Literary Terms Flashcards
Alliteration
The repetition of a consonant at the beginning of a word.
Alusion
A reference to a person, place, event, or artistic work often from literature, history, the Bible or mythology that author expects the reader to recognize.
Anachronism
An item which is not in its correct historical context.
Antagonist
The character who opposes the main character.
Characterization
How the reader gets to know the personality of the character
Climax
The highest point of interest in a story.
Conflict
The struggle between two forces ( person vs person, person vs nature, person vs self, person vs animal, person vs fate etc.).
Connotation
The meaning a word has developed over time.
Denotation
The literal or dictionary meaning of a word.
Dramatic Irony
The audience is aware of a double meaning which the characters involved are not.
Figurative language
A blanket term referring to the use of words to convey a different meaning from the standard meaning of those words. There are three main types of figurative language.
Metaphor
An indirect comparison without using like or as i.e You’re an angel.
Personification
A metaphor that gives that gives human qualities to objects, animals or ideas.
Simile
A direct comparison using like or as
