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