Literature Terms-Fiction
1. short story: a brief fictional work—usually contains one major conflict and at least one main
character.
2. novel: a lengthy fictional story with a plot that is revealed by the speech, action, and thoughts of the
characters.
3. science fiction: fiction that is based upon real or possible scientific developments.
4. fantasy: a type of fiction that has imaginary worlds and magical or supernatural events.
5. mood: the feeling that the writer wants the reader to get from a work of literature.
6. tone: the overall feeling, or effect, created by a writer’s use of words. This may be serious, mockserious, humorous, satiric, etc.
7. setting: the time and place of action in a story.
8. plot: The action or sequence of events that occur in a story.
9. rising action: the tension that builds as a result of the conflict.
10. suspense: the growing feeling of anxiety and excitement that makes the reader curious about the
outcome of the story.
11. climax: the highest point of interest (or turning point) in a story; usually the most intense.
12. falling action: occurs after the climax in a work of fiction or drama and lead to the denouement or
resolution.
13. resolution/denouement- part of the story where the problem is solved.
14. theme: the statement about life a particular work is trying to get across to the reader; the lesson that
the story teaches.
15. implied theme: the lesson that is suggested by the other elements in the story.
16. stated theme: the lesson that is expressed directly in the work.
17. point of view/narrator: the person who is telling the story.
1st person- I, me, our, we, my, etc.
2nd person- you, you all, y'all, etc.
3rd person- he, she, they, them, proper names
limited- limited information (generally one perspective or only what is seen.)
omniscient- knows thoughts of any/all characters, what is seen, etc.
18. characterization: the techniques a writer uses to create and develop a character.
19. characters: the people or animals about whom the story is told.
20. protagonist: the main character or hero in a story.
21. villain/antagonist: the person or thing opposing the protagonist, (this is the “bad guy”)
22. motivation: the motive(s) that urge a character to act or do certain things.
23. static character: a character that does not experience change during the course of the story.
24. dynamic character: a character that does experience change during the course of the story, often
learning a lesson and changing outlook.
25.hero: character in a story who has a special gift or strength, demonstrates strong character or has
other admirable quality(ies).
26. flat character: (also known as a type, or a two-dimensional character) is defined by a single quality
without much individualizing detail.
27. round character: a character with many qualities/details to their personality.
28. dialect: the form of language as it is spoken among a certain group of people, (generation, region,
etc.)
29. connotation: implied meaning of a word. (opposite of denotation.)
30. denotation: literal meaning of a word, the dictionary meaning. (opposite of connotation.)
31. conflict: the struggle between opposing forces.
internal conflict- conflict that occurs within the character's mind
external conflict- conflict that occurs outside of the main character
1. man vs. man
2. man vs. nature
3. man vs. society
32. foreshadowing: giving hints or clues of what is to come later in a story.
33. flashback: returning to an earlier time for the purpose of making something in the present more
clear.
34. irony: the contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens.
dramatic: the reader knows information that characters in the story do not.
situational: when the opposite occurs in a story than is expected (ex. surprise twist)
35. figurative language: non-literal use of words and/or phrases (figures of speech)
1. simile: a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that uses the words like or as.
(ex. You look like a million bucks.
2. metaphor: a figure of speech comparing two unlike things (yet share a common
characteristic); does not use like or as.
(ex. You are a bull in a china shop.
3. personification: a figure of speech in which inhuman objects are given human characteristics.
(ex. The flowers waved to me from the field.
4. hyperbole: a figure of speech in which an exaggeration is made for emphasis or humorous
effect.
(ex. She was so tall that she could hang the moon.
5. idiom: a nonliteral meaning of a word of phrase
(ex. To “kick the bucket” means to die, not to kick a bucket.)
6. pun: figure of speech that is a play on words (humorous)
(ex. I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.
36. symbol: using an object or action that means something more than its literal meaning.
37. slogan: catch phrase used to advertise something.
38. allusion: a brief reference to a person, event, or place, real or fictitious, or to a work of art.
39. allegory: an symbolic narrative (similar to fable or parable)