1st person point of view – the events are told by a character in the story.
2nd period point of view – the events are told directly to you about the story
3rd person point of view – the events are told by someone outside the story.
alliteration - the repetition of similar initial consonant sounds in order to create a musical or rhythmic
effect, to emphasize key words or to imitate sounds.
Example: “He was reluctant to return to the room.”
allusion – a reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art, often
used to help make a comparison.
analogy – comparison based on resemblance of some parts of otherwise unlike things
Example: a pilot is to an airplane as a teacher is to a classroom.
analyze – the practice of looking at all the small parts to see how they affect the whole.
antagonist – the central or leading character’s chief opponent. Often referred to as the “villain” by the audience.
anthropomorphic – giving human characteristics and or emotions to animals.
antonym – words that have the opposite meaning.
biography – a form of non-fiction in which a writer tells the life story of another person.
central idea – the unifying element that ties all the other elements of fiction together to tell the story. It is a
universal truth.
character - refers to what someone is like – what their qualities are.
(Someone’s character refers to their character traits.)
character trait – the quality of a character; what a character is like.
claim – make an argument to support a position. Different reasons are often used for support.
climax – the highest point of action in a story, often the turning point.
compare – a literary device in which a writer compares two or more people, places, things, or ideas.
concrete – something that is real, not abstract; able to be experienced with the five senses.
connotation – an additional meaning suggested by a word or expression in addition to its exact meaning.
context clues – hints that the author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word.
contrast – a literary device where the author describes the differences between two or more entities.
denotation – the specific meaning of words.
direct characterization – the writer directly states the character’s traits or characteristics.
dynamic character – a character who changes over the course of a story.
evidence – facts that prove or disprove something.
explicit – fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated; described or shown in realistic detail.
external conflict – a problem or struggle between a character and an outside force:
character vs. character
character vs. group
character vs. nature
character vs. society
character vs. fate
fable - a brief story, usually with animal characters, that teaches a lesson or a moral.
fact – provable, observable or measurable truth or non-truth.
fiction – writing that tells about imaginary characters and events.
figurative language – word or phrase that means something non-literal. It can be a simile, alliteration,
personification etc.
flashback – a section that interrupts the sequence of events in order to relate an earlier incident or
set of events.
foreshadowing – an author’s use of hints or clues to give a reader an idea of what may happen next.
free-verse - poetry that has irregular lines and may or may not rhyme.
generalization – a vague or indefinite statement that is made to cover many cases.
Example: “All human beings hope for something.”
hyperbole – use of extreme exaggeration.
idiom - a word or phrase which means something different from what it says – it is usually a metaphor. An idiom
is an expression peculiar to a certain group of people and/or used only under certain circumstances.
imagery – words or phrases that appeal to one or more of the five senses and help to create a
vivid description for the reader.
implicit – implied rather than directly or expressly stated.
indirect characterization – the writer allows the reader to draw his/her conclusions as to what a character is like,
based on the appearances, words, actions, or interactions with other characters.
inference – a logical conclusion drawn by the reader based on available information.
internal conflict – a problem within a character (character vs. self).
irony – a situation where the opposite of what is expected to occur or exist does occur or exist.
metaphor - a figure of speech in which something is described as if it were something else; without using “like”
or “as”.
mood – the atmosphere or feeling an author creates within the piece of writing.
moral – a lesson taught by a literary work.
motif – an image, sound, action, or figure that has symbolic significance and explains the theme.
motivation – a reason that explains or partially explains a character’s thoughts, feelings, actions, or speech.
mythological – having to do with stories dealing with gods, heroes, and monsters.
myth – a traditional story about a hero and his rite of passage; it may use true to life details.
narrative – writing or speech that tells a story.
narrative poetry – poetry that tells a story.
narrator – the speaker or character who is telling the story.
non-fiction - writing that tells about real people, places, objects, or events.
objective details – details that are factual and true to life.
opinion – a personal belief or judgment that does not founded on proof.
oxymoron – the close placement of words having opposite or near opposite meanings in order to create a unique
description.
parable – a short tale that illustrates a universal truth, a belief that appeals to all people of all Civilizations.
personification – a type of figurative language in which a non-human subject is given human characteristics.
plot – the sequence of events in a literary work.
plot twist – a radical change in the suspected direction or outcome of the plot, usually adds a surprising revelation.
poetry – a short piece of writing that often uses rhyming, similar sounds, symbolism, and meter to evoke meaning.
Examples: sonnet, Haiku, blank verse, sestina, villanelle, limerick etc.
point of view – the perspective from which a story is told.
protagonist – central, leading character. Often call the “hero” by the audience.
pun – a humorous play on words.
repetition – the repeated use of words or phrases in order to emphasize a point.
resolution – the events that occur in the falling action of a story’s plot.
rhymes – words that have the same ending sound.
setting – the time and location of the events described in a literary work.
simile – a comparison between two things, using “like” or “as”.
speaker – the imaginary voice assumed by the writer of a poem, who describing the events in a poem.
stanza – a group of lines in a poem.
static character – a character who does not undergo a change over the course of a story.
subject - what the story or poem is about (the topic).
subjective details – details that reveal the author’s feelings, attitudes, or judgments.
supporting details – helps the reader understand the central idea. They clarify, illuminate, illustrate, and expand.
symbol /symbolism – anything that stands for or represents something else.
synonym – words with similar meanings.
theme – a central message, idea, or concern that expressed in a literary work.
tone – the attitude of an author toward the subject that he/she is writing about.