English Literary Terms Review

a figure of speech that makes an indirect comparison between two unlike subjects (no like/as)

The arrangement of events in a literary work

a regularly repeated line or group of lines in a poem/song

the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words

the relationship between the narrator and the story he/she tells, perspective of story

a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike subjects using like/as

this character stays the same throughout the story

a reason that explains a character's thoughts, feelings, actions

the feeling created in a READER by a literary work/passage

the quality of the story that makes the reader curious and excited about what will happen next

a figure of speech that is an exaggeration for effect

the time/place of the story

the message, central concern, or insight into life revealed in a literary work

literary tone used to ridicule or make fun of human vice/weakness

the attitude toward the subject/audience conveyed by the language/rhythm of the speaker

to suggest/hint at something without stating it clearly

an expression having a special meaning different from the usual meanings of the words

this character is fully developed- writer reveals good and bad traits as well as the background

an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the character/reader/audience

a contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader/audience knows to be true

the point of highest interest, the conflict must be resolved one way or another

this character seems to possess only one or two personality traits

conversation between characters

the general name given to literary techniques that involve interesting contradictions

anything that stands for or represents something else (possibly an item)

a word/group of words which appeal to one or more of the senses

a division of poetry similar to a paragraph in prose

one of the qualities that makes up a character's personality

a person/animal who takes part in the action of a literary work

The series of related actions or events in a literary work

any events leading up to the climax

this character changes as a result of the action in the story

the story's end

a fixed, generalized idea about a character, place, or situation

The two major types of conflict

types of figurative language

struggle between opposing forces; any problem that must be solved

a character or force in conflict with the main character

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

the language of everyday speech, may use contractions and slang

establishes the setting, identifies the characters, introduces the basis situation

the main character in a literary work

writing or speech that is not meant to be taken literally

an informal, often short-lived kind of language used in place of standard words

events that occur between the climax and conclusion

judgement based on reasoning rather than direct statement

the author's intent either to inform/teacher, to entertain, or to persuade/convince audience

a division or type of literature - generally prose, poetry, or drama

the standard language of written communication, formal speeches...not using slang

the ordinary form of writing; most writing that is not poetry, drama, or song

a problem or struggle between a character and someone or something outside of the character

introduces the central conflict

a problem or struggle within a character

a figure of speech in which non-human subjects are given human characteristics 

the speaker or character who tells the story

words are used to suggest the opposite of their usual meaning

the fluency, rhythm and liveliness in writing that makes it unique to the writer

an author's use of hints/clues to suggest events that will occur later

the use of words that imitate sounds (buzz, hiss, crack)

prose writing that tells about imaginary characters/events