Literary Terms Flashcards

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allegory

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a literary work in which a simple plot carries a secondary, symbolic meaning; a story that teaches a lesson

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allusion

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an indirect reference to some event, person, place, novel, or artistic work

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alliteration

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the repetition of the same consonants at the start of several words in a row

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antagonist

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the chief rival of the main character; the 'bad guy'

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characterization

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the methods an author uses to create a character

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conflict

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a struggle between two opposing forces

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coming of age story

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a story in which the main character matures, loses their innocence, or enters adulthood

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flashback

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an interruption in the action of a story or play to show a scene or event that happened at an earlier time. These can be dreams, memories, or stories told by the characters.

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foreshadowing

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a hint of what is to come in the future of the story

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hyperbole

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an extreme exaggeration that is used to prove a point