Literary Terms

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

Shows events from before the present time of the story, often to reveal a character's motives

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of characters, reader, or audience

A conversation between characters; can be used to move the action along.

The introduction of setting, character, and basic situation in a story

A description that appeals to one's five senses

Force or character working against the main character in a story

Hints that the author gives of things that are to come in the story.

A character telling the story is taking part in the story; i.e. I, me, my

In a story, the highest or most intense point in the development

Anything that stands for or represents something else

Conclusion of the story

When the character telling the story is an outside observer; i.e. they, he, she, it

Reference to a well-known person, event, place, literary work or work of art.

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

The main character in a story

A comparison between two things using like or as

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

Where and when a story takes place