Literary Terms Flashcards
Allusion
An indirect reference
Antagonist
Opponent, enemy, foe or rival
Atmosphere
Pervading mood or tone of the place.
Climax
Highest tension in the story; turning point
Conflict
Different drives of the characters/ forces involved, may be internal or external.
Dramatic irony
When the audience is aware of something that the characters in the story are not aware of.
Dynamic character
Undergoes a change in the story, usually caused (or as a result) of the conflict.
Static character
Stays the same; outlook and personality does not change throughout the story.
Exposition
Introduce background info; beginning of the story
Flashback
Interjected scene where character goes back in time to a significant event in the past.
Foreshadowing
A hint or clue about in upcoming event
Imagery
Visual symbolism/ descriptive language that lets reader visualize the setting
Initial incident
The initial event that leads to rising action
Metaphor
A hidden comparison between two things without the use of “like” or “as”
Motif
A recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story
Motivation
A reason behind a character’s specific action or behaviour
Omniscient
Where the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of every character in the story
Parallelism
An arrangement of phrases, sentences, or words so that elements of equal importance are equally developed and similarly phrased
Plot
Used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of the story.
Point of view
Position or outlook on the narrator in relation to the story
Round character
Complex, realistic, three-dimensional.
Flat character
Few identifiable features, can be described in a few words
Satire
The use of humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to criticize people’s stupidity or vices.
Short story
A fully developed theme but significantly shorter and less elaborate than a novel.
