Literary Terms

Language that communicates ideas beyond the ordinary, literal meaning of words.◦ **things do not mean what the words actually say◦ Examples: metaphor, simile, idiom,

personification, etc.

Figurative Language

A comparison between two objects; often says that one thing is another.◦ Ex: He is a bear on the football field!

Metaphor

A comparison between two objects using "like", "as", or "than".◦ Ex: She is as quick as a cat!

Simile

The repetition of the initial consonant sound.◦ Ex: Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore

Alliteration

A reference to someone or something in history or literature.◦ Ex: But I'll be hood forever

I'm the new Sinatra And since I made it here

Allusion

Giving human qualities or characteristicsto animals or objects.◦ Ex: The pen danced across the paper

Personification

Extreme exaggeration for effect.◦ Ex: It took me “FOREVER” to finish the project!

Hyperbole

An expression common to a certain group of people.◦ Ex: Don’t bite off more than you can chew.

Idiom

The character who opposes the hero; provides the story’s conflict◦ Ex: the wolf in “The Three Little Pigs”

Antagonist

the main character in a story, novel, drama, or other literary work; the character that the reader or audience empathizes with◦ Jack in “Jack and the Beanstalk”

Protagonist

1st person-story is being told by a character within the story (I, we, us)

2nd person-speaking to “you”; often as in a letter or directions

3rd person limited-outside narrator; reader is informed of all ACTIONS of characters and thoughts of 1character

3rd person omniscient – narrator is all-knowing; reader is informed of all thoughts and actions of characters

Point of View

Hints or clues as to what is going to happen later in a story◦ Example: In “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” - the

description of Brom’s horse Daredevil that mentions he is full of mischief and mettle just like his owner

◦ (hints that the horse and rider are/will be up to something)

Foreshadowing

the use of words and phrases to create a mental picture◦ Example: There was a tree at that corner, a

straight but little tree with slim branches and shiny dark leaves. – from “The Osage Orange Tree”

Imagery

Characterization is the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.

◦ Stated Characterization tells the audience what the personality of the character is. Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both

well mannered and did not disobey their mother.”

◦ Implied Characterization shows things that reveal the personality of a character.

Characterization

◦ There are five different methods of implied characterization: Speech: What does the character say? How does the

character speak? Thoughts: What is revealed through the character’s

private thoughts and feelings? Effect on others toward the character: What is revealed

through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?

Actions: What does the character do? How does the character behave?

Looks: What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

Characterization continued…

Are uncomplicated and do not change throughout the course of a work◦ Example: Injun Joe

Flat Characters

are complex and undergo development/ change◦ sometimes extreme changes to surprise the

reader◦ Example: Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn

Round Characters

something which represents something else besides itself◦ Example:

The dove, with olive branch in beak,Glides over all the landSearching for a place to light.Storms of war linger on every hand,Everywhere the hawk does fight.◦ The dove is a symbol of peace, and the hawk is a

symbol of war. Using them in poetry gives an image without having to explain in detail.

Symbol

Verbal irony: saying something, but meaning the opposite (sarcasm)◦ Example- I LOVE it when people talk as I try to

teach!! Situational irony: the opposite of what was

expected happens◦ Example- the fire house catches on fire

Dramatic irony: where the audience is aware of a situation and the characters are not◦ Example- you see the murderer in the closet, the

young babysitter does not, she goes into the room and …

Irony