Post on 12-Jan-2016
Literary Terms
By: Jessica Bilimek
Flashback
• Returning to an earlier time in a story for the purpose of making something clearer in the present.
• Example: “ Four years ago I went to Six Flags.”
Mood
• How the writing makes the reader feel (happy, sad, upset)
• Example: She was shocked to see a panda bear in her backyard.
Character
• The person or animal around which the action in a story occurs.
• Example: Scooby Doo is an awesome cartoon character.
Opinion
• A statement that requires a value judgment; it is what someone thinks or believes.
• Example: He thinks that lollipops are nasty.
Setting
• The time and place in which the action of a story occurs.
• Example: Chealsea’s party will be at the park.
Attitude
• The feelings of a character as reflected in the selection.
• Example: She got sassy when her teacher told her she was in trouble.
Simile
• A figurative comparison that uses “like” or “as”.
• Example: She was as fat as a pumpkin.
Conflict
• The problem or complication in a story.
• Example: The kid beat up the cat.
Entertain
• To use writing to amuse a reader.
• Example: The reader was amused when he read Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Fact
• A statement that is true or can be proven.
• Example: Texas is a state in the United States.
Persuade
• To use writing to convince a reader to accept an author’s viewpoint or perspective.
• Example: The sun drop commercial was very persuasive.
Theme
• A statement about life that a particular selection is trying to get across to the reader.
• Example: The theme of the party was penguins.