Grammar
A verbal that starts with the word "to"
infinitive
direct characterization
The struggle between a character and something within themselves
character vs. character
For many women, the home was a prison that they yearned to break free from.
metaphor
a literary device used to split up the current scenes in a story and look back to something that has happened in the past.
flashback
A verbal that always ends in -ing
gerund
the term for discovering what a character is like by making inferences based on their behavior, dialogue, etc.
indirect characterization
The struggle between a character and another character
character vs. character
The metal platter landed with a great clang, spraying bits of food across the kitchen floor and cabinets.
onomatopoeia
when words or situations convey a meaning opposite to their literal meaning or expected outcome, creating surprise or humor.
irony
The voice where the subject receives the action rather than doing it.
passive voice
A character that changes over the course of the story
dynamic character
The struggle between a character and a natural force
character vs. nature
The moon is a friend for the lonesome to talk with.
—Carl Sandburg, "Moonlight and Maggots
personification
(will accept metaphor if student also mentions personification)
a literary device that evokes a sensory experience for the reader by using highly descriptive language
imagery
The name for a verb that needs a direct object following it to complete it's meaning
transitive
A character that is not realistic and lacks depth
flat character
The struggle between a character and societal norms/a broad social structure.
character vs. society
It's only forty miles to the ranch as the crow flies, but on the winding local roads, it takes about two hours
idiom
symbolism
The verbal that can function as an adjective, noun, or adverb
infinitive
A character that does not develop or change throughout the story.
static
A character struggling against something otherworldy or paranormal
character vs. supernatural
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary . . .
—Edgar Allan Poe, "The Raven"
alliteration
A reference to another literary work/ piece of art inside a book.
allusion