Keystone Literature Terms

Text that is not imaginary, designed primarily to explain, argue, instruct or describe, rather than entertain

The process or result of identifying the parts of a whole and their relationship to one another

A word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, answering when, where, how, why, or to what extent

A reference in literature to something or someone commonly known

The range of association that a word suggests in addition to its dictionary meaning, usually positive or negative

The overall structure or shape of a work that frequently follows an established design (narrative, short story, novel)

A word that takes the place of a noun, a group of words acting as a noun, or another of its own kind

The main character that a piece of literature focuses upon

An exaggeration or overstatement (e.g., I had to wait forever)

The turning point in a narrative or highest point of action

Text written primarily to convey factual information, comprised textbooks, newspapers, reports, and directions

The point of view that relates events as they are perceived by a single character and offers opinions of that character

Language that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling

The part of a story following the climax in which the conflict is resolved and narrative concludes

A word that modifies a noun or a pronoun and tells what kind, which one, how many, or how much

The prevailing emotions or atmosphere of a work derived from literary devices, which may not be expected

An extended metaphor in which objects, persons, and actions relate to ideas of morality, religion, or politics

A word that names a person, place, thing, or an abstract idea

A word that is the opposite in meaning to another word

Support provided to mark an assertion as reasonable

The time and place in which a story takes place

The position or claim the author establishes, supported with valid evidence and reasoning, including opposing views

The use of a word, phrase, or plot element to mean the opposite of what would usually happen

The repetition of initial consonant or vowel sounds in words

Words or phrases in a sentence, paragraph, and/or whole text which help to figure out the word

To distinguish, tell apart, and recognize differences between two or more items

A judgment based on reasoning rather than on a direct statement; understanding gained by "reading between the lines"

Traits that mark a work as reportorial, analytical, informative, or argumentative (facts, data, charts, graphics)

To capture all of the most important parts of the original text (paragraph, story, poem) in a shorter space

A part of speech that expresses an action or a state of being and is necessary to make a statement

The position of the narrator in relation to the story (first person narrator, third person omniscient, or limited)

A device in literature when an object represents an idea or something apart from the object itself

The part of a story where the plot becomes increasingly complicated and leads up to the climax

Traits that mark a work as imaginative or narrative (plot, theme, symbol)

A story, actual or fictional, expressed orally or in text

A part of the narrative, often used at the beginning of a work, that provides necessary background about the characters

The narrative tells the story from one character's view (limited) or multiple, if not all, characters' (omniscient)

The generally accepted importance of a work representing a given culture

Any story that is the product of imagination rather than a documentation of fact.

To examine and judge carefully. To judge or determine the significance, worth, or quality of something: to assess

The part of a literary plot that is characterized by diminishing tensions and follows the highest point of action

A device in the narrative of a work of fiction that suggests an event or events which may happen

Text that includes literary elements and devices usually associated with fiction to report on actual events

Descriptive or figurative language in a literary work; the use of language to create sensory impressions

One or more letters at the beginning or the end of a word.

A use of language distinct from the standard variety in pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary

The character who is in opposition to the main character

Information aimed at positively or negatively influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people

To make understandable, plain, or clear

The subtle presence of a positive or negative approach toward a topic