Literary Terms

model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; prototype.

the repetition of syllable sounds

any language used to furnish new effects of fresh insights into an idea or a subject

an exaggerated statement used especially as a figure of speech to heighten the effect

the methods an author use to acquaint the reader with his or her characters

repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words

emotional imaginative, cultural, or traditional association of a word

an author’s use of hints and clues to suggest events that will occur later in a narrative

the total feeling in a literary work

a series of stressed and unstressed sounds in a group of words

the repeating of vowel sounds within a group of words

the relationship between the narrator and the story he or she tells

the type of irony which is the contrast between what is said and what is actually meant

the main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work

strict dictionary meaning of a word, presented objectively and without emotional associations

a humorous imitation of serious writing for comedic effect

the narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of one of the characters

the author’s attitude stated or implied, toward a subject and toward the audience

a person, place, event, or object that has a meaning in itself but also suggests other meanings

human characteristics are given to non-human things

the main character in a literary work

the use of words whose sounds suggest their sense

the time and place in which the events of a narrative occur

a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words “like” or “as”

in a literary work, whenthe author ridicules the vices of follies of people and society

A character or force in conflict with the main character or protagonist

showing an episode that happened before that particular point in the story.

related events in the story presenting the resolution of some internal or external conflict

fixed, generalized idea about a character or situation

concrete details that appeal to the senses of sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste

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

a figure of speech that involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things

a reasonable and intelligent conclusion drawn from hints or other information

the contrast between what is expected or what appears to be, and what actually is