Literary Terms: Part 1

The event in a story that introduces the conflict or problem.

Solution or conclusion of a story.

The different meanings a word has.

The audience knows something that the characters do not.

The use of informal, everyday language in writing.

Exaggeration of actions and ideas.

Using descriptive words to give the reader a vivid picture, used to appeal to a reader’s senses.

A struggle between the protagonist and some outside force.

A type of fiction in which a plot cannot occur in the real world. It’s an imaginative fiction.

A book of oneself written by oneself.

The narration of a story by the main character using I, my, me.

Dropping important clues by the author to prepare the reader for what is to come.

A story, poem or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning. Usually moral or political.

Overall feeling from the reader by the story.

Refers to the same constant sounds in words coming together.

Refers to an earlier point in time.

Universal character, symbol, pattern. (Ex: the Golden Age, mother, the wise old man or hero)

The story of someone written by someone else.

A person opposing the protagonist. (The villain)

The point of highest tension or drama. The point where a character has to make a decision.

Unexpected turn or twist in events - the exact opposite of expectations.

A reference to some person, place or event with literary, historical or geographical significance.

A character that remains exactly the same. Readers only meet one side of the character.

The description of a character. Reveals the personality of a character.

A character who changes or develops in some significant way.

The reader is being introduced to the setting as well as the main characters.

Organization and classification of stories.

A struggle within the heart and mind of the protagonist