Beginning of the Year Literary Terms Review

A contradiction between what a character thinks and what the audience knows to be true.

Where and when a story takes place

Conclusion of the story

Shows events from before the present time of the story, often to reveal a character's motives

A conversation between characters; can be used to move the action along.

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

In a story, the highest or most intense point in the development

A contrast between what appears to be real and what is actually real.

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

Anything that stands for or represents something else

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

Force or character working against the main character in a story

An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of characters, reader, or audience

A comparison between two things using like or as

The introduction of setting, character, and basic situation in a story

A character telling the story is taking part in the story; i.e. I, me, my

The main character in a story

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

Reference to a well-known person, event, place, literary work or work of art.

A description that appeals to one's five senses

When the character telling the story is an outside observer; i.e. they, he, she, it

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

Hints that the author gives of things that are to come in the story.

Words are used to suggest the opposite of what is meant.