Literary Elements Commonly Used in Literature
Quarter 1 Literature Terms
Setting- This is the time and place in which a work of literature occurs.
Plot- Events that take place within a story. This is what goes on in the story.
Exposition- The beginning stages of a story.
Rising Action- Events in the story that lead up to the main event or climax.
Climax-A point in the story when something important occurs, which changes the outcome of the story. The story will NEVER be the same after this event happens.
Falling Action- Events in the story that lead up to the resolution or the ending of the story.
Resolution- The final events of a story.
Suspense-Feeling of curiosity or expectation, often tinged with anxiousness, created by raising questions about the outcome of events.
Flashback-This takes a reader back to an earlier part of the story or part of the character’s life.
Foreshadowing-This gives readers hints and clues of events to come in the story.
Theme-This is the main idea in a literary work.
Quarter 1 Figures of Speech
Figurative Language- Using words out of their literal meaning to create a specific image in the mind of the reader. Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language.
Simile- A comparison of two things using the words “like” or “as”. For example, Mike is as sly as a fox.
Metaphor-A comparison of two things not using the words “like” or “as”. For example, Mike is a sly fox. Quarter 2 Literature Terms
Characterization- The techniques a writer uses to develop a character’s personalities and physical features.
Protagonist-A character that possesses positive qualities, tries to do good things. (Usually the main character.)
Antagonist-A character that possesses negative qualities. The character or entity that acts to frustrate the goals of the protagonist.
Tone-This is the attitude adopted by the speaker, narrator or author of a literary work or by the character himself.
Theme-This is the main idea in a literary work.
Quarter 2 Figures of Speech
Imagery-This is the picture that the author paints, using words and phrases of something that can be seen, heard, touched, tasted or smelled.
Onomatopoeia- The sound of the word suggests what the word describes. For example, bang! Boom! Etc…
Personification: Giving life to non-living objects. For example, winds howl, flowers danced in the breeze, etc…
Hyperbole: A figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis. For example, “I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse!” (Suggesting that this person is really hungry)
Alliteration: The initial letter sound is repeated in two or more words. For example, rough and ready.
Quarter 3 Terms to Know
Point of View- The angle from which a story is told. Common types of P.O.V include-
1st person (I, me, my, etc…)
3rd person (He, she, they…)
Conflict-A problem or struggle between two opposing forces.
Types: External Conflict & Internal Conflicts
Kinds: Man vs. Man, Man vs. Society, Man vs. Himself/Herself, Man vs. Nature
Mood-This is the emotional quality of a literary work. (How you feel after reading something)
Irony-The opposite of what the reader thinks will happen.
Allusion- a reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature.
Theme-This is the main idea in a literary work.
Quarter 3 Figures of Speech
Symbolism-A person, place or thing that represents something else.
Ex. Dove = Peace
Literary Terms Commonly Found in Poetry
Quarters 1-4
Poetry Terms to Know
End Rhyme: A repetition of harmonious sounds, at the end of a line.
Stanza: A paragraph within a poem. A certain number of lines of verse grouped in a definite sequence.
Rhyme Scheme- A pattern within a poem. For example, ABAB….
Refrain (repetition)- A refrain is a repeated sound, word, line, phrase, or a group of lines repeated at regular intervals. Refrains are also found in songs.
Types of Literary Works/Poetry
Poetry: Expresses feelings and emotions- may or may not contain a certain rhyme scheme.
Free Verse Poetry- Poetry without a regular meter or a rhyme scheme. Free verse is like ordinary speech. Yet, free verse may use repetition, alliteration, and other devices.
Prose: Everyday language