Literary Terms

Allegory A literary device where the setting, characters, or actions stand for or symbolize an idea or concept. Unlike a symbol an allegory only stands for one thing. Example-The Tortoise and the Hare – “Slow and Steady wins the race”

Allusion A reference in a literary work to a person, place, thing or passage in another literary work. Example: Reference to the bible in Romeo and Juliet

Alliteration The repetition of the same consonant sounds in a sequence of words. Usually at the beginning of the word. Example: Sally Sells Seashells at the Sea Shore.

Antagonist The character that opposes the protagonist (main character). Usually gives rise to the conflict of the story. Hint  Antagonize Example: Scar from the Lion King

Characterization How the author makes the character come “alive to the reader” Does this through thoughts, actions, appearance, reactions, etc.

Cliché An idea or expression that has become overused and lacks original thought. Example: An apple a day keeps the doctor away

A character whose behavior and values contrast with those of another character in order to highlight the behavior. Example: Beauty and the Beast Foil

Flashback A narrative technique that allows a writer to present past events during current events in order to give the reader more information. Hint  Back Example: Holden Caulfield

Genre Type of Literature Examples: Historical Fiction, Non Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, etc.

Imagery Descriptive or figurative language that helps the reader feel, smell, see, taste, touch, and hear what is going on in the story. Hint  Images Example: Poetry

Figure of speech in which the writer compares two things not using “like” or “as”. Example: Ms. Beyer has a heart of gold. Metaphor

Mood Emotions the author makes the reader feel through word choice, images, and rhyme. Examples: Suspenseful, Gloomy, Happy, etc.

Hyperbole A boldly exaggerated statement that adds emphasis to the statement without meaning it literally. Example: This test is going to take me all day.

Irony A contradiction between what you expect to happen and what actually happens.

Onomatopoeia A use of a word that resembles a sound.

Oxymoron A form of a paradox where two contradictory words are used together. Example: Big shrimp

A statement that initially appears to be contradictory but then on closer inspection appears to make sense. Example: The beginning of the end Paradox

Figure of speech in which human-like characteristics are given to in adamant objects. Example: The stars danced playfully through the night sky. Personification

Protagonist The main character. Usually the central character who engages the read’s interest and empathy. Example: Harry Potter

Satire Ridiculing (poking fun at) something usually an issue in order to expose it or correct it. Example: Political Cartoons

Setting The physical and social context in which the action of the story occurs. Example: Where, time, place

Simile Figure of speech comparing two things using “like” or “as”. Example: Her checks were as red as roses.

Symbolism Anything that stands for or represents something else but also has its own meaning.

Theme The central meaning or dominant idea in a literary work. Example: Don’t take things for granted