Literary Terms

a story in which the main character is brought to ruin especially as a consequence of a flaw

writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people

a scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story

the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.

a remark or passage that is meant to be heard by the audience only - not other characters.

when you describe something by comparing it with something else, figures of speech, devices

an event in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended

a situation that is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play.

the process by which the personality of a character is revealed by adjectives or direct words

any struggle between opposing forces - main character struggles with ______________

a form of storytelling in which a narrator relates all action second hand

the personality of a character is revealed through a character's speech, actions, appearance

a long narrative poem, often written about a hero or heroines

the humorous use of a word or phrase so as to emphasize or suggest its different meanings

a warning or indication of a future event - author hints at what's to come

the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman

psychological struggle within the mind of a literary or dramatic character

in a story, this is its underlying message, "big idea", or universal message

comparison between two unlike things without using like or as

an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning

a form of storytelling in which a narrator relates all information, knowing all

is the point of highest tension or drama in a literary work

an author's use of vivid and descriptive language to add depth to his or her work

a figure of speech in which words are used so intended meaning is different than actual meaning

shows the author's attitude toward the subject and toward the audience in a literary work

a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

the leading character or major character in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text

the place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place

a comparison between unlike things using "like" or "as"

an expression designed to call something to mind; an indirect or passing reference.

story that was told in an ancient culture to explain a practice, belief, or natural occurrence

a form of storytelling in which a narrator relates all information, not knowing all

an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself, especially by a character in a play

a point of view (who is telling a story) where the story is narrated by one character at a time

refers to the use of the dictionary definition or literal meaning of a word

the adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama or other literary work

a person says or writes one thing and means another

the main events of a play, novel, movie, or similar work: intended sequence

struggle between a character and an outside force such as nature or another character

literature that describes imaginary events and people