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. 1 st 3 rd limited 3 rd 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 Language The 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.