Literary Terms Flashcards

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Paraphrase

Back

A detail-by-detail retelling.

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Summary

Back

A condensed form of the original text made up of only the main details.

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Foreshadow

Back

Clues hinting at future events.

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Cause and Effect

Back

The direct relationship between an action or event and its consequence or result.

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Direct characterization

Back

The author explicitly describes a character’s traits.

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Indirect characterization

Back

The author shows a character’s traits through actions, dialogue, thoughts, and interactions with others.

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Flat Character

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Simple and one-dimensional.

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Static Character

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Stay the same throughout the story.

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Situational Irony

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When the opposite of what you would expect to happen, happens.

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Verbal Irony

Back

When the character says something but means the opposite.