Literary Terms Flashcards
alliteration
when two or more words in a group of words begin with the same sound
antagonist
the opponent or enemy of the protagonist
aside
words spoken to the audience by a character in a drama that are not supposed to be heard by the other characters onstage
characterization
the means through which an author reveals a character’s personality- direct & indirect
climax
the point in a play, novel, short story, or narrative poem at which the conflict reaches its greatest intensity and is then resolved
conflict
a struggle between opposing forces- man, self, nature, society, technology
dialogue
the conversation between characters in a work of literature
dynamic character
a character who undergoes a significant internal change over the course of a story
figurative language
uses words in some way other than for their literal meanings to make a comparison, add emphasis, or say something in a fresh and creative way
foreshadowing
clues or hints about something that is going to happen later in the story
hyperbole
extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally
idiom
an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words
imagery
language that portrays sensory experiences, or experiences of the five senses
major character
a main or important character- plays a large role in a story
metaphor
the comparison of tow unlike things to illuminate a particular quality or aspect of one of those things
minor character
a character who does not play a large role in a story
mood
the feeling the reader gets from a work of literature- atmosphere
onomatopoeia
the use of words whose sounds imitate the sounds of what they describe- hiss, growl, buzz, woof
personification
describing nonhuman animals, objects, or ideas as though they possess human qualities or emotions
plot
the sequence of events in a story
point of view
the perspective from which a story is told- first-person, third-person limited, third-person omniscient
protagonist
the main or central character of a work of literature
setting
the environment in which a story takes place, including the time period
simile
when two unlike things are compared using like or as
static character
a character who does not undergo a significant change over the course of a story
symbol
an object, setting, event, animal or person that on one level is itself, but that has another meaning as well
symbolism
the practice of using symbols
theme
a story’s main message or moral
tone
the author’s attitude toward the subject matter or toward the reader or audience
