Literary Terms

the writer tells the audience what the personality of the character is

the narrator is outside the story and reveals the thoughts of only one character

the central idea of a work of literature, often revealing a truth about human nature/behavior

a character who is not very well developed or has few identifiable characteristics

author reveals theme through plot and characters

the part of the plot where complications to the conflict develop and increase reader interest

a character that does not change from the beginning of the story to the end

the narrator is a character in the story

a literary technique that portrays differences between appearance and reality or expectation and result.

the point of greatest emotional intensity, interest, or suspense in the plot; the turning point

a contrast between what a reader or character expects and what actually happens in a story

the time and place of a story

the emotional atmosphere of a literary work

a direct or indirect comparison or two things

an all-knowing narrator is outside the story and can reveal the thoughts of all characters

writing that tells a story

a character who grows, learns, or changes as a result of the story's action

the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character

the writer reveals the personality of a character through that character's words, thoughts, and actions

uses 'you' and speaks directly to a person like in a letter or speech

event that introduces the central conflict

a conflict between a character and some opposing force--another person, a nature, society, or fate

a dramatic description or opening event that first catches the reader's attention

the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot

a figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant; sarcasm

a contrast between what the audience knows and what a character believes to be true

a character or force in conflict with the main character

the part of the story that reveals background information

writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning & is usually meant to be imaginative & vivid

a conflict that takes place within the mind of a character who is torn between opposing feelings or goals

the sequence of events in a story, novel, or play

the main character in a literary work

the perspective from which a story is told

the theme is directly expressed

the action that follows the climax in a work of literature

uncertainty or anxiety the reader feels about what is going to happen next in a story

the attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character

a comparison using "like" or "as"

a character who is fully developed - the writer reveals good and bad traits as well as background

the part of the plot that concludes the story by revealing or suggesting the outcome of the conflict