Literary Terms

Exaggerated comedy with ridiculous situations, mixed up identities, and lots of wordplay.

Say one thing but mean the opposite.

Made up story, not true.

Hints or clues of what will happen in a story.

Two rhyming lines grouped together in a poem.

Language that appeals to our five senses.

A character's unspoken thoughts.

Words/phrases for a specific situation, profession, or trade.

Repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of words.

Words that imitate sounds. (Ex. pop, crack)

Changes minimaly throughout the story.

Writing meant to convince others of your view or to have them do something you want them to do.

A conflict of a character against outside forces.

Interacts with the main character, moves story along.

Changes and grows throughout the story.

Words that inspire strong emotions.

Language that communicates ideas beyond the literal (dictionary) meaning of the words used.

A conflict between character and society.

Compares two things in several ways.

A point by point comparison of two things.

Serves a purpose, such as a menu or manual.

Verbal irony meant to hurt another person.

Words that almost rhyme.

Made up story that has feeling of being real.

Time and place where a story occurs.

A conflict between two or more characters.

Characters reason for doing something.

The pattern of end rhyme throughout a poem.

Stories with unreal aspects such as talking animals or magic.

Dictionary, or literal, meaning of words.

Using one thing to represent another. (Ex. flag:freedom)

Long, narrative formal poem centered around a hero.

Story where people, objects, or events stand for ideas, such as a child representing innocence.

When a character speaks to the audience in a play without the other characters knowledge.

Poetry written in iambic pentameter but no rhyme.

Opposes the protagonist and provides conflict.

Brings together two contradictory terms. (Ex. wise fool)

The hero (or main character) of a story.

Writing based on fact, true.

Characters developed, conflicts increase.

Poetry that does not have rhyme and meter patterns.

Organized written or spoken words without rythym.(fiction, non-fiction, drama, no poetry)

Used to explain something in the world.

The positive or negative way you feel about a topic.

Introduction, chracters and conflict are 'exposed'.

Story where foolish customs/ideas of a society are ridiculed for the purpose of improvement.

Types of literary works (fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry).

Narrator is outside the story, but can only focus on one characters thoughts and actions.

Stories with a detective and puzzle that must be solved.

Teaches a moral or lesson. They usually include animals.

Rhyme that comes at the end of a line of poetry.

Repetition of consonant sounds within words.

A pause or break for emphasis in a line of poetry.

Narrator is "all knowing" and can see inside the minds of all the characters. Uses he/she form.

Emotional response from a word.

Humorous play, usually with a happy ending.

Made up story set in a real time period.

Story set in countryside with a peaceful setting.

Writing used to honor someone who has passed.

A conflict within a single character. Battling ones own feelings.

Simple stories passed down thru time by word of mouth.

Most common meter, contains 5 beats per line.

Character with opposite traits used to emphasize the traits of the main character.

Type of folk tale, often exaggerated but considered true.

A group of lines that form a unit in a poem.

The struggle between opposing forces in a story.

One person talking to himself.

A short version of a longer written piece.

Mostly structured (arranged in lines), appeals to emotions and experiences.

Similarity of sound between two words.

American tales that rely on exaggeration

True story of someone's life by another person.

The main character has a tragic flaw, or weakness, that leads to his eventual destruction.

Dark fiction focused on odd characters and crazy situations.

True story of someone's life written by that person.

Rhyme that occurs in the same line of poetry.

Comparing two things using 'like' or 'as'.

Groups of four lines in a poem.

The contrast (difference) between appearance and reality.

Imitates someone else's writing style, for criticism or humor.

A play on words.

Direct comparison of two things.

To go "back in time" within a story to provide info.

The end of the story where final outcome is revealed and loose ends are resolved.

14 line lyric poem written in iambic pentameter

The repetition of a regular rhythm unit throughout a poem.

The emotional response of a reader toward what they read.

Narrator is in the story and uses "I" form.

A single statement, tells what the writing is about or it's intended purpose.

A statement that contradicts itself, but still has truth. (Ex. The beginning of the end.)

Repetition of vowel sounds within words.

Perspective in which a story is told.

How a poem is arranged.

Narrator directly adresses reader as "you".

Story centers on this character(s).

Short poem, expresses thoughts in deep emotional terms.

Techniques used to develop characters in stories.

The sequence (order) of actions or events in a story.

The pattern or flow of sound created in poetry.

The author's message in respect to humanity in general. Includes good vs. evil, hope, freedom.

Where truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humor.

A word or part of a sentence (the beginning) repeated.

Difference between what's expected to happen in a story and what really happens.

High point of story (showdown) where conflict erupts.

Writing that informs, explains, or describes something.

Readers know more than the characters.

An object or animal possesses human qualities.

Narrative poem with repetition meant to be sung.

Made up story set in outer space or the future.

Who is telling the story.

The author's attitude/opinion toward his/her subject.

Plays that usually include an exciting, emotional, or unexpected series of events.