English 2 Literary Terms DEFINITIONS

Some object, person, idea, or situation that carries meaning beyond its "literal" existence.

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Symbol

• Versimilitude

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

• Conflict

• Versimilitude

• Paradox

• Foil

The various sentence structures, sentence lengths, word choices, and word placement choices that create a "personality" to communication.

• Tone

• Periphrasis

• Mood

• Syntax

The "accidental" stopper (usually a person) of a more "evil" person or "negative" situation.

• Foil

• Conflict

• Tragedy

• Nemesis

The "attitude" of a writer towards the story (sarcastic, supportive, informative, challenging).

• Mood

• Tone

• Hyperbole

• Irony

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

• Understatement

• Foil

• Tragedy

• Foreshadowing

The "polite" or softer version of words that relieve the situation of the more "negative" truth.

• Connotation

• Hyperbole

• Euphemism

• Understatement

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

• Irony

• Flashback

• Epilogue

• Tragedy

Giving non-human items or situations human action or emotion.

• Personification

• Hyperbole

• Simile

• Metaphor

Two things or situations that, by either one's existence, makes the other "impossible."

• Paradox

• Conflict

• Versimilitude

• Foil