Glossary+of+Literary+Terms

// Go to the following site to review some of the most often used literary elements: //

Literary Element Review

// Below is a list of words we will be studying throughout the course of the year: //

**Elements of Fiction** **Character** // : portrayal of the individual // **Dynamic character** // : undergoes change in beliefs/philosophies // **Flat character** // : fulfills one role; only see one facet of // **Round character** // : fulfills many roles; multifaceted // **Static character** // : unchanging // **Character Motivation** // : catalyst; reason for acting // **Conflict** // : struggle between opposing forces // **Exposition** // : introduction/ establishes all info. necessary to understand conflict // **Falling action** // : resolution of conflict // **Foil** // : a mirror character that contrasts or compares another character // **Point of view** // : the position of the speaker // **First person point of view** // : narrator is involved (I, my, we) // **Objective point of view** // : speaker is detached // **Omniscient point of view** // : all-knowing; all-seeing // **Limited point of view** // : restricted view // **Third person point of view** // : narrator is not involved // **Unlimited point of view** // : unrestricted view // **Protagonist** // : the main character/hero; “the good guy” // **Rising action:** // the events leading to the climax // **Subplot** // : a lower, less significant plot coinciding with the main plot //
 * Antagonist **// : the main character opposing protagonist; “bad guy” //
 * Climax **// : turning point of story //
 * Denouement **// : falling action; resolution of conflict //

**Elements of Drama** **Aside** // : character speaks to audience or in undertone to self // **Comedy** // : a drama containing humor, has a happy ending // **Comic relief:** // the interlude used to relieve tension and contrast tragedy // **Crisis** // : the point when tension is highest and the resolution imminent // **Epilogue** // : a summary of events or resolution at the end // **Monologue** // : a long speech made by one character // **Prologue** // : introductions to play, usually includes conflict // **Scene** // : subdivision of play, division of Act //
 * Act **// : the main division of a play //
 * Soliloquy **// : character on stage, alone, speaking to self //

**Anecdote** // : a brief account of or a story about an individual or incident // **Atmosphere** // : the mood and feeling that appeals to extra-sensory as well as sensory perception evokes // **Connotation** // : implied feeling or meaning // **Denotation** // : literal meaning // **Dialect** // : language or manner of speaking specific to one person or area/region // **Dialogue** // : spoken words between characters // **Diction** // : word choice; vocabulary // **Flashback** // : any scene inserted to describe an event that happened at an earlier time // **Imagery** // : use of language to represent objects, actions, feelings, thoughts, ideas // **Invective** // : speech/writing which is denunciatory, abusive, or vituperative // **Inversion** // : the turning of an argument against an opponent; reversal of normal word order of a sentence // **Pun** // : play on words // **Sarcasm** // : harsh or bitter derision or irony; sneering or cutting remark // **Satire** // : use of ridicule in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice // **Slang** // : the common, informal, non-standard speech // **Stream-of-consciousness** // : depicts the flow of inner thoughts and feelings // **Tone** // : the reflection of a writer’s attitude, manner, mood, and moral outlook // **Voice** // : the speaker of a written work //
 * Elements of Style **

**Figures of Speech** **Hyperbole** // : exaggeration for emphasis //
 * Allusion **// : indirect reference //
 * Apostrophe **// : addresses a thing, place, abstract quality, idea, or dead/absent person as if present and capable of understanding //
 * Conceit **// : figurative metaphor, simile, hyperbole, or oxymoron intended to surprise with wit //
 * Euphemism **// : substitution of a mild or pleasant expression for a harsher one //
 * Metaphor **// : comparison of two unlike things in order to further illustrate, explain, or emphasize //
 * Onomatopoeia **// : formation and use of words to imitate sounds //
 * Personification **// : ascribing human characteristics to a non-human object or being //
 * Simile **// : comparison using like or as //
 * Symbol **// : an inanimate object represents a difficult concept, belief, or feeling //

**Form**
 * Essay **// : short literary composition usually analytical or interpretative //
 * Genre **// : classifications; categories //
 * Novel **// : extended piece of prose fiction //
 * Novella **// : expanded short story restricted to a single event or conflict with suspense, unexpected turning point and surprise conclusion //
 * Parable **// : short simple story that paints a moral //
 * Prose **// : direct form of language in ordinary usage //
 * Verse **// : metrical writing //