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. A theme may be stated or implied. Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves a statement or opinion about the topic. Not every literary work has a theme. Themes may be major or minor. A major theme is an idea the author returns to time and again. It becomes one of the most important ideas in the story. Minor themes are ideas that may appear from time to time. It is important to recognize the difference between the theme of a literary work and the subject of a literary work. The subject is the topic on which an author has chosen to write. The theme, however, makes some statement about or expresses some opinion on that topic. For example, the subject of a story might be war while the theme might be the idea that war is useless.

Answer 37

Theme

Question 38

Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of our senses.

Answer 38

Imagery

Question 39

A figure of speech which involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Example: The muscles on his brawny arms are strong as iron bands.

Answer 39

Simile

Question 40

A figure of speech which involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of be. The comparison is not announced by like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon of moonlight.

Answer 40

Metaphor

Question 41

Repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words. Alliteration is used to create melody, establish mood, call attention to important words, and point out similarities and contrasts. Example: wide-eyed and wondering while we wait for others to waken.

Answer 41

Allitertion

Question 42

A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. It is a comparison which the author uses to show something in an entirely new light, to communicate a certain feeling or attitude towards it and to control the way a reader perceives it. Example: a brave handsome brute fell with a creaking rending cry--the author is giving a tree human qualities.

Answer 42

Personification

Question 43

The use of words that mimic sounds. They appeal to our sense of hearing and they help bring a description to life. A string of syllables the author has made up to represent the way a sound really sounds. Example: Caarackle!

Answer 43

Onomatopoeia

Question 44

An exaggerated statement used to heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: She’s said so on several million occasions

Answer 44

Hyperbole

Question 45

a short story, usually serving to make the listeners laugh or ponder over a topic. Generally, the anecdote will relate to the subject matter that the group of people is discussing.

Answer 45

Anecdote