Literary Terms

Front

What is an antagonist?

Back

The character or force that opposes the protagonist, often considered the villain in a story.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

What is situational irony?

Back

A literary device where the opposite of what is expected occurs.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Front

What is a theme in literature?

Back

The moral or message that readers should learn from the story, often revealed through the characters' experiences and the resolution of conflicts.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Front

What is 2nd person point of view?

Back

A narrative perspective that uses 'you' and makes the reader a character in the story.

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Front

What is 3rd person point of view?

Back

A narrative perspective where the narrator is not a character in the story and refers to all characters as 'he' or 'she'.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

What is direct characterization?

Back

The author explicitly describes a character's traits.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Front

What is indirect characterization?

Back

The author reveals a character's personality through their actions, thoughts, and dialogue.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

What is verbal irony?

Back

A figure of speech in which the speaker says one thing but means another, often the opposite.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Front

What is dramatic irony?

Back

A situation in a story where the audience knows more about the events than the characters do.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Front

What is a climax in a story?

Back

The most intense, exciting, or important point of the story, often the turning point.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9