Literary Terms
Time and place of a story
Setting
Comparing two things using like or as
Simile
If you do your homework you are sure to be ready for the test.
If you do your homework, you are sure to be ready for the test.
There will be chores to do washing dishes, making the bed, and dusting.
There will be chores to do: washing dishes, making the bed, and dusting.
Abby gave me a bad haircut she expected a tip!
Abby gave me a bad haircut -she expected a tip!
The central problem of a story
Conflict
Comparing two things without using like or as
Metaphor
His job was fun and there was a lot to learn.
His job was fun, and there was a lot to learn.
Kelly wants to play outside Kim wants to play inside.
Kelly wants to play outside; Kim wants to play inside.
James can't make it he got the flu from his sister.
James can't make it-he got the flu from his sister.
Define both types of conflict.
Internal conflict - problem within the character (char. vs. self)
External - problem outside of the character (char vs. char, char. vs. nature, char. vs. society).
Giving human characteristics to something that is not human.
Personification
It makes me really sad when I see trash on the ground.
It makes me really sad when I see trash on the ground.
Red is my favorite color I like wearing blue sometimes.
Red is my favorite color; I like wearing blue sometimes.
She picked out the best flavors apple, cherry, and banana.
She picked out the best flavors—apple, cherry, and banana.
Events leading up to the climax of a story.
Rising action
My grandpa always claims to have caught a trout longer than the Golden Gate Bridge. ____________________.
Hyperbole
I love to eat grapes but bananas make me sick.
I love to eat grapes, but bananas make me sick.
There are three ways to win luck, practice, and cheating.
There are three ways to win: luck, practice, and cheating.
Superior students notice that I said superior will not have to take the test.
Superior students—notice that I said superior—will not have to take the test.
What is the definition of theme?
The author's message; what the author want's the reader to learn from the story.
The door makes a slam whenever someone forgets to close it carefully.
onomatopoeia
Everybody loves to eat grapes but nobody likes broccoli raisins or brussel sprouts.
Everybody loves to eat grapes, but nobody likes broccoli, raisins, or brussel sprouts.
One week is 7 days one day is 24 hours.
One week is 7 days; one day is 24 hours.
All four of them Bob, Jeffrey, Jason, and Brett did well in college.
All four of them—Bob, Jeffrey, Jason, and Brett—did well in college.