Literary Elements and Other Terms

The underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work. This message can be conveyed using characters, setting, dialogue, plot, or a combination of all of these elements.

• tone

• mood

• central idea

• theme

Any communication between two characters—generally spoken out loud, though there are exceptions to this rule. It is denoted by quotation marks.

• dialect

• tone

• dialogue

• textual evidence

text (or quotes) that has been collected from the original source or document that supports a thesis or an argument.

• textual evidence

• analysis

• annotation

• citation

The main argument of an essay. It defines the paper's goals, direction, and scope. It is supported by evidence.

• textual evidence

• analysis

• claim

• diction

All of the tools an author can use to develop and support a central idea, theme or argument in a text.

• textual evidence

• clear claim

• author's craft

• author's purpose

When a person does something or says something not expected...

• Foreshadowing

• Static Character

• Shrine

• Irony

Tragedy and Comedy are examples of...

• Dialogue

• Drama

• Monologue

• Symbolism

When a character wants something, but something else gets in the way...

• Conflict

• Resolution

• Climax

• Rising Action

The period after the dramatic confrontation of the climax.

• Rising Action

• Climax

• Conflict

• Falling Action

Another word for denouement

• Rising Action

• Falling Action

• Climax

• Resolution