Literary Terms

Question 1

Character

Answer 1

The physical, mental, moral and temperamental qualities of the
persons in the story.

Question 2

Setting

Answer 2

The time, place, and circumstance of the story.

Question 3

Plot

Answer 3

The plan, story pattern and course of action: a series of related incidents
outlining the protagonist’s conflict.

Question 4

Foreshadowing

Answer 4

A hint or indication in a story of something that is going to happen. To
foretell.

Question 5

Foreboding

Answer 5

The expectation of Evil or troublesome

Question 6

Irony of situation

Answer 6

Occurs when the outcome of events is opposite to that expected or desired
by the characters in the story.

Question 7

Verbal irony

Answer 7

Can a character says one thing and means the opposite

Question 8

Dramatic irony

Answer 8

When the audience knows more about the characters situation than they do

Question 9

Theme

Answer 9

The lesson or revelation conveyed to the reader

Question 10

Conflict

Answer 10

The struggle, antagonism or opposition of forces.

Question 11

Atmosphere

Answer 11

The feeling or mood created in a piece of literature and experienced
by its readers.

Question 12

Mood

Answer 12

The feeling expressed by the readers

Question 13

Suspense

Answer 13

The expectation, anxiousness or uncertainty regarding the outcome of
events.

Question 14

Contrast

Answer 14

The use of scenes, characters, settings and actions to emphasize
opposite scenes, characters, settings and actions

Question 15

Foil

Answer 15

Contrasting characters

Question 16

Point of View (POV)

Answer 16

Who is telling the story?

Question 17

Symbolism

Answer 17

When objects or actions represent an idea / possess meaning.
Ex. The wedding ring symbolises union, love, commitment.

Question 18

Imagery

Answer 18

The use of language in a literary work that evokes sense – impressions
or figurative references to perceptible or concrete objects, scenes,
actions or states.

Question 19

Pathos

Answer 19

The feeling of pity and sorrow

Question 20

Sympathy

Answer 20

ellow feeling – Feeling along with the mental state and emotions of
another human being IE: I feel bad for my best friend because his dog died

Question 21

Empathy

Answer 21

Identification with the feelings of another human being IE: I know how my
my best friend feels because my dog died as well.

Question 22

Microcosm

Answer 22

Something very small and self-contained that presents all the qualities,
activities…of something larger IE: An aquarium is a microcosm of the
ocean.

Question 23

Catharsis

Answer 23

A symbolic cleansing of a character by means of the plot. The character
is seemingly broken, and then is reborn or transformed into a new
person.

Question 24

Allusions

Answer 24

An indirect or passing reference to some event, person place or artistic
work. The nature and relevance is not explained by the writer relying
on the reader’s familiarity with what is thus mentioned.

Question 25

Pathetic Fallacy

Answer 25

Occurs when the physical aspects of the play / work, such as weather
conditions and geography, parallel the emotions of the characters and
events / actions of the plot.
Ex. hot, humid weather = anger, frustration, physical violence, Rain = sadness, anger

Question 26

Flashback

Answer 26

When events in a story are related at a point in the narrative after later story
events have already been recounted. The story shifts to the past and we
view it along with the character

Question 27

Comic Relief

Answer 27

The introduction of comic characters, speeches or scenes in a serious
tragic work. Comic Relief is used to lighten the mood and offer some
relief to the audience before a tragic scene.

Question 28

Soilioquy

Answer 28

A dramatic device in which a character speaks his thoughts and is not
heard by another character in the play. The purpose is to inform the
audience of the character’s true feelings and intentions.

Question 29

Aside

Answer 29

A few words spoken or in an undertone so as to be inaudible to
some characters on stage.

Question 30

Genre

Answer 30

Type or classification of literature, film… IE: Comedy, satire, biography,
horror, adventure, romance….

Question 31

Hyperbole

Answer 31

An exaggeration for the sake of emphasis in a figure of speech. IE: I’ve
been waiting here forever.

Question 32

Tone

Answer 32

The mood or atmosphere of a work. Shows the author’s attitude toward
the subject matter – IE Angry, sarcastic…

Question 33

Similie

Answer 33

A comparison using “like” or “as” IE: Your hair smells like a beautiful
flower

Question 34

Metaphor

Answer 34

A comparison without using the words “like” or “as”. Your hair is a
beautiful flowers.

Question 35

Pun

Answer 35

An expression with two distinct meanings. IE “Look for me tomorrow
and you shall find me a grave man” Grave = in serious condition and
dead buried in a grave.

Question 36

Personification

Answer 36

When human traits are given to inanimate objects or animals. IE: “The
sun is smiling”

Question 37

Onomatopoeia

Answer 37

Draws attention to the sound of a word by imitating or suggesting
sounds that correspond to its meaning. IE: Buzz, Splash, Slurp…

Question 38

Oxymoron

Answer 38

When opposite words are placed side by side to create a new meaning.
IE: jumbo shrimp, wise fool, bittersweet…

Question 39

Alliteration

Answer 39

The repetition of the same sounds – usually the initial consonants of words.
IE: “He rambled, raged and roared.”

Question 40

Cliche

Answer 40

A phrase that has lost its effectiveness due to overuse. IE: “avoid it like the
plague” “bright and early”, “it goes without saying”, “last but not least”, at
the end of the day”…

Question 41

Paradox

Answer 41

A statement or expression so surprisingly self-contradictory as to provoke us
into seeing another sense or context in which it would be true. IE: “The child
is the father of the man”, “Fair is foul and foul is fair”