Understanding Literary Terms and Concepts

The process of drawing a conclusion based on gathered reasons, evidence, and background knowledge.

• deduction

• inference

• assumption

• speculation

A viewpoint that does NOT align with the author's point of view or beliefs.

• conflicting viewpoint

• supportive viewpoint

• neutral viewpoint

• aligned viewpoint

Words and/or actions that describe the personality of a character in a story.

• character traits

• plot devices

• narrative techniques

• setting elements

The type of figurative language in which an author uses exaggeration for emphasis purposes.

• metaphor

• simile

• hyperbole

• alliteration

A term for "the unfolding sequence of events in a story"

• narrative structure

• plot elements

• character development

• theme analysis

A type of irony when the reader knows something that one of the characters do not.

• situational irony

• verbal irony

• dramatic irony

• cosmic irony

An author's perspective on a topic

• point of view

• narrative style

• literary device

• theme

An author's main reason for writing a text (to inform, to persuade, to entertain, etc.)

• author's purpose

• author's intent

• author's theme

• author's message

A variety of emotions and ideas suggested by a word. It can be positive, negative, or neutral.

• word connotation

• word denotation

• word implication

• word context

The term is used when things such as character dialogue, actions, or decisions quickly change the plot.

• propel the action

• slow down the narrative

• create a subplot

• establish the setting