Literary TermsEnglish 9

Protagonist

Main CharacterFaces a struggle

Antagonist

Person or force protagonist is fighting against

Motivation

The psychological/moral impulses and outside circumstances that cause a character to act, think, or feel a certain way

Plot

The events of a storySequence (order) of events

Plot (elements of)

Exposition-introductory information needed to start the work

Exciting force-event that starts the rising action

Rising action-events which build suspenseTurning point/climax-highest point of

suspenseFalling action-aftermath/consequences Resolution-results of problem solved

Obstacle/Complication

Problem that the character must overcome

Conflict

The struggle between opposing forces that determine the action and drama

Characterization

The method by which an author reveals a character◦Direct comment from narrator◦Character’s actions◦Revelation◦Inner-thoughts from character◦What other characters say◦Character dialogue

Dialogue

The conversation of two or more people as represented in writing

Interior Monologue

The presentation of a character’s inner-emotional experience

Point of View

1st person-I, 3rd person-he/sheThe vantage point or stance which from

which a story is toldThe eye and mind through which the

action is perceived and filtered

Similie

Compares two unlike things using “like” or “as”

Allusion

A reference to historical or fictional characters, places, events, or works that the writer assumes the reader will recognize

Climax

The most exciting part of a story where the main conflict comes together.

Foreshadow

Giving hints or clues of events that occur later in a work

Flashback

A way of presenting something that took place in the past

Genre

Category that literature falls into based on specific standards

Imagery

Writer’s vivid description that help readers visualize

Irony

When one thing is expected but another occurs

Metaphor

One thing representing anotherMaking a comparison

Mood

How the reader feels about the story

Narration

The telling of a storyThe narrator is the person saying the

story

Onomatopoeia

Word that represent sounds

Parody

Literary work that satirizes another work, its author, or the ideas presented.

Personification

Giving non-human objects human characteristics

Satire

Literary device where an author mocks specific people, groups or some aspect of society.

Setting

The time and place of a story

Sonnet

Type of poem that has a specific rhyme and meter

Subplot

Minor story that runs inside the main story

Symbol

Anything that signifies or stands for something else

Theme

Broad idea or messageSubject of artistic representationAn specific or repeating idea; a motif

Tone

The reflection of the author’s attitude toward his or her subject, characters, and readers