starting with s
common
use
examples
character
related
story
related
200

a direct comparison of dissimilar objects, i.e; i wandered lonely as a cloud.

simile
200

the sequence of events in literary work

plot

200

onomatopoeia

use of word whose sound imitates its meaning, “hiss” or “bang”

200

perspective from which a literary work is told 

point of view 

200

phrase that consists of two words that are contradicting 

oxymoron

400

group of lines forming a unit in a poem

stanza

400

standardized, conventional ideas about characters

stereotype

400

allusion

a reference to something well-known. i.e; the bible

400

the villian in the story

antagonist 

400

end of the story where all the questions or problems are answered 

resolution

600

the time and place of literary work

setting

600

an implied comparison between dissimilar objects, i.e; her talent blossomed 

metaphor

600

falling action

results of the climax

600

figure of speech in which non-human things are given human characteristic

personification

600

when the reader or audience knows something a character does not 

irony

800

one thing, used to represent something else 

symbolism

800

the method of returning to an earlier point in time for the purpose of making the present clearer

flashback

800

aside

when a character makes a short speech intended for the audience

800

voice in a poem; person or thing that is speaking

speaker

800

language that appeals to the 5 sense

imagery

1000

a dramatic device in which a character is alone and speaks his or her thoughts outloud

soliloquy

1000

repetition of similar or identical sounds 

rhyme

1000

motif

a reacurring feature of literary work that is related to the theme

1000

the main character 

protagonist 

1000

development of conflict and complications

rising action