Literature Terms

A group of lines within a poem. A stanza is like a paragraph. A type of literature in which the author uses his words to touch the readers emotions and senses. It is written in a creative, imaginative way. Poem/ Poetry

The repetition (repeating) of sounds at the end of words The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry. The rhythm is a reoccurring pattern that forms a beat. Rhythm The repetition (repeating) of sounds at the end of words Rhyme

Couplet Hyperbole A rhymed pair of lines in a poem An extreme exaggeration or overstatement for emphasis Hyperbole

An expression that has a meaning different that what the words in the sentence/phrase say. Idiom Specialized vocabulary used by people in a certain group, job, or community. Jargon

A comparison between two dissimilar things in order to make a point Analogy A manner of writing. How something is said verses what is said. Style

Symbolism Narrative Poetry A way of representing something through a symbol or a symbolic meaning. Symbolism A poem that contains the story elements (plot, characters, themes, setting, etc) but is formatted like a poem. Narrative Poetry

Words used by the author to create a mental picture for the reader An expression in which the literal meaning is not used. Figurative language is expressed through, similes, metaphors, personification, idioms, and hyperboles Figure of Speech Words used by the author to create a mental picture for the reader Description

Atmosphere Irony The dominate mood/tone of a story A way of wording something to convey a meaning that is opposite of its literal meaning. “How Nice”… being sarcastic. Irony

Parody Satire Imitating another piece of writing Using irony and sarcasm to make fun of another piece of writing Satire

A story about a person’s life written by that person autobiography A form of a language spoken by a group of people in the same geographical region Dialect

A story about a person’s life written by another person Biography A conversation between characters in a book. Set off by quotation marks. Dialogue

Alliteration Personification The repetition of a consonant or vowel at the beginning of words. Writers do this to draw attention Alliteration Figure of speech in which a nonhuman subject is made to have human characteristics Personification

Inference Foreshadowing Understanding what the writer is saying and combining it with your background knowledge to make an educated guess Inference When the writer gives clues and hints to suggest something that is going to happen later in the book. Use this to create suspense Foreshadowing

A speaker or character who tells a story The perspective from which the story is told. (who is telling the story) Point of View A speaker or character who tells a story Narrator

A type of writing that is meant to be performed by characters with dialogue. Divided into acts and scenes. Drama A type of writing that has a serious theme where a catastrophe occurs that involves the main character. Tragedy

A scene within a story that interrupts the sequence (flow) of events to talk about something that happened in the past. flashback A feeling of uncertainty about what is to come in the story. (writers do this by creating questions in the reader’s mind) suspense

The spreading of information in order to promote something. Propaganda A contradiction between what happens and what is expected to 3 types- situational, verbal, and dramatic Irony

A comparison of two unlike things using a linking verb (am, is, are, was, were) to connect them together. Metaphor Words and phrases used in writing to create visual images or to appeal to the 5 senses. Imagery

A comparison of two unlike things using a like, as, or seems to connect them together. Simile A way an author writes that reflects their attitude towards audience and subject. Tone

A word whose sound suggest its meaning and provides sound effects Onomatopoeia A reference to a well known person, event, place, book, or art. It helps to make something understandable. Allusion

A type of genre that is a story (usually with animals) that teaches a moral/theme Fable A long work of fiction that includes elements such as: characters, plot, conflict, setting, etc. Novel

A type of writing that tells about imaginary characters and events Fiction A story that is orally passed from person to person. They reflect cultural beliefs. Folk Tale

A type of writing that explains ideas or that tells about real people, places, or events Nonfiction A highly imaginative writing that contains elements not found in real life. Fantasy

A fictional tale that explains the actions of gods or heroes. Myth A brief work of fiction that presents a sequence of events. Short Story

The time and place in which a story takes place Setting The message/moral that the author wants you to learn from reading the story. Theme

Internal Conflict Rising Action A conflict within the character. The character battles themselves Internal Conflict Part of a story that has the events that lead to the climax Rising Action

External Conflict Antagonist A conflict in which a character struggles with an outside force Man vs Man Man vs nature Man vs society External Conflict A character that opposes the main character in the story. Antagonist

A struggle between opposing forces Conflict Main Character Protagonist

The author’s way of developing a character. The turning point of the story where the action is at its highest point and the author provides great tension and suspense. Climax The author’s way of developing a character. Direct Indirect Characterization

3rd Person Omniscient 1st person A point of view in a story in which the narrator tells the reader what EACH character thinks and feels 3rd Person Omniscient A point of view in a story that is told by a character who uses the pronoun “I” 1st person

A point of view in which a narrator tells the story using pronouns like “he” or “she” 3rd person A sequence of events where one event leads to another. Plot has 5 parts: Exposition Rising action Climax Falling action resolution Plot

An event that leads to another event. Cause & Effect The events in the story that lead to the resolution or end of the story Falling Action

Part of the plot that pulls the whole story to a closing. Part of the plot that introduces the setting, characters, and basic situation Exposition Part of the plot that pulls the whole story to a closing. Resolution

Dynamic Character Static Character A character that changes or grows during the story. Dynamic Character A character that does not change throughout the story. Static Character

A character that is one-sided and often stereotypical Flat Character A character that the readers fully know their personality, traits, and characterics. Round Character