Literature Terms

Plot

The order of events in the story.

Protagonist

The main character in a story who struggles with the main conflict.

The protagonist, Harry, struggles with many things in the book Harry Potter.

AntagonistThe person or thing causing the conflict for the protagonist.

The Wicked Witch of the West is the antagonist in the Wizard of Oz.

Conflict

The problem in a story.

One of the major conflict in the move Star Wars is Luke’s father turning into Darth Vader.

Man vs. man

• The type of conflict where another character is causing the conflict for the protagonist.

Man vs. Self

• The type of conflict where the protagonist is faced with a problem within himself.

Man vs. Nature

• Type of conflict where the protagonist struggles to survive a natural environment.

Man vs. Society

• The type of conflict where the protagonist must overcome unfairness in society.

Theme

• The underlying message in a story. It must be in a complete sentence.

FriendshipSurvival

Setting

• The time and place of a story.

Tone

• The author’s attitude toward a character in the story. (Think of tone of voice)

Mood

• The overall feeling of a story.(feelings)

Foreshadowing

• Clues the author gives you to tell you what will happen in the story.

Flashback

• The setting of a story changes to an earlier time.

Symbolism

• When an object or picture represents something else.

Irony• When what happens is different

from what is expected. (A thief is robbed, or a teacher is afraid of children)

Narrator

• Person telling the story.

Point of view

• The view of who is telling the story.

• 3 types- 1st person, 3rd person, and 3rd person omniscient.

3 types of point of view• 1st

person- the voice telling the story is a character in the story.

• 3rd person- The voice telling the story is not part of the story.

• 3rd person omniscient- The voice telling the story is not part of the story but can tell the reader inner thoughts and feelings of the main character.

Dialogue

• Two or more people speaking together.

Figurative Language

• Language that is not meant to be interpreted literally.

• Ex. You are driving me up a wall.

Imagery

• Language that appeals to the five senses.

Simile

• Ex. It is as hot as an oven in here.

• A comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as”.

Metaphor

• A comparison of two unlike things by saying one is the other.• The Grinch’s heart was a lump of coal.

Personification

Human characteristics are given to animals or objects.

Ex. The leaves were dancing across the ground

Onomatopoeia

Words that sound like their meaning.

Ex)Zip, zoom, boom.

AlliterationThe repetition of consonant sounds