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.