Literary Terms

Question 1

Characterization

Answer 1

the method in which the author develops a character.

Question 2

Setting

Answer 2

the time and place in which a story takes place

Question 3

Plot

Answer 3

the series of events that make up a story

Question 4

narrative

Answer 4

a story that is written or told

Question 5

exposition

Answer 5

the beginning of a story that reveals basic background information, setting, and characters

Question 6

rising action

Answer 6

the conflicts leading up to the climax

Question 7

climax

Answer 7

the turning point of a story, usually the most dramatic and action-packed

Question 8

falling action

Answer 8

the events that occur as a result of the climax

Question 9

resolution

Answer 9

the end of the story, conflicts are often resolved

Question 10

theme

Answer 10

the main moral or life lesson of a piece of literature.

Question 11

Internal Conflict

Answer 11

A problem/decision within the own characters’ mind, a personal conflict

Question 12

External Conlict

Answer 12

a problem a character faces with an outside force

Question 13

Situational Irony

Answer 13

When something other than what is EXPECTED to happen, happens (think “The Necklace”)

Question 14

Verbal Irony

Answer 14

When a character says something, but means something else (think Montresor saying he’s worried about Fortunato’s health)

Question 15

Dramatic Irony

Answer 15

when a character or the audience knows more than another character in the story.

Question 16

Symbolism

Answer 16

When an object stands for something greater than itself, usually an idea.

Question 17

First Person Point of View

Answer 17

the narrator is part of the story and uses personal pronouns (think Young from Shattering Glass)

Question 18

Third Person Omniscient

Answer 18

the narrator is not part of the story, the all-knowing voice (think Of Mice and Men)

Question 19

Imagery

Answer 19

words or phrases that appeal to the 5 senses to create an experience for the reader (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch)

Question 20

Allusion

Answer 20

A reference to another piece of literature, art, music, or historical event (think Of Mice and Men- an allusion to “To a Mouse”by Robert Burns)

Question 21

Simile

Answer 21

the method of comparing something by saying it is “like” or “as” another thing (my bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep)

Question 22

Metaphor

Answer 22

a word or phrased used to refer to something else to suggest that they are similar. (Juliet is the sun.)

Question 23

Alliteration

Answer 23

the repetition of consonant sounds (blue baby bottle)

Question 24

Personification

Answer 24

a literary device in which an author gives human characteristics to an inanimate object (Death is my son-in-law)

Question 25

Onomatopoeia

Answer 25

A word that is created based on the sound it imitates (meow, crack, smash, boom)

Question 26

Hyperbole

Answer 26

a literary device in which an author uses an extreme exaggeration (this book weighs a ton)

Question 27

Foreshadow

Answer 27

to hint at events that are to come later

Question 28

Repetition

Answer 28

the repeating of a word or phrase to provide emphasis

Question 29

Antithesis

Answer 29

the contrast of ideas by parallel arrangement of words