Literary Terms (1)

​1. Theme

The central idea or message in a work of literature. (A theme is more than one word- it is a sentence or phrase)



Example: A theme in Dr. Seuss's,The Lorax, is "the importance of protecting the environment."

2. Motif

An image, symbol, phrase, or idea that is repeated throughout a text.



Example: (from The Lorax) The thneed, the Truffula Trees.

​3. Mood

The mood is the emotional response or atmosphere the story creates within the reader. The setting, imagery, charcter reactions, and tone help to build the mood.


Examples of MOOD: Eerie, optimistic, cheerful, anxious, romantic, peaceful, excited, fearful, gloomy.

​4. Tone

The attitude conveyed by the narrator's (author's) word choice.




Examples of TONE: Assertive, pessimistic, aggressive, critical, apathetic, optimistic, cheerful, melancholy, persuasive, humorous.

5. Imagery

Vivid descriptions that appeal to the readers'senses.






Examples of Imagery: The waves crashed against the shore, their roar echoing in the distance.
The chocolate melted in her mouth, releasing a rich and velvety flavor.

6. Foreshadowing

A technique used to give an indication or hint as to what will come later.

​7. Flashback

Flashback is a tool used by writers that interrupts a story in order to take audiences back in time to examine past events.






http://www.woodheadpublishing.com/literary-devices/flashback

8. Inference

the process of drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning.








https://www2.mpia-hd.mpg.de/homes/calj/inference.html

9. Symbolism

an image, object, idea or symbol is used to represent something other than its literal meaning.


Example:
-The plant, in Wall-E, symbolizes hope and the power of one small action.

10. Pacing

The speed at which the story is told.

11. Situational Irony

When something happens that is very different from what was expected to happen.


Example- A marriage counselor files for divorce, a firefighter's house burns down, a pilot has a paralyzing fear of heights.

12. Dramatic Irony

The reader knows something that the charater(s) in the story do not.


Example: In the movie, The Lion King, Simba believes he is responsible for his fathers death, but the audience knows that is not true.