Literary Terms Cornerstone

Front

Conflict

Back

A struggle or clash between opposing characters, forces, or emotions.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

Diction

Back

An author’s choice of words, phrases, sentence structures, and figurative language that combine to help create meaning and tone.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

Satire

Back

A literary approach that ridicules or examines human vice or weakness.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

Front

Metaphor

Back

The comparison of two unlike things in which no words of comparison (like or as) are used.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

Foreshadowing

Back

Giving hints or clues to the reader of events that will come.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

Imagery

Back

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Front

Simile

Back

A comparison of two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

Irony

Back

A literary device where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Front

Theme

Back

The central idea or underlying message in a literary work.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

Tone

Back

The author's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and style.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B