Literary Terms and Concepts

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Theme

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The central message

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Dialogue

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A conversation between characters, used to reveal characterization, present events, and add variety

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Sense Imagery

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A word or phrase that appeals to the five senses

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Diction

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The writer’s word choice, part of the author’s style, described as formal, informal, plain, or ornate

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Irony

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A contrast between what is stated and what is meant, or between what is expected to happen and what actually happens

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Situational Irony

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A contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens

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Plot

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The sequence of events in a literary work, including exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution

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Indirect Characterization

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A character is revealed through words, thoughts, or actions of the character

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Context Clues

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Hints that an author gives to define a difficult word

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Limited Third Person

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The narrator relates the inner thoughts and feelings of only one character, viewed from this character’s perspective