Literary Terms

(in fictional writing) the narrator’s position in relation to a story being told.

the principal character in a literary work

A fictitious prose narrative of book length, typically representing character and action with some degree of realism.

Literature in the form of prose, especially novels, that describes imaginary events and people

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, using like or as

"as brave as a lion" is an example of what?

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words

The expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous effect.

genre of writing that criticizes something, such as a person, behavior, belief, government, or society.

Prose writing that is informative or factual rather than fictional.

an interruption in a narrative that depicts events that have already occurred

"faith unfaithful kept him falsely true" is an example of what?

A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction

The place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place.

_____ is when an author makes an indirect reference to a figure, place, event, or idea originating from outside the text

when an author indirectly hints at what's to come later on in the story

The black box in "The Lottery" is a symbol for what ...

an object, figure, event, situation, etc. in a written work representing something else (typically a broader message)

Visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work.

When the audience is aware of the true intentions or outcomes, while the characters are not.

"Stop acting so smart—it's not like you're Einstein or something," is an example of a metaphor.

An idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art or literature.

the "bad guy" or "villain" can actually be the protagonist of his/her own story

The main events of a play, novel, film, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable

The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human