Literary Terms

Define TRAGIC FLAW:

• comparison of two things alike in some respect

• personal weakness that causes the fall of a character

• well known reference from history or literature

• a category of literature

Define POINT OF VIEW

• author's attitude toward reader or subject

• presenting a hint at events to occur

• perspective from which a story is told

• central message, idea of a literary work

Define PLOT

• series of events in a literary work

• seemingly contradictory statement

• creation of figures in a literary work

• speech delivered by one character alone on stage

Define CONFLICT:

• writing/speech not meant to be taken literally

• struggle between opposing forces

• comparison of two things alike in some repsect

• difference between appearance and reality; a twist

Define TONE:

• highest point of action in a literary work

• atmosphere, emotion created in the reader

• a work in which each element symbolizes something

• author's attitude toward a reader or subject

Define IRONY

• well known reference from history or literature

• language that creates a vivid representation

• difference between appearance and reality; a twist

• creation of figures in a literary work

Define PERSONIFICATION:

• giving non human objects human qualities

• struggle between opposing forces

• presenting a hint at events to occur

• a category of literature

Define ONOMATOPOEIA:

• series of events in a literary work

• giving non human items human qualities

• a word whose sound indicates its meaning

• time and place in which a story occurs

Define CHARACTERIZATION:

• creation of figures in a literary work

• writing/speech not meant to be taken literally

• presenting a hint at events to occur

• highest point of action in a story

Define ANALOGY

• a word whose sound indicates its meaning

• comparison of two things a like in some respect

• difference between appearance and reality; a twist

• struggle between opposing forces