Literary Elements and Other Terms

The underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work. This message can be conveyed using characters, setting, dialogue, plot, or a combination of all of these elements.

• tone

• mood

• central idea

• theme

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Any communication between two characters—generally spoken out loud, though there are exceptions to this rule. It is denoted by quotation marks.

• dialect

• tone

• dialogue

• textual evidence

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

text (or quotes) that has been collected from the original source or document that supports a thesis or an argument.

• textual evidence

• analysis

• annotation

• citation

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

The main argument of an essay. It defines the paper's goals, direction, and scope. It is supported by evidence.

• textual evidence

• analysis

• claim

• diction

All of the tools an author can use to develop and support a central idea, theme or argument in a text.

• textual evidence

• clear claim

• author's craft

• author's purpose

When a person does something or says something not expected...

• Foreshadowing

• Static Character

• Shrine

• Irony

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Tragedy and Comedy are examples of...

• Dialogue

• Drama

• Monologue

• Symbolism

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

When a character wants something, but something else gets in the way...

• Conflict

• Resolution

• Climax

• Rising Action

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

The period after the dramatic confrontation of the climax.

• Rising Action

• Climax

• Conflict

• Falling Action

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

Another word for denouement

• Rising Action

• Falling Action

• Climax

• Resolution

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C