Literary Terms

Protagonist
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Terms in this set (23)
Protagonist
the main character in a literary work
Antagonist
a person or force in society or nature that opposes the protagonist in a literary work
Setting
the time and place where the events of a literary work take place
Conflict
the struggle between opposing forces in a story or place

external conflict -a character's struggle with an outside force
man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. society

internal conflict -exists within the mind of a character who is torn between different courses of action
man vs. himself
First person point of view
when a character within the story is narrating using I
Third person point of view
when the narrator is not a character from the story and uses he and she in reference to the characters of a literary work
Plot
the sequence of events in a story
Dialogue
Conversation among characters in a literary work
Flashback
When a story is interrupted to relate an event or conversation from an earlier time
Foreshadowing
An author's use of clues that hint at events that will occur later in the plot
IronyA situation where you expect one thing to happen and something totally different happensSuspenseCuriosity aroused in the reader as to what will happen nextSymbolAn object, a person, a place, or an experience that represents something other than itselfThemeThe main idea or central message of a literary workAllusionIs a literary reference to a familiar person, place, thing, or event.ImageryThe use of words to create a certain picture in the reader's mind.ToneIs the overall feeling, or effect created by the writer's use of words. This feeling may be serious, humorous, or satiric.SatireIs a literary tone used to make fun of human vice or weakness, often with the intent of correcting or changing the subject of the attack.StyleIs how the author uses words, phrases, and sentences to form his or her ideas. Style is also thought of as the qualities or characteristics that distinguish one writer's work from the work of others.Figures of Speechis a literary device used to create a special effect or feeling by making some type of interesting or creative comparison. Hyperbole -is an exaggeration or overstatement. Metaphor -is a comparison of two unlike things in which no word of comparison (like or as) is used. Simile -is a comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as. Understatement -is a way of emphasizing an idea by talking about it in a restrained manner.Idioma phrase or an expression that means something different from what the words actually mean. Piece of cake.Anecdotea brief story used to illustrate or make a point.Analogya comparison of ideas or objects that are completely different but that are alike in one important way.