Literary Terms

Something used to represent an idea, person, event, or object.

A type of autobiography that often focuses on a specific time period or event.

The opponent who struggles against or blocks the hero in a story.

The insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work.

A very short story that teaches a practical lesson about how to succeed in life.

Fixed idea or conception of a character or group of people that does not allow for indiviuality

A long narrative poem which tells the deeds of a heroic character

Figure of speech that makes explicit comparison between two unlike things, using specific words

The series of related events in a story or play, sometimes called the story line.

A figure of speech in which an animal or object is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes

A group of words having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words.

Figure of speech that uses an incredible exaggeration, or overstatement, for effect.

A story in which a heroic character dies or comes to some other unhappy end.

A statement that says less than what is meant.

A reference to someone or something that is known from some branch of culture.

That point in a plot that creates the greatest intensity, suspense, or interest.

The use of language to create a picture of a person, place, thing, or experience.

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things WITHOUT specific words.

The repetition of the same or similar consonant sound in words that are close together.

The use of a word whose sound imitates or suggests its meaning.

The struggle between opposing forces or characters in a story.

A very brief story, told to illustrate a point or serve as an example of something.

A figure of speech that combines opposite or contrary terms in a brief phrase.

A word or phrase; often a figure of speech, that has become lifeless because of overuse.

The central character in a story, the who initiates or drives the action.

The attitude a writer takes towards the subject of a work.

Emotional overtones that have become attached to a word or phrase in addition to its definition

A discrepancy between appearances and actual reality.