English Literary Terms

Major divisions of action in drama; typically 5 act structure: introduction, complication, climax, falling action, and catastrophe (in a tragedy)

A form of extended metaphor in which objects and characters are equated with meaning outside the story itself. (Eg. Lord of the Flies more than a symbol because it makes a structure out of the levels of meaning.)

Repetition of initial consonant sounds or vowel sounds in successive syllables (Eg. The fair breeze blew)

Reference to a famous historical or literary figure or event.

Character who is the rival or opponent of the main character. See protagonist.

A dramatic convention in which an actor reveals his thoughts aloud and directly to the audience. Others on stage act as if they don't hear it.

The story of a person's life written by himself.

Works Cited. A listing of printed materials used as sources on a paper.

A literary form which gives accurate presentation of the life history of an individual. A person's life story written by someone else.

Emotional purification of relief; tragedies especially are supposed to supply this feeling.

The descriptions and explanations which make imaginary characters seem credible. Methods of characterization: What they do (behavior), what they say or think, what others say about them, what the narrator says about them, etc...

A piece of literature, music, are, which by common consent is considered excellent. It has lasting recognition.

When a character becomes wiser or better as a result of the action. An incident usually causes the character to learn about him or herself.

The use of descriptive, sensory dietails in writing or speaking; a collection of mental pictures which have emotional and psychological power.

Figure of speech in which the actual intent (purpose) is expressed in words which carry the opposite of what was expected. DRAMATIC IRONY is when the reader knows something that one (or all) of the characters don't know.