Literary Terms and Definitions

comparison that does not use like or as

a force against the protagonist

the assumption or feeling a word invokes

the breaking of prose (everyday language); writing in meters

problems inside a character

a widely held belief that lacks scientific evidence

contradictory terms appear in conjunction

a recurring structure in literature that provides theme development

to write information in your own words while using the source as guidance

how a reader feels while reading

when the unexpected happens

an historical reference used in literature

regional speech

when a character vocalizes thoughts to the audience, other characters are not aware of the thoughts

an historical account written from personal knowledge

dictionary definition of a word

 a close examination of elements in a content

a spoken or written story

writing through a perspective (first person, second person, third person)

everyday language

the reason an author writes

language that deters from the literal

a main character who faces the most conflict, moves the plot, and changes in a negative or positive arch

hints an author provides to help readers predict the future of the plot

the life story of a person written by the same person

when a sound is written

problems outside a character

a made-up story

information of misleading nature intended to promote a cause

a formal piece of writing that has an introduction, body paragraphs, and closure

central ideas

the writer's attitude

the life story of a person written by another person

to make an educated guess based on evidence

language that appeals to the senses

an object that represents an idea or concept

Words that have the same beginning sounds

characteristics that expose the strengths and weaknesses of another character

person telling a story

a story originating in popular culture, usually translated vocally

when one side is favored over another side

the person vocalizing a poem

when and where a story takes place

all-knowing

a written statement that directs the purpose of an essay

conversation between characters

to use details

the use of humor to expose human vices

when a character represents an idea or concept

a short story about a real incident