Literary Terms Flashcards
A work’s main idea or insights, the author’s insights about life, society, or human nature
Theme
The time or location in which a story takes place
Setting
Tangible objects, visible actions, or characters that hint at a meaning beyond themselves
Symbols
The description of a character’s physical appearance or personality
Characterization
The author’s attitude toward a character, situation, or institution
Tone
The feeling evoked in readers by a work
Mood
Visually descriptive or figurative language
Imagery
A vague indication/hint at future events
Foreshadowing
The narrative perspective of a story
1st person, 2nd person, or 3rd person
Point of view
A recurring element that holds symbolic significance, and also contributes to the development of theme
Motif
Word choice in a text
Diction
A story that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one
Allegory
A reference to something without explicitly expressing it
Allusion
A gross exaggeration
Hyperbole
A word which directly indicates a sound
Onomatopoeia
