Download A Glossary of Literary Terms

A Glossary of Literary Terms
Review for Finals
Grade 7
author’s purpose
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What the author hopes to accomplish in
writing. It may be to 1) inform or teach
you, 2) persuade you of some position,
3) reflect upon his/her experiences, or
4) entertain you.
Ask yourself, “Why did the author write
this? What was his goal?”
genre
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a term used in literature and art, meaning a
category or classification
the three major genres are prose, poetry, and drama
People sort or group things all the time. Foods can
be grouped into sweet, salty, and bland-tasting
categories. These categories are to food, what
genres are to literature
poetry
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
writing that is highly concise, often
musical, and emotionally charged. It
can take many forms and employ many
devices of sound and sense. It may
may feature imagery, figurative
language, and rhyme
Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on
a Snowy Evening” is an example
speaker

.
the imaginary voice a poet uses when
writing a poem; the character who tells
the poem. This character, or voice,
often is not identified by name. There
can be important differences between
the poet himself and this voice.
stanza

a formal division of lines in a poem and
is considered a unit; it is to poetry what
a paragraph is to prose.
narrative poem
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A poem that tells a story and features
many of the conventions found in a
prose narrative
“The Cremation of Sam McGee” is an
example
drama

a story written to be performed by
actors. Though meant to be
performed, a reader can also read the
script (the written dialogue and stage
directions) and imagine the action. It is
divided into acts and scenes.
dialogue

A conversation between characters. In
poems, novels, and short stories,
dialogue is usually set off by quotation
marks. In a play, it follows the names
of the characters who will speak the
lines, and colons, not quotation marks,
are used.
prose

the kind of everyday writing that does
not have the rhyme or rhythm patterns
of poetry; writing in sentence and
paragraph form
nonfiction

prose writing that presents and
explains ideas or that tells about real
people, places, objects, or events.
Autobiographies, biographies, essays,
reports, letters, memos, and
newspaper articles are all examples of
this genre.
fiction


prose writing that tells an imaginary story in
the form of a short story or novel
Fiction is the creation of an author’s mind.
Many elements can come from real life (in
Crash, the novel is set in Pennsylvania – real
place that is not the creation of the author’s
imagination), but the plot and the protagonist
will be the work of the author’s mind.
myth

a fictional tale that explains the actions
of gods or heroes or the origins of
elements of nature. Part of the oral
tradition, they are composed orally and
then passed from generation to
generation by word of mouth. Every
ancient culture has its own.
fantasy


A genre of fiction that is highly
imaginative, containing elements not
found in real life
In “Rikki-tikki-tavi,” the animals all talk
and behave in ways humans do. The
author uses personification to achieve
this, but the idea of talking animals is
pure fantasy
science fiction
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Science fiction combines elements of fiction
and fantasy with scientific fact. The author of
science fiction poses a “what if” question and
brainstorms ideas from there.
The story may explore futuristic worlds and
envision new technology
Alien life forms may play a part
Ray Bradbury’s “All Summer in a Day” is an
example
historical fiction
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Fiction written in a modern time but set during a
period in history in which the author (usually) did not
live
Historical fiction must remain true to the facts of
history, but much of the plot and most (if not all) of
the characters will be the product of the author’s
imagination
Historical figures may be included, but again, what is
factually known of them is not significantly altered
Elizabeth George Speare’s The Witch of Blackbird
Pond is an example
realistic fiction


fiction set in relatively modern times
that reflect common experiences to
which the average person could relate.
This type of fiction tells an imaginary
story about characters and places that
could actually exist and events that
could actually happen
Jerry Spinelli’s Crash is an example
“classics”/classic literature

a term that loosely refers to writings
which are revered within a culture as
important examples of their literary
heritage. “Classics” are generally older
works reflective of literary periods, but
some latter-day works earn the title
“modern classic” if it is thought that
book will endure in popularity and
relevance beyond its own time
novel


a long work of fiction, usually divided into
chapters. It is meant to be read over multiple
sittings. In such a literary work, there is
more opportunity for greater depth in terms
of themes, plot lines, and characterization.
Elizabeth George Speare’s The Witch of
Blackbird Pond and Jerry Spinelli’s Crash
are examples
short story
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
a brief work of fiction that is meant to be read
in a single sitting. They usually follow a
standard plot development format of
exposition, conflict, rising action, climax,
falling action, resolution
Ray Bradbury’s “All Summer in a Day,”
Walter Dean Myer’s “The Treasure of Lemon
Brown,” and Rudyard Kipling’s “Rikki-tikkitavi” are examples
The Elements of a PLOT LINE
plot

the series of related events in a literary
work; the action that takes place in a
story
narrator



The speaker or character who tells a story.
In Crash, Crash Coogan is the narrator
In “Rikki-tikki-tavi,” the narrator is not a
character in the story, so the voice that tells
the story cannot be specifically identified.
Still, the reader can tell that this narrative
voice is excited about the action; the narrator
is clearly on Rikki’s side
point of view
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the perspective from which a story is told. An author may choose to
narrate from the first-person, meaning the story is told by a character
in the story itself. A author may also employ a third-person point-ofview.
Crash is written from the first-person point of view.
Third-person limited implies the story is seen from the perspective of
one or a limited number of characters.
“All Summer in a Day” is written from a third-person limited point of
view. Margot’s thoughts and feelings are made known to the reader,
but the other character’s minds are closed to us
Third-person omniscient implies that the narrator has a God-like
view into the hearts and minds of all the characters
“Rikki-tiki-tavi” is written from a third-person omniscient point of
view. The thoughts and feelings of most of the characters are made
known to the reader
diction
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A level of speech, described in terms of “high,” “middle,” and “low;” it is
adjusted according to audience and purpose of speech or writing.
The diction of Crash is low. The characters use slang common to
teenagers and the words Jerry Spinelli uses are common and easy to
understand
“The Treasure of Lemon Brown” could be described as having a level
of middle diction . The sentence structures Walter Dean Myers uses
are more varied and complex, and his word choices – while not
difficult to understand – are more precise and vivid
The diction of “Rikki-tikki-tavi” is high. Written nearly 100 years ago,
the language is formal and the sentence structures complex. Even
though the story was written for children, it is challenging to read
because the level of diction is high – certainly higher than the
everyday language of our modern world.
exposition

the beginnings of the story during
which the author reveals the setting,
introduces central characters, and sets
in motion a story problem
setting
While we know that the
story is set in Pennsylvania,
the author never identifies
the specific city where
Crash lives. Why might an
author chose to be vague
about such a detail?
Setting refers to the time and
place when and where a story
takes place. Sometimes the
author will not be specific about
where a story takes place so
that the setting and the events
that take place there would
seem universal – that is,
common and or possible for
any person.
historical context
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The customs, laws, modes, and expectations
of the time period in which a literary work is
set
Not every story has a historical context, but
certainly all works of historical fiction will.
It is important that the reader understands
the “Rikki-tikki-tavi” is set in India during the
time of the British Raj. Some aspects of the
story only make sense if the historical
context is understood.
characters
a person, an animal, or a personified object that plays a role in
the action of a literary work
Characterization

the techniques, both direct and indirect, an author uses to
present and develop characters.

direct characterization
 the author’s comments in a straightforward manner on
the nature of the a character. The author tells the
reader about and or actually describes the character

indirect characterization
 the author allows the reader to draw conclusions about
characters based upon the characters’ own words and
acts, as well as upon how other characters react to
them; the reader learns about the character by noting
what other characters think and say

How does the reader get to
know the characters?
characterization - the techniques an author uses
to present and develop characters.
In direct characterization, an
author will comment in a
straightforward manner on the
nature of the a character. The
author tells you about or
describes the character
DIRECTLY. There is no
guesswork or interpretation; this
is what the author wants to
make certain you know.
In indirect characterization, the
author allows the reader to draw
conclusions about characters
based upon the characters’ own
words and acts, as well as upon
how other characters react to
them. We learn about the
character by noting what other
characters think and say. There is
some interpretation here on the
part of the reader.
round character
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A character for whom an author has
created a fully developed physical
appearance and personality. A multidimensional character whose feelings
and attitudes are explored; such a
character will likely experience change
as the story progresses.
In Crash, Crash, Penn, Jane, Abby, Mr.
and Mrs. Coogan are round characters
flat character

A character that is not fully developed,
but has a specific role to play in the plot
is called a “flat character.” Penn’s
parents are flat characters.
protagonist

the central character in a literary work.
In some stories, this character may
play the role of a hero/heroine
antagonist
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the character or force that opposes the
protagonist, or central character, in a
work of literature
In “Rikki-tiki-tavi,” the antagonists are
the cobras, Nag and Nagina
antihero
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A central character or protagonist, who lacks
traditional heroic qualities and virtues (such as
courage, integrity, compassion)
An antihero may be comic, antisocial, mean, or even
pathetic, while still maintaining the reader’s
sympathy
Crash Coogan is an antihero. Though he has
countless negative traits, the reader comes to feel
sorrow for the boy who fears losing the grandfather
who loves him and gives him what Crash craves
most – time and attention
story problem(s)
In the early chapters of a novel, the
author begins to reveal the character of
the protagonist, as well as problems that
complicate matters in the protagonist’s
world. These problems are often like the
tip of an iceberg, the part that is above
the surface for all to see. Such problems
are a part of daily life to be solved, or at
least managed. But like the larger part of
the iceberg that is hidden below the
surface, a character’s problem may have
a deep and hidden source that is not
easily or quickly solved. Under the
surface of a problem may lie a conflict.
conflict

the struggle between opposing
characters or forces that is central to
the action of a literary work; man
versus man, man versus nature,
man versus society, man versus
God, and man versus himself
rising action

the plot developments that add
complications and expand the conflict;
it contributes to the building of
suspense or tension
suspense

Tension that is built when the reader
feels anxious or uncertain as to what
will be the outcome of events.
climax
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the moment in the story that comes as
its high point or its most emotional peak
“Rikki-tiki-tavi” reaches the highest
point of excitement when Rikki
emerges from the rat hole, battered
and bruised, but ultimately victorious.
Nagina is dead!
falling action

the action which follows the story’s
climax, tying up the loose ends and
leading to the conclusion
resolution

the point at which the conflict in the
story is resolved; the conclusion is
reached
theme
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the underlying idea or message about life or human
nature contained in a literary work
Loyalty, growing in confidence, protecting those we
love or those who are entrusted to our care are
themes explored in “Rikki-tikki-tavi”
universal
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A term used to describe themes that
are common in human experience
The need to be loved, friendship, selfworth, courage when you are tested –
these are examples of universal
themes. EVERYONE can relate to
these ideas
symbolism
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The use of anything to represent something other
than what it literally is; it can be an object, a person,
an event – anything, really – but it will have deeper
meaning beyond what is obvious.
The red shoes Crash buys for Scooter symbolize a
good luck charm of sorts, something that has power
to protect Scooter from the Grim Reaper and lift the
pall of death. Certainly Scooter would never wear
high-heeled red shoes, so as Christmas gift, these
shoes are pointless. They must mean more or
represent something other than what they are.
mood
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the emotional effect of feeling that an author creates
in a literary work
Authors create mood through word choices and the
manner in which they describe any given scene in
the story
Mood in a story can change, just like your moods
change. A story can feel dark and scary one
moment, but light the next.
foreshadowing

when an author gives you a foretaste,
hint, or preview of what is to come
flashback
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when the narrator of the story or a
character recalls a memory, action, or
dialogue from an earlier time, out of
sequence from the story’s present time
line
Chapters 1-8 of Crash are told in
flashback
irony

when the opposite of what is expected
happens; a contrast between
appearances and what actually is;
examples are verbal and situational
spacing

in literature, spacing occurs when there
is a time change, major shift, or change
in point-of-view, literally by creating a
space in the text. Several lines may be
skipped to create the effect.
figurative language

language based on figures of speech;
symbolic in meaning. Examples
include idiom, simile, metaphor, and
personification.
simile

a comparison of two essentially unlike
things using the words “like” or “as” to
make the comparison.
metaphor
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
a direct comparison between two
essentially unlike things. “Like” or “as”
is not used in such a comparison.
“Life is football.” Really? No, but to
Crash, the rules of football apply to the
way he lives his life, so the comparison
works for him.
personification

when a non-human animal or thing is
given human traits or capabilities
ALLUSION
Allusion is a literary device a writer may use to make
reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary
work, or work of art. When an author makes an
allusion, he or she makes comparisons or analogies,
and draws parallels between their works and another’s,
or establishes relationships that will expand the reader’s
understanding of concepts and ideas.
When Crash observes that Penn Webb comes walking down the
street “some Sneezy or Snoozy or whatever their names are,” an
allusion is being made to the Seven Dwarfs. Crash is comparing
Penn’s “strollllll-ing” to the way the dwarfs amble. The author
chooses to use the Seven Dwarfs comparison because he is fairly
certain his readers will have heard of the famous friends of Snow
White and, as such, understand his point.
synecdoche
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a reference to only a part of something
that is important, but you really mean
the whole OR the reference to the
whole when you only mean a part
A call for “All hands on desk!” is not just
a call for “hands.” The ship’s captain
wants whole sailors.
idiom

a figure of speech, an expression that
has a particular meaning to a language
or a region of the country. These
expressions cannot be taken literally.
They do not translate easily into other
languages.
oxymoron

the juxtaposition of contradicting terms:
jumbo shrimp, pretty ugly, Icy Hot,
Battle of Little Bighorn
euphemism
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A softer, gentler, less-offensive term for
one considered harsh
Think: passed away instead of dead
hyperbole

a gross exaggeration that cannot
possibly be taken seriously
alliteration

the repetition of initial consonant
sounds to draw the reader’s attention
or create musical effects; “tonguetwisters”
The four Washbournes whose first names are made
known are Levi, Lee, Liz, and Lucy.
ONOMATOPOEIA
Onomatopoeia is the use of a word
that imitates the sound it represents:
sizzle, snap, buzz, boom.
“There was the clank of
boots on the board
sidewalks, the creak and
jingle of harness, the
measured ringing of a
blacksmith’s anvil, the
snarling of strange dogs
in the street....”
dialect

a regional variety of speech, a form of
language spoken by people in a
particular region of the county or by a
group of people bound by some
commonality, differing in pronunciation,
grammar, word choice, and idiomatic
speech.
literature

writing as art