Keystone Literature Terms

A word that takes the place of a noun, a group of words acting as a noun, or another of its own kind

The character who is in opposition to the main character

Traits that mark a work as reportorial, analytical, informative, or argumentative (facts, data, charts, graphics)

A reference in literature to something or someone commonly known

The part of a story following the climax in which the conflict is resolved and narrative concludes

Support provided to mark an assertion as reasonable

A device in literature when an object represents an idea or something apart from the object itself

To examine and judge carefully. To judge or determine the significance, worth, or quality of something: to assess

The overall structure or shape of a work that frequently follows an established design (narrative, short story, novel)

A word that names a person, place, thing, or an abstract idea

Descriptive or figurative language in a literary work; the use of language to create sensory impressions

A device in the narrative of a work of fiction that suggests an event or events which may happen

The generally accepted importance of a work representing a given culture

The part of a story where the plot becomes increasingly complicated and leads up to the climax

Information aimed at positively or negatively influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people

Words or phrases in a sentence, paragraph, and/or whole text which help to figure out the word

A judgment based on reasoning rather than on a direct statement; understanding gained by "reading between the lines"

The prevailing emotions or atmosphere of a work derived from literary devices, which may not be expected

The point of view that relates events as they are perceived by a single character and offers opinions of that character

A part of the narrative, often used at the beginning of a work, that provides necessary background about the characters

A story, actual or fictional, expressed orally or in text

Text that is not imaginary, designed primarily to explain, argue, instruct or describe, rather than entertain

A word that modifies a noun or a pronoun and tells what kind, which one, how many, or how much

Text that includes literary elements and devices usually associated with fiction to report on actual events

A use of language distinct from the standard variety in pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary

The narrative tells the story from one character's view (limited) or multiple, if not all, characters' (omniscient)

The time and place in which a story takes place

A word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, answering when, where, how, why, or to what extent

Any story that is the product of imagination rather than a documentation of fact.

The process or result of identifying the parts of a whole and their relationship to one another

A part of speech that expresses an action or a state of being and is necessary to make a statement

To make understandable, plain, or clear

Text written primarily to convey factual information, comprised textbooks, newspapers, reports, and directions

An extended metaphor in which objects, persons, and actions relate to ideas of morality, religion, or politics

A word that is the opposite in meaning to another word

Language that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling

To distinguish, tell apart, and recognize differences between two or more items

The main character that a piece of literature focuses upon

Traits that mark a work as imaginative or narrative (plot, theme, symbol)

To capture all of the most important parts of the original text (paragraph, story, poem) in a shorter space

The position or claim the author establishes, supported with valid evidence and reasoning, including opposing views

An exaggeration or overstatement (e.g., I had to wait forever)

The position of the narrator in relation to the story (first person narrator, third person omniscient, or limited)

The turning point in a narrative or highest point of action

The range of association that a word suggests in addition to its dictionary meaning, usually positive or negative

The repetition of initial consonant or vowel sounds in words

The subtle presence of a positive or negative approach toward a topic

The part of a literary plot that is characterized by diminishing tensions and follows the highest point of action

One or more letters at the beginning or the end of a word.

The use of a word, phrase, or plot element to mean the opposite of what would usually happen