Literary Terms

A contradiction between an action that occurs and the expectations of the characters or reader

The part of the plot where the story ends

The part if the plot that introduces the characters, the setting, and the basic situation.

The act of creating and developing a character

Anything that stands for or represents something else

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

Prose writing that tells about the imaginary characters and events

The ordinary form of written language. It includes writing that is not poetry, drama or song.

A figure of speech that combines 2 opposing or contradictory ideas

The high point or turning point in a literary work

A fictional tale that explains the actions of gods or heroes or the causes of natural phenomena

The writers attitude toward his or her subject, characters, or audience

The bad guy in a story: they work against the main character

A brief story about an interesting, amusing, or strange event that is told to entertain.

A character who does not change in the course of a work

An event that creates the central or main conflict for the protagonist

A writer's or speaker's word choice

A struggle between a character and an outside force

Public speaking that is formal, persuasive, and emotionally appealing.

A contradiction in what is stated and what is meant or between what is expected to happen.

A portrayal, in words, of something that can be perceived by the senses.

A feeling of growing uncertainty of the outcome of events.