Literary Terms

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"

any struggle between opposing forces - main character struggles with ______________

psychological struggle within the mind of a literary or dramatic character

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

literature  that describes imaginary events and people

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a person says or writes one thing and means another

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

comparison between two unlike things without using like or as

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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