allusion  a reference to a well- known person, place, work of literature, art, music, etc.

alliteration  the repetition of initial consonant sounds  Ex) The slithery, slimy, sneaky, snake slid down the slippery sidewalk.

antagonist  the character opposing the protagonist; can be a person, idea, or force.  Often the seen as the “bad” guy.

characterization  a method used by the author to create a character  Physical Appearance (looks)  Personality (actions, mannerisms)  Attitude (values)  Reputation (what others say)

conflict  the main problem the character faces; struggle between two opposing forces  Man vs. Man  Man vs. Fate  Man vs. Self  Man vs. Nature  Man vs. Society

diction  Word choice. The appropriateness of the words with regard to the emotions and/or ideas.

dynamic character  a character that undergoes a change in actions or beliefs during the course of the story; they may grown, change, or learn a lesson

flashback  interrupting the story with events from the past; when a character mentally goes back in time to “relive” a past event

foreshadow  gives clues that suggest what might happen in the future

hyperbole  the deliberate use of exaggeration or overstatement  My mother told me she would kill me if I ever got a tattoo.

idiom  a saying that can not be literally translated  Ex) That test was a piece of cake.

inference  a reasonable conclusion drawn by the reader from hints by the author

imagery  the use of vivid description to create a picture in the reader’s mind  Ex) sight, sound, touch, taste, smell

irony  a statement meaning the opposite of what is literally stated; recognizing the difference between reality and appearance  Can be situational irony, verbal irony, or dramatic irony

metaphor  a comparison of two unlike things not using the words “like” or “as”

mood  the feeling or atmosphere that the author creates for a reader

onomatopoeia  a word or phrase that imitates a sound  Ex) Buzz, Whoosh, Hiss, Clang

oxymoron  a seemingly contradictory combination of words  Ex) jumbo shrimp

personification  gives animals or objects human qualities or characteristics  Ex) happy house

point of view  the relationship of the narrator to the story (viewpoint)  First Person  Third Person Limited (We know the thoughts and feelings of ONE main character.)  Third Person Omniscient (We know the thoughts and feelings of ALL main characters.)

protagonist  the central character, and focus of interest who is trying to accomplish or overcome adversity, and has the ability to adapt to new circumstances  Often seen as the “good” guy.

repetition for effect  creating a “special effect” by repeating a sound or words

setting  the time and place of the story’s events

simile  a comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as”

static character  a character that does not grow or change throughout the story; they end as he/she began

symbol / symbolism  the use of one thing to stand for or represent another  Ex) The girl loved the cross necklace that her grandfather had given her and never took it from around her neck.

theme  a central message or insight into life revealed through the literary work. A lesson about life or people.

tone  the author’s attitude about his topic – can be positive, negative, or neutral, and can usually be described by a single adjective