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English 10 Honors Literary Terms

Terms in this set (49)

Allegory
A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning.
Alliteration
Uses same beginning letter in words constantly.
Allusion
An expression to call something to mind without mentioning it.
Antagonist
The "bad guy" in a story or situation.
Aphorism
A "saying" that contains a general truth.
Bildungsroman
A novel dealing with one person's formative.
Characterization
Creating characters for a narrative.
Climax
The "exciting part" of a story.
Colloquial Language
Used in normal conversation- not a very formal tone of voice.
Connotation
An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its meaning.
Denotation
The literal meaning of a word.
Denouement
The final part of a play, book, movie, etc, in which the plot is drawn and everything is resolved.
Dialogue
Talking between two or more individuals.
Diction
The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.
Doppelganger
An apparation of double of a living person.
Euphemism
A mid/indirect word substituted for one too blunt or harsh for something unpleasant.
Exposition
Comprehensive description of an idea or theory.
Flashback
A scene in a book, movie, play, etc set in a time in order to highlight particular qualities of the other.
Foreshadowing
A warning/indication of a future event.
Hyperbole
Very exaggerated.
Idiom
A group of words established by usage ashaving a meaning.
Imagery
Visually descriptive words.
Irony (verbal, dramatic)
Expression of one's meaning by using language that signifies the opposite. (sarcasm)
Metaphor
Not using like or as.
Metonymy
The substitution of name of subject it is meant. (suit-business executive)
Mood
The feeling of the book, movie, play, etc.
Motif
Element that has symbolic significance in a story.
Onomatopoeia
Words that represent sounds. (pop, bang, boom)
Oxymoron
2 opposite words together.
Paradox
Statement that seems absurd but really expresses a possible truth.
Parody
Imitation of style of writer, artist, or genre with exaggeration.
Personification
Describing something with human characteristics to something unhuman.
Plot
Problem or evil plan in a story.
Point of View
Attitude or way of considering a matter.
Prose
Written or spoken language in ordinary form with out metallic structure
Protagonist
The "good guy" in a story or situation.
Pseudonym
A fictitous name.
Pun
Joke with different meanings.
Rising Action
Building up to climax.
Round Character/ Flat Character
Multiple personalities.
Satire
Humor to criticize people's mistakes or stupidity.
Setting
Where the story takes place.
Simile
Using like or as.
Speaker
A person who speaks.
Static Character/ Dynamic Character
Undergoes little or no change.
Symbol
Represents something, often to great meaning.
Synecdoche
Word used to represent all of the whole or vice versa.
Theme
Subject of a talk of book or person's thoughts.
Tone
Attitude of story.
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