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.8.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

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.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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