Literary Terms

Question 1

Allusion

Answer 1

An indirect reference

Question 2

Antagonist

Answer 2

Opponent, enemy, foe or rival

Question 3

Atmosphere

Answer 3

Pervading mood or tone of the place.

Question 4

Climax

Answer 4

Highest tension in the story; turning point

Question 5

Conflict

Answer 5

Different drives of the characters/ forces involved, may be internal or external.

Question 6

Dramatic irony

Answer 6

When the audience is aware of something that the characters in the story are not aware of.

Question 7

Dynamic character

Answer 7

Undergoes a change in the story, usually caused (or as a result) of the conflict.

Question 8

Static character

Answer 8

Stays the same; outlook and personality does not change throughout the story.

Question 9

Exposition

Answer 9

Introduce background info; beginning of the story

Question 10

Flashback

Answer 10

Interjected scene where character goes back in time to a significant event in the past.

Question 11

Foreshadowing

Answer 11

A hint or clue about in upcoming event

Question 12

Imagery

Answer 12

Visual symbolism/ descriptive language that lets reader visualize the setting

Question 13

Initial incident

Answer 13

The initial event that leads to rising action

Question 14

Metaphor

Answer 14

A hidden comparison between two things without the use of “like” or “as”

Question 15

Motif

Answer 15

A recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story

Question 16

Motivation

Answer 16

A reason behind a character’s specific action or behaviour

Question 17

Omniscient

Answer 17

Where the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of every character in the story

Question 18

Parallelism

Answer 18

An arrangement of phrases, sentences, or words so that elements of equal importance are equally developed and similarly phrased

Question 19

Plot

Answer 19

Used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of the story.

Question 20

Point of view

Answer 20

Position or outlook on the narrator in relation to the story

Question 21

Round character

Answer 21

Complex, realistic, three-dimensional.

Question 22

Flat character

Answer 22

Few identifiable features, can be described in a few words

Question 23

Satire

Answer 23

The use of humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to criticize people’s stupidity or vices.

Question 24

Short story

Answer 24

A fully developed theme but significantly shorter and less elaborate than a novel.

Question 25

Situational irony

Answer 25

When the outcome of the story is not what was expected to be.

Question 26

Symbolism

Answer 26

The use of symbols to express ideas and emotions.

Question 27

Theme

Answer 27

A topic, the main meaning of a story.

Question 28

Verbal irony

Answer 28

When a person says one thing and means another.