Name________________________
Literary terms dictionary- Grade 9
This is your dictionary for literary terms from the 9th grade standards for English
education. Complete the definitions along with class discussion and examples
and keep this packet in your notebooks throughout the year!!
1. connotation-Connotations relate not to a word's actual meaning, or denotation,
but rather to the ideas or qualities that are implied by that word. Example-the term
gold refers to the element, but also a standard-depending on how it is used.
2. denotation-the exact meaning of a word, without the feelings or suggestions that
the word may imply. It is the opposite of “connotation”
3. direct characterization -in literature and drama, the method of
character development in which the author simply tells what the
character is like-A direct statement.
4. indirect characterization -the writer reveals information about a character and his
personality through that character's thoughts, words, appearance, and actions, along with
how other characters respond to that character, including what they think and say about
him.
5. setting -the time, place, physical details, and circumstances in which a situation
occurs.
6. point of view -a way the events of a story are conveyed to the reader, it is the
“vantage point” from which the narrative is passed from author to the reader.
7. first person - The story is told in first person ("I"), through the thoughts and
feelings of the narrator, not anyone else's. What reaches the reader is subjective.
So, more important than whether the narrator is a major or minor character is the
narrator's reliability. An unreliable narrator can present a distorted picture of
events; a reliable one can render events with accuracy.
8. 3rd person omniscient- The story is told in the third person ("he," "she," "it") by
a narrator who knows everything about the characters, actions, and events. The
narrator is able to move in time and place, to shift from character to character, and
to reveal or conceal as little or as much as he or she pleases. This type of narrator
is "all knowing."
9. 3rd person limited omniscient - The story is also told in the third person, but
only from the viewpoint of a single character, whether a major or minor one. The
author selects which character to see through, and the narrator is confined to
knowing only the thoughts and actions of that character. Such a character is the
"lens" through which events pass in the story.
10. mood - The atmosphere or emotional condition created by the piece, within the
setting. Mood refers to the general sense or feeling which the reader is supposed
to get from the text; it does not, as a literary element, refer to the author’s or
characters’ state of mind. (Note that mood is a literary element, not a technique;
the mood must therefore be described or identified. It would be incorrect to
simply state, “The author uses mood.”)
11. tone - The apparent emotional state, or “attitude,” of the
speaker/narrator/narrative voice, as conveyed through the language of the piece.
Tone refers only to the narrative voice; not to the author or characters. It must be
described or identified in order to be analyzed properly; it would be incorrect to
simply state, “The author uses tone.”
12. syntax - The sequence in which words are put together to form sentences. In
English, the usual sequence is subject, verb, and object.
13. symbol/symbolism - The use of specific objects or images to represent abstract
ideas. This term is commonly misused, describing any and all representational
relationships, which in fact are more often metaphorical than symbolic. A symbol
must be something tangible or visible, while the idea it symbolizes must be
something abstract or universal. (In other words, a symbol must be something you
can hold in your hand or draw a picture of, while the idea it symbolizes must be
something you can’t hold in your hand or draw a picture of.)
14. genre - a type of literature. We say a poem, novel, story, or other literary work
belongs to a particular genre if it shares at least a few conventions, or standard
characteristics, with other works in that genre.
15. dialect - a form of a language spoken in a particular geographical
area or by members of a particular social class or occupational
group, distinguished by its vocabulary, grammar, and
pronunciation
16. parallel plot - Plots in which each main character has a separate but related
story line that merges in the end.
17. sub plot - A subplot is a secondary story line that is not equal in strength and
intensity to the main plot. It must be relevant to the main plot.
18. word choice -Word Choice is the use of rich, colorful, precise language that
communicates not just in a functional way, but in a way that moves and
enlightens the reader. In descriptive writing, strong word choice resulting in
imagery, especially sensory, show-me writing, clarifies and expands ideas.
19. plot- The organization of events in a work of fiction.
20. exposition - (in a play, novel, etc.) dialogue, description, etc., that
gives the audience or reader the background of the characters
and the present situation.
21. rising action - Rising action is the series of events that lead to the
climax of the story, usually the conflicts or struggles of the
protagonist.
22. climax - The climax is the result of the crisis. It is the high point of the story for
the reader. Frequently, it is the moment of the highest interest and greatest
emotion. The point at which the outcome of the conflict can be predicted.
23. falling action - The events after the climax which end the conflict & closes the
story.
24. denouement or resolution- Rounds out and concludes the action, and brings
everything back to some type of normalcy.
25. conflict- the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to the dramatic action in a
drama or fiction
26. internal conflict- A struggle that takes place in a character's mind is called
internal conflict. For example, a character may have to decide between right and
wrong or between two solutions to a problem. Sometimes, a character must deal
with his or her own mixed feelings or emotions. Man against himself.
27. external conflict- A struggle between a character and an outside force is an
external conflict. Characters may face several types of outside forces. The outside
force may be another character. It may be the character and the community. The
outside force may also be forces of nature. For example, a story might be the main
character struggling against the arctic cold. Man against man. Man against nature
or supernatural.
28. theme- a common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a
literary work. A theme is a thought or idea the author presents to the reader that
may be deep, difficult to understand, or even moralistic. Generally, a theme has to
be extracted as the reader explores the passages of a work. This is the meaning or
value/s the author really us to learn.
29. foreshadowing- is the use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in
literature.
30. flashback- an interruption of the chronological sequence (as of a film or literary
work) of an event of earlier occurrence” (Merriam, 288). A flashback is a
narrative technique that allows a writer to present past events during current
events, in order to provide background for the current narration. By giving
material that occurred prior to the present event, the writer provides the reader
with insight into a character's motivation and or background to a conflict.
31. cliff hanger- a plot device in which a movie, novel, or other work of fiction
contains an abrupt ending, often leaving the main characters in a precarious or
difficult situation, or with a sudden shock revelation. This type of ending is used
to ensure that, if a next installment is made, audiences will return to find out how
the cliffhanger is resolved. The phrase comes from the classical end-of-episode
situation in silent film days, with the protagonist left hanging from the edge of a
cliff. Some serials end with the caveat "To be continued", or "The End?"
32. metaphor- A direct comparison in which one thing is said to be
another.
i.e. The cat's eyes were jewels, gleaming in the darkness.
33. simile- A comparison using the words “like” or “as.”
barreled down the hall like a bowling ball.
i.e. The senior
34. pun- A word is used which has two meanings at the same time,
which results in humor. Used a great deal in Shakespeare. i.e.
soul (inside us) & soul (of our shoe), Sun & Son.
35. hyperbole- A description which exaggerates, usually employing extremes and/or
superlatives to convey a positive or negative attribute; “hype.”
i.e. The author uses hyperbole to describe Mr. Smith, calling him “the
greatest human being ever to walk the earth.”
36. figurative language- Whenever you describe something by comparing it
with something else, you are using figurative language. Any language that
goes beyond the literal meaning of words in order to furnish new effects or
fresh insights into an idea or a subject. The most common figures of
speech are simile, metaphor, and alliteration.
37. imagery- Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or objects
stated in terms of our senses.
38. verbal irony- Where the meaning of a specific expression is, or is intended to
be, the exact opposite of what the words literally mean. (Sarcasm is a tone
of voice that often accompanies verbal irony, but they are not the same
thing.)
Orwell in “1984” gives this torture and brainwashing facility the ironic
title, “Ministry of Love.”
39. situational irony- Where an event occurs which is unexpected, in the sense that
it is somehow in absurd or mocking opposition to what would be expected or
appropriate. Mere coincidence is generally not ironic; neither is mere
surprise, nor are any random or arbitrary occurrences. (Note: Most of the
situations in the
Alanis Morissette song are not ironic at all, which may
actually make the song
ironic in itself.)
40. dramatic irony- Where the audience or reader is aware of something
important, of which the characters in the story are not aware.
Macbeth responds with disbelief when the weird sisters call him Thane of
Cawdor; ironically, unbeknownst to him, he had been granted that title by
king Duncan in the previous scene.
41. alliteration- the repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words.
In cliches: sweet smell of success, a dime a dozen, bigger and better, jump
for joy. Wordsworth: And sings a solitary song That whistles in the wind.
42. assonance-the repetition of vowel sounds but not consonant sounds as in
consonance.
Example:
fleet feet sweep by sleeping geeks.
43. consonance-the repetition of consonant sounds, but not vowels, as in assonance.
Example:
lady lounges lazily , dark deep dread crept in
44. onomatopoeia-a word that imitates the sound it represents.
also imitative harmony
Example:
splash, wow, gush, kerplunk
45. synonym- A word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another
word or phrase in the same language, for example shut is a synonym of close.
46. antonym- A word opposite in meaning to another (e.g., bad and good).
47. dramatic monologue- A literary, usually verse composition in which a speaker
reveals his or her character.
48. soliloquoy- An act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or
regardless of any hearers, esp. by a character in a play.
49. propaganda- Information, esp. of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote
or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.
50. bias- An inclination or preference that influences judgment from being balanced
or even-handed.
51. rhetoric/rhetorical devices- literary device that is intended to emphasize a point,
not to obtain a response.