Literary Terms

Question 1

simile

Answer 1

compares two things using “like” or “as”

Question 2

metaphor

Answer 2

compares two things WITHOUT using “like” or “as”

Question 3

symbol

Answer 3

an object that represents an idea

Question 4

foreshadowing

Answer 4

hints at coming events

Question 5

dialogue

Answer 5

conversation between two or more characters (“)

Question 6

plot

Answer 6

the sequence of ALL events in a story

Question 7

exposition

Answer 7

background information presented at the BEGINNING of a story (usually reveals setting, characters, and a hint of the conflict)

Question 8

setting

Answer 8

time and place of a story

Question 9

conflict

Answer 9

struggle between opposing forces (person vs. person,
person vs. self,
person vs. society,
and person vs. nature)

Question 10

rising action

Answer 10

series of events that builds the conflict and ends with the climax

Question 11

climax

Answer 11

most exciting moment of the story, turning point

Question 12

falling action

Answer 12

events AFTER the climax, leading to the resolution

Question 13

resolution

Answer 13

solution to the conflict, end of the story but isn’t always a “happily ever after”

Question 14

mood

Answer 14

how the READER FEELS about the text or story

Question 15

protagonist

Answer 15

main character

Question 16

characterization

Answer 16

A method an author uses to let readers know more about the characters and their personal traits (can be actions, thoughts, or words)

Question 17

theme

Answer 17

Central idea of a work of literature (a universal LESSON LEARNED)

Question 18

inference

Answer 18

A conclusion based on prior knowledge and experience