Literary Terms Flashcards
Hyperbole
Exaggeration of the size, amount, or awesomeness of something
Hubris
Over weaning pride
Paradox
An apparent contradiction that, on second thought, illuminates a truth
Thesis
The point of the essay.
Tragic Flaw
A flaw in character that leads to his/her downfall
Protaganist
Main Character of the story, or who the story is about
Antagonist
The character that opposes the protagonist
Setting
Where/when the story takes place
Also can serve as a symbol and a character
Theme
Meaning of a story
Subject
What the story is about
First Person
In the story, indicated by an I
Third Person Limited
Narrator outside of the story, but has limited information
Third Person Omniscience
Narrator outside of the story and is all knowing!!
Exposition
Beginning of the story, leading up to the initial conflict
Allegory
A story or poem that has a hidden meaning
Allusion
A brief mention that calls a character, event, or idea to the reader’s mind
Plot
The chain of events in fiction or drama
Rising Action
The plot leading up to the conflict
Climax
The height and turning point of the story where the conflict is solved
Denouement
another name for the resolution of a story
Static Character
a character who undergoes very little or no change opposite to a dynamic character
Dynamic Character
a character that undergoes dramatic change in a story
Flat Character
A character that is one dimensional
Round Character
Multidimensional and the audience gets to know on several levels
Irony
A funny reversal of expectations
Dramatic Irony
Where the audience or reader know something that the character does know of
Verbal Irony
Meaning the opposite of what is being said
Socratic Irony
Using manipulative tactics to gain something by force
Sarcasm
Tone of voice that is insincere
Pun
Something that is punny
Making a allusion to something that sounds the same
Foreshowding
A warning or indication of future events
Epiphany
A moment in which the character undergoes huge dramatic change
Symbol
Something that represents something greater than itself
Chorus
A group of persons that sing or speak in a drama or poetry
