LOL - Literary Terms

First person

A narrator who is a character in the story and tells the tale from his or her point of view using I or we

theme

The main idea of the story, common thread or repeated idea

setting

The time, place, physical details of a story, enables the reader to envision how a story unfolds

symbolism

The use of words, places, people, or objects to mean something beyond their literal meaning.

plot

What happens in a story, the storyline and how it develops

persuasive writing

Writing to convince or prove a point (book review, editorial debate)

synopsis

a brief summary of the plot of a novel, play, movie, etc.

metaphor

a comparison without using like or as, compares something familiar with something unfamiliar, sometimes uses "is/was"

anti-hero

a protagonist who lacks the characteristics that would make him a hero (ex. Kaa, the snake)

irony

an inconsistency between what is said and what is meant

simile

comparison using "like" or "as" of two unlikely things

hyperbole

extreme exaggeration, used for vivid description

third person

story told from the "he, she, they" point of view

antagonist

the character that the main character (protagonist) struggles against

foreshadowing

the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in the story

second person

told from the reader's point of view, using "you"

protagonist

usually the main character in a story, usually the "hero" of the story

figurative speech

writing or speech that is not meant to be taken literally (ex. hyperbole, metaphor, simile)

expository writing

writing that explains or informs (ex. letters, reports,"how to", term paper)

descriptive writing

writing that paints a picture of a person, place, thing, or idea; creates a visual (ex. journal, poetry)

narrative writing

writing that tells a story (novel, biography)