English 2 Literary Terms DEFINITIONS

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Conflict

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The struggle between two or more situations that cannot exist at the same time in the same place.

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Irony

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The accidental opposite result to an action by a character.

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Connotation

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The 'understood' or agreed meaning, not the 'literal' or actual definition of the phrase.

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Foreshadowing

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Literally the 'mark ahead' wording that tips the reader about something that will happen in the future.

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Flashback

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The 'look back' at events that took place and which were important to what is happening in the 'current' situation of a story.

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Euphemism

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A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.

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Symbol

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An object, character, figure, or color used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

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Juxtaposition

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The act of placing two or more ideas, characters, or settings side by side for the purpose of developing comparisons and contrasts.

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Foil

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A character who contrasts with another character, usually the protagonist, to highlight particular qualities of the other character.

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Tragedy

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A dramatic composition, often in verse, dealing with a serious or somber theme, typically involving a great person destined to experience downfall.