Fig. Lang.
A comparison using "like" or "as"
Simile
These tell the actors (and the readers) how a scene should be performed; they are usually in parentheses, brackets or italicized
Stage directions
When and where a story takes place
Setting
Something that stands for a concept or idea of something else
Symbol
A question asked to make a point rather than to get an answer - "What happens to a dream deferred?"
Rhetorical question
A sudden understanding of something not previously understood ("Ah ha" moment)
Epiphany
Giving non-human things human qualities
Personification
The author's attitude toward his subject; could be critical, sympathetic, angry, etc.
Tone
The series of events that make up a story (or movie/novel/play)
Plot
A struggle outside the body; human vs. human, human vs. nature, human vs. society, etc.
External conflict
A conclusion or opinion that is formed because of known facts or evidence; an educated guess
Inference
Two words of opposite meaning right next to each other
Oxymoron
A type of figurative language that exaggerates for emphasis
Hyperbole
A feeling of curiosity or tension; it makes you want to keep turning the pages
Suspense
The moral of the story; the life lesson that the reader learns
Theme
Type of narration when the narrator uses words like, "I," "we," "me," "my," etc.
First person POV
The feelings and emotions relating to a word; can be negative, neutral or positive
Connotation
A joke or play on words exploiting the different possible meanings of a word - "Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man." (~ Mercutio right before he dies in Romeo & Juliet)
Pun
A direct comparison; calling one thing another
Metaphor
The atmosphere of a story (movie/book/play)
Mood
A character OR force working against the main character
Antagonist
A character who stays the same throughout a story
Static character
Divisions in poetry; a 'poem paragraph'
Stanza
In a play, when a character speaks directly to the audience and the other actors on stage pretend not to hear
Aside
Language that appeals to the reader's senses
Imagery
A type of irony when the audience or reader knows something that a character does not
Dramatic Irony
When the author gives hints and clues about events that have not yet occurred
Foreshadowing
Type of narration when the reader knows the thoughts and feelings of ALL major characters
Third person omniscient POV
The dictionary definition of a word
Denotation
A statement that seems to contradict itself, but that also contains some truth - "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times." (Opening line of novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens)
Paradox
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of consecutive words (think tongue twister!)
Alliteration
In a play, an extended speech by a character, while other characters are also on stage
Monologue
The main character who the reader wants to see succeed
Protagonist
A character who goes through a dramatic change
Dynamic character
A reference to someone or something famous - the Mona Lisa, the Bible, MLK, George Washington, etc.
Allusion
The substitution of a mild or indirect expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt - "To let someone go" instead of "To fire someone"
Euphemism
A common expression not to be taken literally; the understanding is NOT the literal meaning of the words themselves; "It's raining cats and dogs."
Idiom
In a play, a speech by a character who is alone (or thinks he is) on stage
Soliloquy
A character TYPE that represents universal patterns or traits of human nature (the time and place don't matter) - hero/heroine, rebel, scapegoat, villain, caretaker, innocent, etc.
Archetype
A type of narration where the reader knows only the thoughts and feelings of ONE character
Third person limited POV
A type of irony when a situation turns out unexpected
Situational irony
A balanced statement of contrasting ideas- "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." JFK
Antithesis