Literary Terms

Front

The character or force in opposition to the main character(s) is called the ________.

Back

Antagonist: The character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict in the story.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Front

To make a logical guess or assumption based on evidence from a text.

Back

Inference: A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Front

The main character(s) who faces the conflict in a narrative.

Back

Protagonist: The central character in a story, often facing challenges and conflicts.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Front

A look back to an earlier event is called a ______.

Back

Flashback: A literary device that interrupts the chronological flow of a narrative to provide background information.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

A problem or struggle between two opposing forces in any piece of literature.

Back

Conflict: The central struggle between opposing forces that drives the plot.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Front

A recurring idea or message in a literary work.

Back

Theme: The underlying message or main idea that the author wants to convey.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Front

The use of descriptive language to create vivid images in the reader's mind.

Back

Imagery: Language that appeals to the senses and helps the reader visualize scenes.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Front

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally.

Back

Hyperbole: A figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration for emphasis or effect.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A

Front

A hint or clue about what will happen later in the story.

Back

Foreshadowing: A literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

The perspective from which a story is told.

Back

Point of View: The vantage point from which the narrative is presented, such as first-person or third-person.

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6