Literary Terms

Question 1

the position or vantage point from which the events of a story are observed and presented to us

Accepted Answer

point of view

Question 2

a series of events in a literary work

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plot

Question 3

a key point in the plot that starts the rising action

Accepted Answer

inciting incident

Question 4

a struggle between two opposing forces that is central to a story’s plot

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conflict

Question 5

complications, conflicts, and other events that lead to the climax

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rising action

Question 6

the classification of literary works according to elements of content, form, or technique

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genre

Question 7

the part of the story where the conflict is decided and questions are answered

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resolution

Question 8

a contrast between what appears to be said and what really is; a subtly humorous inconsistency

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irony

Question 9

giving human qualities to animals or inanimate objects

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personification

Question 10

events that lead from the climax to the resolution

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falling action

Question 11

a person, place, thing, event, or action that has meaning in itself but has other meanings

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symbolism

Question 12

an expression of two or more words that means something other than the literal meaning

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idiom

Question 13

a hint given to the reader of what is to come

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foreshadowing

Question 14

a character that opposes the protagonist; an adversary or villain

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antagonist

Question 15

language that helps the reader visualize the scene by comparing two different things

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figurative language

Question 16

the beginning of a story that introduces background information on setting and characters

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exposition

Question 17

where and when a story takes place

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setting

Question 18

the highest point of action in a story; the decisive moment or turning point

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climax

Question 19

a comparison between two dissimilar things using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’

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simile

Question 20

a figure of speech comparing two dissimilar things using a form of “to be”

Accepted Answer

metaphor

Question 21

the main character in a story, often the character with whom the reader most identifies

Accepted Answer

protagonist

Question 22

information about the characters through description and their actions, speech, and thoughts

Accepted Answer

characterization

Question 23

the underlying meaning of a literary work

Accepted Answer

theme

Literary Terms

Questions 23

Literary Terms

Questions 23