Glossary of Literary Terms 2

A comparison between two unlike things using like or as

• simile

• sensory language

• rising action

• metaphor

The perspective from which a story is told, 1st person 2nd Person, 3rd Person

• rising action

• plot

• falling action

• perspective

The central idea, message, or lesson of a work

• personification

• theme

• resolution

• point of view

A struggle between two opposing forces

• conflict

• third person limited

• climax

• static character

Words or information that appeal to the five senses

• sensory language

• indirect characterization

• direct characterization

• foreshadowing

A character struggles with forces outside of self

• dynamic character

• static character

• external conflict

• internal conflict

A character struggles with his or her own needs, desires, or emotions

• external conflict

• internal conflict

• point of view

• plot

A character that stays the same throughout the story

• resolution

• dynamic character

• static character

• internal conflict

A character who changes throughout the story

• dynamic character

• internal conflict

• falling action

• exposition

The sequence of events that make up a story

• exposition

• plot

• climax

• resolution