Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Essential Literary TermsEssential Literary Terms
M. Groome
English Language Arts
Delta High School
Note: I don’t claim that these definitions (or list) are perfect. Please contact me if you have suggestions for revisions.
M. Groome
English Language Arts
Delta High School
Note: I don’t claim that these definitions (or list) are perfect. Please contact me if you have suggestions for revisions.
Suggestions for UseSuggestions for Use
Treat these slides as flash cards. Try to write/say the definition before viewing the
next slide. Pause each slide for as long as you need to read,
understand, copy, etc. Rewind and play this presentation as much as you
need. Make these terms meaningful by relating them to
examples from books, films, poetry, songs, etc. that you know.
Treat these slides as flash cards. Try to write/say the definition before viewing the
next slide. Pause each slide for as long as you need to read,
understand, copy, etc. Rewind and play this presentation as much as you
need. Make these terms meaningful by relating them to
examples from books, films, poetry, songs, etc. that you know.
protagonistprotagonist
the character who drives the action,
usually the hero/female hero
the character who drives the action,
usually the hero/female hero
antagonistantagonist
the character/force who obstructs the
protagonist or gets in the
protagonist’s way
the character/force who obstructs the
protagonist or gets in the
protagonist’s way
settingsetting
the story’s time and location
the story’s time and location
tonetone
the author’s attitude toward the subject
the author’s attitude toward the subject
moodmood
the way the text makes the reader
feel
the way the text makes the reader
feel
point of view (POV)
point of view (POV)
the perspective from which the story is
narrated
the perspective from which the story is
narrated
first person point of view
first person point of view
the narrator is a character (uses first
person pronouns)
the narrator is a character (uses first
person pronouns)
third person omniscient
point of view
third person omniscient
point of view
the narrator is not a character and knows
the thoughts and actions of more than
one character (godlike, all-knowing)
the narrator is not a character and knows
the thoughts and actions of more than
one character (godlike, all-knowing)
third person limited
point of view
third person limited
point of view
the narrator is not a character and knows the thoughts and actions of one character (narrates
from one character’s perspective)
the narrator is not a character and knows the thoughts and actions of one character (narrates
from one character’s perspective)
plotplot
the framework of events that make up a
story (exposition, rising action,
climax, falling action, resolution/denouement)
the framework of events that make up a
story (exposition, rising action,
climax, falling action, resolution/denouement)
expositionexposition
the background information readers
need to know to understand the story (usually found at the
beginning)
the background information readers
need to know to understand the story (usually found at the
beginning)
rising actionrising action
the events that build up to the story’s
climax
the events that build up to the story’s
climax
climaxclimax
the emotional high point of the story, the
turning point, the point at which the
reader knows how the story will end
the emotional high point of the story, the
turning point, the point at which the
reader knows how the story will end
falling actionfalling action
the events that lead away from the story’s
climax toward the resolution/
denouement
the events that lead away from the story’s
climax toward the resolution/
denouement
resolution or denouementresolution or denouement
the point at which the conflict is resolved, all the story’s loose
ends are tied up
the point at which the conflict is resolved, all the story’s loose
ends are tied up
conflictconflict
the force that provides a challenge for the
protagonist (man v. man/self/
society/nature)
the force that provides a challenge for the
protagonist (man v. man/self/
society/nature)
themetheme
the text’s message, the central idea, not a
cliché, not the text’s subject
the text’s message, the central idea, not a
cliché, not the text’s subject
foreshadowingforeshadowing
hints of what is to come later in the
story
hints of what is to come later in the
story
flashbackflashback
narration that provides information about an
event that has occurred before the story begins
narration that provides information about an
event that has occurred before the story begins
symbolsymbol
something that represents not only
itself but something else, usually something
larger than itself
something that represents not only
itself but something else, usually something
larger than itself
metaphormetaphor
a comparison of two unlike things without
using “like,” “as,” “than,” or
“resembles”
a comparison of two unlike things without
using “like,” “as,” “than,” or
“resembles”
similesimile
a comparison of two unlike things using
“like,” “as,” “than,” or “resembles”
a comparison of two unlike things using
“like,” “as,” “than,” or “resembles”
personificationpersonification
giving human qualities to
nonhuman things
giving human qualities to
nonhuman things
onomatopoeiaonomatopoeia
words that sound like what they mean
words that sound like what they mean
alliterationalliteration
repeating (consonant) sounds in close progression for stylistic effect
repeating (consonant) sounds in close progression for stylistic effect
repetitionrepetition
repeating words, phrases, or clauses for stylistic effect
repeating words, phrases, or clauses for stylistic effect
hyperbolehyperbole
extreme exaggeration for stylistic effect
extreme exaggeration for stylistic effect
imageryimagery
language that appeals to the senses
language that appeals to the senses
oxymoronoxymoron
two words that mean the opposite but have
new meaning when placed together
two words that mean the opposite but have
new meaning when placed together
allusionallusion
a reference to something that exists
outside the world of the text (history, literature,
religion, pop culture, etc.)
a reference to something that exists
outside the world of the text (history, literature,
religion, pop culture, etc.)
ironyirony
a twist, when the opposite of what you
expect happens
a twist, when the opposite of what you
expect happens
