Literary Terms

an implied/indirect reference to another piece of literature

• mood

• allusion

• figurative language

• symbolism

the attitude the author has towards the subject they're writing about

• diction

• mood

• tone

• imagery

the author's word choice

• personification

• figurative language

• mood

• diction

the atmosphere of the story

• mood

• characterization

• theme

• tone

giving human-like qualities to non-human things

• personification

• characterization

• imagery

• symbolism

the details and descriptions about a character in a story

• foreshadowing

• imagery

• characterization

• figurative language

using one thing—usually a physical object or phenomenon—to represent

something else

• allusion

• symbolism

• theme

• diction

when the writer gives a warning or indication of (a future event)

• theme

• diction

• foreshadowing

• figurative language

the overall message of the story the author is trying to tell the reader

• allusion

• theme

• symbolism

• diction

descriptive words that should paint a picture in the reader's mind

• imagery

• figurative language

• personification

• diction