Literary Terms 8th Grade

the opposite of what we expect happens/is said

emotional associations we have with a word

object representing something bigger, deeper, more significant

comparison where one thing is another thing. Like or as not used

saying the opposite of what someone means (ex., sarcasm)

polite expression used to describe unpleasant ideas/events

Feeling of the reader in a literary work

underlying meaning or message communicated by the author

struggle between a character and some outside force

when the audience knows something the characters don't know

extreme exaggeration

Reference to another book, movie, historical event, or part of pop culture to help readers

character is revealed by named character traits

interruption in the chronological sequence of events to look back in time

making logical predictions or assumptions

a comparison using like, as, than, or resembles

A character who stays the same during a literary work

when a non-human thing is given human characteristics

conflict where a character struggles with internal forces

a character struggles against the environment/natural world

character vs. self

character struggles against members of the larger group in which they live

person telling the story

A character who changes throughout a story

dictionary definition of a word

situation where the opposite of what we expect happens

a character we don't know much about

Attitude of the author

character revealed through speech, thoughts, actions, others' reactions

advance hints about what is to come later in the story

refers to the way a character is developed in a story

a character we know a lot about

two ideas are placed side-by-side in order to show their differences