Murry Bergtraum HS Spring 2001
English Department Ms.Scragg
Allegory-a story in which characters represent abstract qualities or ideas.
Allusion-an indirect reference to a person, place, event, or literary work with which the author believes the reader will be familiar.
Analogy-a comparison of two things that have certain
similarities.
o contrast-showing something or someone against its opposite.
Apostrophe-directly addressing someone or something outside of the poem or story.
Characterization-the techniques a writer uses to create
and develop a character. A write reveals a character through physical
description; through the character's actions, words, and feelings;
and through direct comments about the character.
o protagonist-the main character in a piece of writing
o antagonist-a character or force working against the protagonist
Climax-the turning point in the plot, the moment toward which the story builds.
Conflict-the struggle or difficulty faced by the character(s)
that is the basis of the plot.
o external conflict-occurs between a character and some
outside force: a force of nature, between two characters, or between
a character and society.
o internal conflict-occurs when a character struggles within
herself, such as when trying to make an important decision.
Description-writing that creates a picture of a scene, event, or a character.
Dialogue- conversation between characters
Exposition-the part of the plot that provides background information and introduces the setting, conflict, and often, several characters.
Figurative Language-language that expresses ideas, beyond the literal or the ordinary; words that do not mean exactly what they say, yet trying to make a strong point. The most common examples of figurative language include: simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole.
Flashback-an interruption in the chronological order of events in a story in order to present a conversation or event that happened before the beginning of the story.
Foreshadowing-the use of hints or clues that prepare the reader for events that will occur later.
Form-the structure of a poem, the way the words, lines, and stanzas are arranged on the page.
Hyperbole-extreme exaggeration used to make a point.
Imagery-the use of descriptive language to appeal to the the reader's five sentences (sound, touch, taste, smell, sight).
Irony-occurs when the opposite of what is expected takes place.
Metaphor-a comparison of two things that seemingly have
nothing in common. Metaphors do not use like or as.
o Simile--also a comparison of two unlike things, but uses
the words like or as.
Mood-the feeling created by the writer in the work.
Motivation-the driving force behind a character's actions.
Organization-the general structure of a piece of writing. Organization can include how the writing is physically divided into paragraphs or stanzas, as well as the structure of the plot or the order in which ideas are developed.
Oxymoron-a phrase made up of two seemingly opposite words.
Paradox-a statement that seems to be ridiculous or contradictory, but that is also true nonetheless.
Personification-when a writer gives the qualities of a human being to an object, animal, or idea.
Plot-what happens in a story, the sequence of action and events that tell the story.
Point-of-view-how the narrator relates to the events
described in a piece of writing.
o first-person point-of-view- the narrator is a character
and refers to him or herself as "I."
o second-person point-of-view-refers to characters in the
2nd person. (e.g.) "You knew it would be a difficult day
as soon as you awoke."
o third-person point-of-view-refers to all of the characters
as he, she, or they.
o omniscient third-person point-of-view-reveals thoughts
or feelings of the characters
Repetition-words or lines are repeated throughout a work, often for emphasis or to create a particular rhythm or sound pattern.
Satire-a work that is written to make fun of something or someone, usually ot help improve a situation.
Scene-Divisions of the action of a play or novel. The setting of each scene differs in time, place, or in both time and place.
Setting-the time and place in which the action occur.
Stereotype-an over-simplified mental picture of a person, group, or an institution.
Suspense-the growing feeling of anxiety and excitement that makes a reader curious about the outcome of a story.
Symbolism-the use of a person, place, or object to represent something beyond itself, such as an idea or a feeling.
Theme-an insight about life or human nature that the writer presents to the reader. Some works can have several themes.
Tone-the feeling an author conveys to her reader about the subject. Tone contributes to the overall mood of a work.
Understatement-a description that greatly plays down
the importance of the subject, often to add humor or to make a
point ironically.