FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
CHARACTER
PLOT & STRUCTURE
WORD MEANING & STYLE
AUTHOR’S PURPOSE & TECHNIQUE
100

Alliteration

Repeating the same beginning sound in nearby words.

100

Flat character

A simple character with few traits.

100

Setting

The time and place where a story occurs.

100

Denotation

The literal dictionary definition of a word.

100

Mood

The feeling the reader gets from a story.

200

Simile

A comparison using "like" or "as."

200

Static character

A character who does not change during the story.

200

Conflict

The main problem or struggle in a story (internal or external).

200

Connotation

The emotional or implied meaning of a word.

200

Tone

The author’s attitude toward the subject or characters.

300

Personification

Giving human qualities to nonhuman things.

300

Round character

A detailed, complex character with many traits.

300

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.

300

Diction

An author’s word choice.

300

Imagery

Language that appeals to the five senses.

400

Hyperbole

Extreme exaggeration for emphasis.

400

Dynamic character

A character who changes as a result of the story’s events.

400

Climax

The most intense or important moment in the story.

400

Types of diction

Types of diction such as formal, informal, slang, and colloquial.

400

Suspense

The feeling of tension or excitement about what will happen next.

500

Metaphor

A direct comparison without using "like" or "as."

500

Foil

A character who contrasts another character to highlight differences.

500

Plot structure

The five-part story structure (exposition to resolution).

500

Allusion

A reference to a famous person, place, event, or story.

500

Theme

The main message or lesson about life in a story.

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