Literary Terms

Setting Time and place in which action is set

Conflict Problem or struggle in the story

Man vs. Man Man vs. Self Man vs. Society Man vs. Nature Man vs. Supernatural

Point of View The vantage point from which the story is

told. 1st

3rd limited 3rd omniscient

Round Character Character with is given multiple sides;

complex

Dynamic Character Dynamic characters that experience

changes throughout the plot of a story. Although the change may be sudden, it is expected based on the story’s events.

Static Character Static characters that do not experience

basic character changes during the course of the story.

Flat Character Character which has only one dimension

Foil Someone who serves as a contrast or

challenge to another character

Alter Ego Someone who serves as an ally to another

character

Mood The feeling the text arouses in the reader

Foreshadowing Author gives hints or clues of what is to

come later.

Flashback when an earlier event is inserted into the

normal chronological order of a narrative

Imagery The use of sensory words to create a certain

picture in the reader’s mind.

Irony The three different types of irony are:

Dramatic- reader or audience sees the character’s mistakes

Verbal- the writer says one thing and means another

Situational- great difference between the purpose of an action and its outcome.

Motif Often repeated theme or idea

Juxtaposition Putting two elements side by side for

comparison or contrast (characters, settings)

Paradox A seemingly true statement that upon closer

inspection contradicts itself (He passed himself) (Grandfather Paradox)

Symbol Something concrete that stands for

something abstract.

Theme the central topic, subject, or concept the

author is trying to point out

Tone Overall feeling created by the writer. (tone is

used to create mood)

Allusion A reference to a familiar person, place,

thing, or event. Historical Literary Biblical

Exposition Writing that is intended to explain

something that might otherwise be difficult to understand.

Parts of a Plot Diagram Exposition

Complicating Incident

Rising Action

Falling Action

Climax

Conclusion, Resolution, Denoument

Figurative LanguageThe main examples of figurative language are:

Hyperbole- exaggeration

Metaphor- direct comparison

Personification- human characteristics to inhuman items

Simile- comparison using “like” or “as”

Style How the author uses sentence construction,

diction, voice to voice his ideas. (think of clothing style)

Repetition The act or process or an instance of

repeating or being repeated.