Literary Terminology Grade 9 Term Review

Allusion

A reference to a statement, person, place, event or thing that is known from another piece of lit, history, etc.

Analogy

analogy A parallel story used as an example

antagonist

Force or character versus the main character

Characterization Direct Indirect

Characterization The way the author creates and reveals the character.

Direct and Indirect Characterization Direct—author gives character traits, tells reader what to think, etc. Indirect—author gives the character through appearance, dialogue, actions and thought

Climax

Highest emotional point for the main character (protagonist vs. antagonist)

complication

Obstacle to the solution of the conflict

Conflict

A struggle between opposing forces Person vs. person Person vs. nature Person vs. society Person vs. self Internal vs. external

dialect

A way of speaking characteristic of a particular region or group of people Grammar non-standard usage “That boy don’t never have no sense.” Pronunciation non- standard + or – of sounds stompin’ or idear

Exposition

Basic background information necessary to understand the story.

Figurative Language

Statements that compare unlike items

hyperbole

Extreme exaggeration I could eat a horse!

metaphor

Direct comparison of two things that are not alike Tom’s a bear before having his coffee. X=Y

personification

Personification Giving human characteristics to an inanimate object The willow danced in the wind.

Simile

Comparison of two things that are not alike that uses like or as The book is as old as dirt. She sings like a nightingale.

flashback

Flashback Tells what happened at an earlier time, breaks normal chronological order

Foil

Character in contrast to protagonist to illustrate hero’s temper, personality, etc.

Foreshadowing

Hints of events to come

imagery

Language that appeals to the senses Creates pictures for the reader

Point of View

Position from which a story is told First person Third person limited Third person omniscient

Plot

A Series of events that make up a story

Précis

A brief summary of a story

Protagonist

Main character, one who has the most to gain or lose

Resolution/denouement

Final part of the story, struggle is over, know the outcome, ties up lose ends Surprise ending – resolution comes from a climax but unexpected Indeterminate ending – resolution fails to fully tie up the situation

Setting

Time and place Time is often called the temporal setting

Situational irony

Situational Irony Contrast between what would seem appropriate and what really happens; sudden twist of fate, opposite and unexpected

Suspense

Arouses curiosity What will happen next? It keeps us turning the pages.

symbolism

Using one object as a symbol to stand for another.

Title analysis

Explaining the literal and figurative meaning of a phrase

theme

Main idea; general truth, author’s comment on life

tone

Author’s attitude toward the audience, subject, character. It is tied into the author’s purpose in writing and helps to establish that purpose.