6th Grade Literary Terms

Figure of speech in which a human quality is given to an animal, object, or idea.

Central Struggle between opposing forces.

Emotional quality or atmosphere of the story.

Told by one of the characters in the story. Uses I or We.

The point of greatest interest or suspense in a story.

Part of the plot that adds complications to the story and increases reader interest.

Interruption in a chronological story.

Figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion or make a point.

Figure of speech using like or as to compare seemingly unlike things.

The sequence of events in a story.

A reference in a work of literature to a character, place, music, art or from history.

This is told using you, mostly used in instructions and directions.

Use of clues by the author to prepare readers for events that will happen.

Narrator is outside the story, can reveal any or all events through multiple characters.

The person or force that opposes the protagonist. You are meant not to sympathize with him.her.

Part of the plot that comes after the falling action.Reveals the outcome of the conflict

Methods a writer uses to develop the personality of a character.

This type of conflict pits man against the government or other forms of authority

Language that emphasizes sense impressions that the reader can see, hear, feel, smell or taste.

This type of conflict is with oneself

An expression that means something different than what it says.

The action that follows the climax.

Time and place in which the events occur in a story

The relationship of the narrator to the story.

The main idea of a story

The central character in a story, usually the action revolves around him/her.

The narrator is outside the story and reveals the feelings of only one character. Uses he/she.

Any object,person,place,or experience that stands for something else.

Figure of speech that compares seemingly unlike things, don't use like or as

Conveys meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning.

This type of conflict is against natural forces.

Author's introduction to characters, setting, and situation of a story.

This is a conflict where it's against another person.

Communicating ideas beyond literal meanings of words.