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Bare Bones Definitions of
Literary Terms
(not including genre definitions)
SECTION I (DAY 1)
Acronym:
an abbreviation that makes a word
Alliteration:
the repetition of initial (beginning) consonant sounds
Allusion:
a writer's reference to a well-known literary work, historic period or
chart actor, popular person, etc.
Analogy:
a comparison used to show similarities in relationships
Anecdote:
a brief story used to illustrate a point
Antagonist-.
the person or force that is causing conflict for the main character
(protagonist)
Apostrophe:
when a writer or character speaks to someone or something that doesn't
really exist or is not present
Archetypes:
recognizable types of settlngs, characters, themes, plot patterns, etc.
that occur in several stories
Assonance:
the repetition of words with similar vowel sounds and different ending
consonant sounds
Basic situation:
the main character, setting, and conflict introduced at the beginning of
a story
Blank verse:
unrhymed, iambic pentameter
Cacophony:
harsh sounds in poetry
Caricature:
writing that exaggerates the humorous characteristics of a character
Catharsis:
a powerful emotional experience by the reader in response to the events
in a story
Circular journey:
a character begins In one location, travels to different locations, &
then return to the original location
Cliche:
an expression or saying that is ineffective because it has been overused
Climax:
the most emotionally exciting part of the plot where the reader begins to
see how the story may end
Colloquialism-
local expression understood only by those from that location
Comedy:
light-hearted, humorous elements in a story
Complication:
the part of the plot where the main character begins to take steps to
overcome/ confront his conflict
Conceit:
fancy concept/idea in poetry
Conflict:
struggle between two opposing forces
Connotation:
the emotions and/or memories connected to a word-the subjective,
emotional meaning of a word
Consonance:
the repetition of words with different vowel sounds and similar ending
consonant sounds
Couplet:
two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme
Denotation:
the objective, dictionary meaning of a word
Dialect:
a version of a language
Dialogue:
a conversation between people
Diction:
a writer's word choice
Direct characterization:
when the author uses explicit statements/details to provide a character
description
SECTION 2 (DAY 2)
Dissonance:
sounds in poetry that do not seem to fit or seem to "conflict" with what
is expected or pleasant
Dramatic irony:
occurs when the reader knows important Information that the character
does not know
Dynamic character:
a character that develops or changes throughout a story
Epithet:
an unique descriptive title given to a character that indicates
something about that character
Euphemism:
when something is said or described in a 'kinder' or milder way in order
to avoid offending someone
External conflict:
a struggle with an 'outside'/opposing force
Figurative language:
language not meant to be taken literally
Flashback:
occurs when the action stops and the reader is returned to a previous
time period/event
Flat character.
a character about which the reader knows/learns very little
Folklore:
legends, characters, customs, etc. that suggest things about a certain
culture, time period, or group
Foreshadowing:
hints given to the reader that suggest what may happen in the future of
the story
Free verse:
poetry without a particular pattern of rhyme or rhythm
Historical setting:
the details of the setting that deal with the particular historical time
period
Humor:
light-hearted events and material within a story intended to bring about
Iaughter
Hyperbole:
an extreme exaggeration
Idiom:
a popular expression not meant to be taken literally, that cannot be
translated to another language
Imagery:
writing
that appeals to the senses
In medias res:
occurs when a story starts In the middle of the action
Indirect characterization: a
character is described “indirectly” through actions, comments, opinions,
responses, etc.
Inference:
a conclusion drawn based on facts presented or gathered
Innuendo:
a suggested or sometimes “hidden” meaning
Intermediary:
a person who functions as a “mediator” between two people or groups of
people
Internal conflict:
a personal struggle within a character
Intrigue:
complications in the plot that serve to create suspense
Linear journey:
when a character
begins the story in one place and then ends the story in another place
Local color:
specific details that are unique characteristics of certain area/location
Metaphor:
a direct comparison not using like, as, or than
Metaphoric slang:
a metaphor that involves non-standard or regional slang
Mode:
a type of writing
SECTION 3 (DAY 3)
Monologue:
a long speech given by a character in the presence and hearing of other
characters
Mood:
the feeling the reader has during a piece of literature and/or the
atmosphere of a piece of literature
Motivation:
the reason(s)/desire(s) driving/fueling a character's actions
Narrator:
the “person" used by the author to tell the story to the reader
Onomatopoeia:
a word whose sound suggests/cornmunicates its meaning
Oxymoron:
a close combining of opposite terms or words to create an ironic effect
Paradox:
an apparently contradictory statement that only makes sense after further
study/examination
Parallel structure:
the repetition of a grammatical pattern for a desired effect
Personification:
giving a non-human/inanimate object human characteristics
Poetry:
compact, highly imaginative language that effectively utilizes imagery
and figurative language
Point of view:
the vantage point/perspective from which the story is told (the narrator)
1st:
the N is a character in the story, telling the story from his/her
perspective
3rd L:
the N is a character/voice outside the story; info. is limited to his/her
knowledge
3rd O:
the N Is a character/voice outside the story; info. is expanded to more
than one character's knowledge
Primary character:
any character in the story whose presence is crucial to the plot
Prose:
any writing other than poetry
Protagonist:
the central character in a story on whom the story focuses
Pseudonym:
a false name or pen name
Pun:
a humorous twist or “play” on various words' similar sounds and meanings
Quatrain:
a four-line stanza in poetry
Resolution:
the part of the plot where rnost/all of the conflicts are settled or
completed
Rhetorical question:
a question asked for effect, not meant to actually be answered
Rhyme:
similar vowel and/or consonant sounds between two or more syllables
and/or words
Rhythm:
a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that create a 'beat" or
rhythmic 'feet'
Round character:
an interesting character with much description given about him/her
Sarcasm:
disguising criticism as praise--intended criticism that “'appears” to be
praise
Satire:
a humorous mocking or ridiculing of a person, group, idea, etc. that has
a more serious intent
Scenario:
a basic description of what is happening or has happened up to this point
Secondary character: a character who adds some depth/interest to the plot but is
not crucial to its existence
Sentimentality:
the use of various "predictable/cliche" techniques to bring about an
emotional response in a reader
Sestet:
a six-line stanza
Setting:
the time period and the location
in which a story takes place
SECTION 4 (DAY 4)
Simile:
a comparison using like, as, or than
Situational Irony:
an unexpected event--an interesting surprise/coincidence
Soliloquy:
a long speech given by a character while alone an stage
Sound:
the use of consonants, vowels, rhythm, and rhyme to create “sound/noise"
in writing
Speaker:
the person who is doing the talking/speaking in a poem
Spoonerism:
the intentional/accidental rearranging of initial consonant sounds for a
humorous effect
Stage directions:
directions given to actor regarding what to do, how to act, and/or where
to go while on stage
Stanza:
a group of words in a poem/song that convey/communicate a complete
thought
Static characters
a character that stays the same throughout a story
Stereotype:
a representative for a certain type of person or group of people
Stream of consciousness: a style of writing which seeks to duplicate thoughts as
they actually occur in the mind
Style:
the "way” a writer writes---involves syntax, sentence structure, tone,
and diction
Subplot:
a minor/less important story line within the major story
Suspense:
the feeling of fear or anticipation a reader gets when he/she wonders
what will happen next
Symbol:
someone/something that represents a thing, a person, an idea, a theme, a
group, etc.
Symbolism:
the use of symbols to convey meaning
Technical allusion:
the reference to well-known technical jargon or technical devices
Tercet:
a three-line stanza
Theme:
a statement, message, or idea that a writer hopes to communicate through
the story
Tone:
the author's attitude toward the subject(s) in the literature
Tragic hero:
a character of high standing who experiences great tragedy because
of a character flaw
Travesty:
handling/treating/discussing an honorable/respected topic/person in a
dishonorable/disrespectful way
Understatement:
an expression/observation that is less intense than what appears to be
reality
Unity:
a sense of completion/continuity in a piece of literature
Universality: the
amount of relevance/appeal a piece of literature has to a large audience
Verbal irony:
when something is said and something opposite/near opposite is meant
Villain:
the evil person in a piece of literature who seeks to bring about
destruction or despair
Voice:
the voice of the speaker in the poem/piece of literature
Wit:
brief, quick, intelligent/thought-provoking humor
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