Literary elements Flashcards
Tone
The attitude of the writer towards his, her or their subject
POV
The author’s choice of narrator
Stereotype
The use of a conventional character or plot which expresses no individuality
Characterization
The technique that a writer uses to create and reveal the appearance and personalities of the character in a written work
Climax
The high point in the action or the turning point in the plot.
Dialogue
A conversation between two or more characters
Mood
The atmosphere and feeling that a writer creates in a work through the choice of setting, imagery, details and descriptions
Illusion
A reference to a historical or literary figure or event
Simile
A figure of speech involving a direct comparison using like or as
3rd person Limited
The narrator is an outsider whose perceptions are confined to the thoughts of only one or two characters
Metaphor
A figure of speech that implies comparison between two different things without using like or as
Dramatic irony
When the reader knows something the other characters don’t
Antagonist
The adversary who opposes the main charecter
Satire
When an author pokes fun at some element in society
Characters
The people, animals or figures in a story
3rd Person Objective
The narrator is an outsider who can report only what he/she/they see and hear
Situational Irony
This occurs when the opposite of what we expect to happen, happens
Foreshadowing
the technique of giving the reader of a story hints of what is to come
1st person
The narrator “I” is a character in the story who can reveal only their own thoughts and feelings
Figurative language
The use of words outside of their literal or usual meaning
Plot
A series of related events that present and resolve a conflict
Verbal Irony
A contrast between what is said and what is meant
Personification
A figure of speech in which human characteristics are given to non human things
Setting
The time and place in which the story is taking place
3rd Person Ammonition
The narrator is an all knowing outsider who can enter the minds of one or all characters
Imagery
The use of concrete details that appeal to the five senses; specific images establish mood and trigger a readers emotions
Hyperbole
An exaggeration