Literary Terms Definitions
1. plot
the sequence of events in a story
2. exposition
in the plot structure, sets the tone, establishes setting, introduces the characters, and gives the
reader important background information
3. conflict
a struggle between opposing forces (person vs. person, person vs. self, person vs. society, person
vs. fate, person vs. nature, and person vs. technology)
4. internal conflict
a struggle that occurs within a character
5. external conflict
a character pitted against an outside force (person, society, fate, or nature)
6. rising action
events in a story that move the plot along by adding complications or expanding the conflict
7. climax
the turning point of the piece – the protagonist makes a key decision or revelation that changes
the direction of the story.
8. falling action
in the plot structure, the conflicts begin to be resolved.
9. resolution
loose ends of story are tied up
10. theme
the universal message in a work of literature – a perception about life or human nature
11. characterization
12. round character
methods a writer uses to develop characters: describe a character’s physical appearance,
character’s nature revealed through their own speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions, the speech,
thoughts, feelings, or actions of other characters, or the narrator can make direct comments about
aa character.
more in depth representation of a character – multi-dimensional
13. flat character
a character that we are only given a surface representation – one-dimensional
14. dynamic
15. character
static character
a character that undergoes changes as the plot unfolds
16. irony
the difference between expectation and reality
17. dramatic irony
a type of irony where the reader or viewer knows something that a character does not know.
18. situational irony
the contrast between what a reader or character expects and what actually exists or happens
19. verbal irony
when someone knowingly exaggerates or says one thing and means another
rd
a character who remains the same
20. 3 person
omniscient POV
the story is told by a narrative voice outside the action, not by one of the characters, and the
narrator is all-knowing. Narrator uses: he, she, they, them, their, etc.
21. 3rd person
limited POV
the story is told by a narrative voice outside the action, not by one of the characters, and the
narrator is able to see into the minds of one or more characters. Narrator uses: he, she, they,
them,
their, etc.
the narrator
is a character in the story – uses: I, me, we, us, our
22. 1st person POV
23. figurative
24. language
metaphor
language that communicates ideas beyond the ordinary, literal meanings of works.
25. personification
a figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to an object, animal, or idea
26. simile
a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things using like, as or resembles
27. symbolism
a person, a place, an activity, or an object that stands for something beyond itself
28. mood
the feeling or atmosphere that the writer creates for the reader
29. imagery
consists of descriptive words and phrases that re-create sensory experiences for the reader –
appeals to sight, hearing, smell, taste, and/or touch
30. foreshadowing
the writer’s use of hints or clues to indicate events and situations that will occur later in the plot
a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that are basically unlike but that
have something in common