Literary Terms

Front

Theme

Back

The moral or message readers should learn from the story. It often reflects the character's growth or the resolution of conflict.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Front

2nd person point of view

Back

A narrative perspective that uses 'you' and makes the reader a character in the story.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

Protagonist

Back

The main character who carries the action forward; often the hero or good guy in the story.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

Mood

Back

How the text makes the reader feel, such as peaceful, eerie, humorous, or sad.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

Front

Hyperbole

Back

An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis, e.g., 'My backpack weighs a ton.'

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A

Front

Antagonist

Back

The character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict in the story.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

1st person point of view

Back

A narrative perspective where the narrator is a character in the story, using 'I' or 'we'.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

3rd person point of view

Back

A narrative perspective where the narrator is outside the story, using 'he', 'she', or 'they'.

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Front

Imagery

Back

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Front

Simile

Back

A figure of speech that compares two different things using 'like' or 'as', e.g., 'as brave as a lion.'

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D