Literary Terms

Human traits are given to non-living things. Example: The stars smiled down on the town.

• personification

• onomatopoeia

• simile

• metaphor

The "spoken" words between characters; or the characters' conversation between one another. Example: "Good morning, students! Let's complete your bellringer first."

• text

• slang

• language

• dialogue

Figurative expression for something literal. Example: This class is a piece of cake!

• simile

• imagery

• idiom

• symbolism

A HINT given of what's to come later/in the future. Example: A character comments on the weather, saying, "Look at the clouds rolling in."

• imagery

• preview

• foreshadow

• dialogue

Extreme exaggeration/emphasis. Example: It's a million degrees outside!

• imagery

• setting

• tone

• hyperbole

The villain or the "bad guy" in a story.

• protagonist

• antagonist

The unfolding of a story that includes: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.

• conflict

• point of view

• plot

• foreshadowing

TIME and PLACE that a story occurs...the WHERE and WHEN

• theme

• setting

• mood

• imagery

AUTHOR's or SPEAKER's attitude or voice on a subject.

• mood

• tone

A family facing the loss of their home due to a wildfire is an example of an ______________ conflict.

• external

• internal