Literary Terms Guided Notes 1

Irony -when the opposite of what is expected occurs. There are three types of irony: Verbal Irony occurs when you say the opposite of what you actually mean Situational Irony transpires when the outcome is the opposite of what is expected Dramatic Irony is more complex and includes the audience knowing more than those within the play or book therefore enabling the audience to see what is to come -when the opposite of what is expected occurs.

Imagery (Sensory Language) This is when what is written appeals to your senses in a way that makes you see, hear, smell, taste, or feel what is being described. It is often achieved through figurative language.

Foreshadowing A hint within the narrative about what is to come What does this Pixar still from the movie “Cars” hint at?

Characterization This refers to the personality given to a character; the writer achieves this through what a characters says, does, thinks, feels, and even dresses. It can also be revealed by what other characters think and say about him/her.

Figurative Language It is often described as ‘ornamental language’ as it forces the reader, through its’ seemingly unrelated comparisons, to make an imaginative leap. Popular examples include similes, metaphor, and personification. This typically creates imagery.

Plot The author’s arrangement of events that usually follows a linear pattern of five events. *Both foreshadowing and flash backs are plots that rearrange the typical sequence of events.