Literary Terms
The author's most important message about a topic. It can be implied or expressed directly. It's two words!
What is the main idea?
When a writer hints that something might happen in the future.
What is foreshadowing?
The life-lesson or "big idea" in a story.
What is the theme?
The location and time frame in which the action of a narrative takes place.
What is the setting?
A comparison of unlike things using "like" or "as" to make a point.
What is a simile?
The feelings implied by an author's word choice, showing how the writer feels about the topic.
What is tone?
Descriptive language that draws on the reader's five senses (sight, touch, smell, taste, hearing).
What is imagery?
This can mean 1st (I), 2nd (you), or 3rd (she/he) person pronouns.
What is point of view?
A person who gives an account or tells the story of events, experiences,
What is a narrator?
a comparison of two unlike things without using "like" or "as" to make a point
What is a metaphor?
The emotion the author strives to make the reader feel by the writer's choice of words and images.
What is mood?
The use of an object to represent a concept.
Example: a lightbulb representing a new idea
What is symbolism?
A description of the emotional or physical features of a person or people in a story.
What is characterization?
An indirect reference to another text, historical person or event, etc.
What is an allusion?
Creating an exaggeration to make a point.
What is a hyperbole?
The reasons, examples, facts, steps, or other kinds of evidence that explain the main idea.
What are the supporting details?
The writer's reason for or intent in writing. This may be to amuse the reader, to persuade the reader, to inform the reader, or to satirize a condition.
What is author's purpose or primary purpose?
When a story has no flashbacks (past) and flashforwards (future) and follows a chronological time line.
What is linear plot?
A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.
What is an inference or to infer?
When a writer gives an inanimate object human qualities - like a desk screaming under the weight of the sumo wrestler.
What is personification?
The main character who is generally a hero or a good person?
What is the protagonist?
The use of words to express something other than the true meaning or the opposite of the literal meaning.
Example: A fire station burns down.
What is irony?
When a story has flashbacks (past) and flashforwards (future) and does not follow a chronological plot.
What is a non-linear plot?
Hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words
What are context clues?
Using decriptive words to create a sound.
What is an onomatopoeia?