CCA Literary Terms

The descriptive or figurative language used in literature to create word pictures for the reader

Anything that stands for something else and/or represents an abstract idea

A figure of speech in which the words like or as are used to compare two apparently dissimilar items

A writer’s distinctive “sound” or way of “speaking” on the page

a characterizing phrase for a person, place, or thing

a character that shows only one trait

a character who provides a contrast to another character

a character that does not change

a type of figurative language in which a nonhuman subject is given human characteristics

a means by which authors present material that occurred earlier than the present tense of the narrative

A character that develops and grows during the course of the story

the use in a literary work of clues that suggest events that have yet to occur

The narrator is a character who participates in the action and uses the first-person pronouns I or me.

Involves a character in conflict with themselves

The main character in a literary work

A character’s struggles against outside forces

the author directly states a character's traits

writing or speech not meant to be interpreted literally

A character that shows many different traits–faults as well as virtues

the author gives clues about a character by describing looks, actions, words; and how other characters react to them

A figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as though it were something else.

the pattern of beats, or stresses, in spoken or written language

The author’s choice of words, especially vocabulary, use of slang and colloquial language, and level of formality

beginning with action instead of background information

a type of character, detail, image, or situation that appears in literature throughout history

The writer’s attitude toward the audience or subject

The author’s unique way of writing

A central message or insight into life revealed through a literary work

when a voice outside the story narrates; all-knowing--can tell readers what any character thinks and feels

when a voice outside the story narrates; sees the world through one character's eyes and reveals only their thoughts

a message about life that can be understood by most cultures

The use of any element of language– a sound, a word, a phrase, a clause, or a sentence– more than once

a character or force in conflict with a main character, or protagonist

Sentence structure