English I - Literary Terms

The method used by a writer to develop a character. The method includes showing the character's appearance, displaying the character's actions, revealing the character's thoughts, letting the character speak, and getting the reactions of others.

• Alliteration

• Allusion

• Characterization

The struggle found in fiction. May be internal or external and is best seen in either man in conflict with another man, man in conflict with nature, or man in conflict with self.

• Conflict / Plot

• Diction

• Flashback

Language that evokes one or all of the five senses: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching.

• Foreshadowing

• Hyperbole

• Imagery

An implied discrepancy between what is said and what is meant

• Irony

• Metaphor

• Oxymoron

Giving human qualities to animals or objects

• Onomatopoeia

• Paradox

• Personification

Determining time and place in fiction

• Rhyme

• Setting

• Simile

The attitude a writer takes towards a subject or character: serious, humorous, sarcastic, ironic, etc.

• Symbol

• Theme

• Tone

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words. [EX: sweet smell of success; a dime a dozen; bigger and better; jump for joy]

• Alliteration

• Theme

• Setting

Action that interrupts to show an event that happened at an earlier time which is necessary to better understanding

• Symbol

• Personification

• Flashback

An exaggeration or overstatement. [EX: I'm so hungry I could eat a horse; He's as big as a house].

• Hyperbole

• Foreshadowing

• Imagery