alliteration-repetition of a similar consonant sounds 
apostrophe-directly addresses an inanimate person in the poem 
assonance-repetition of similar vowel sounds 
blank verse-unrhymed iambic pentameter 
consonance-repetition of similar final consonant sounds in different words 
conceit- elaborate and unusual comparison 
couplet-a pair of rhyming lines 
end rhyme- rhyming words repeated at the end of lines 
free verse-poetry without meter or rhyme 
foot-group of syllables 
hyperbole-exaggeration or overstatement used for effect 
imagery-use of language to evoke sensual images 
metaphor-comparison of two unlike objects that do not use "like" or "as" 
meter-pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables 
onomatopoeia-use of words whose sounds echo their meaning buzz, hiss 
personification-giving human qualities to an object 
rhyme-exact repetition of sounds 
rhyme scheme-pattern of rhyme in a stanza abab 
rhythm-arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables 
simile-comparison of two unlike objects which uses "like" or "as" or "than"
sonnet-a fourteen line lyric poem 
stanza-division of lines in a poem 
tone-author’s attitude toward subject 

Prose Terms for Reading, Literature, Research SOL test in May 
Plot- the sequence of events related in a story 
Conflict-a struggle between opposing forces 
Suspense-a feeling of growing uncertainty about the outcome of events in a literary work 
Protagonist-main character in a literary work 
Antagonist-a character or force in conflict with the protagonist 
Exposition-a writing or speech that explains, informs, or presents information 
Resolution-the end of the central conflict 
Climax-the high point of interest and suspense in a literary work 
Complications/Rising Action -events that lead up to the climax 
Digression-going off the subject of the story 
Foreshadowing-the use of clues that suggests events that have yet to occur in a literary work 
Characterization-the creating and developing of a character 
direct characterization-is when the author states a character’s traits 
indirect characterization-is when a character is revealed by words, thoughts, actions of the character; by descriptions of the character’s appearance or background; by what other characters say about the character; by the ways in which other characters react toward the character 
flat character-a one-dimensional character 
round character-a complex and multi-faceted character 
static character-a character that does not change in the course of a work 
dynamic character-a character who changes in the course of a work 
stereotyped character- a character who exhibits a pattern of socially expected behaviors 
archetypal character- a character who is patterned after famous characters of classical literature 
epic hero- a single important character who embodies the values of a particular society often engaging in adventures that span hell, earth, and heaven. 
tragic hero- a single important character who exhibits some personal flaw or weakness that causes destruction 
Theme-a central message or insight into life revealed by a literary work 
Setting-the time and place of action in a literary work 
Point of View-the perspective from which the story is told 
Narrator-a person who tells the story 
First person- when a narrator who is a character in the story and refers themselves with the first person pronoun I 
Third person limited-when the narrator relates the inner thoughts and feelings of one character; the story is told from his point of view 
Omniscient- when the narrator knows and tells what each character feels and thinks 
Satire-a literary work which mocks or ridicules the stupidity or vices of individuals, groups, institutions or society. 
Symbol-person, place or thing that has meaning in itself and represent something larger than itself 
Irony 
Verbal irony – words which reflect something different tan what is intended 
Dramatic irony – when the reader is aware of something before a character in a story is. 
Situational irony- when something happens that is unexpected 
Allusion- a reference to a well-know person, place, event, literary work, or work of art. 
Analogy-expression of a relationship between two words 
Inference-any logical or reasonable conclusion based on known facts or accepted premises 
Single Effect-technique where every element of the story contributes to one effect 
Epistle- a literary letter addressed to someone or group of people in a distant location. 
Parable-a short allegorical tale that teaches a lesson 
Fable- a brief story usually with animal characters that teaches a lesson or moral 
Allegory-a work of literature in which events, characters, and details of a setting have a symbolic meaning 
Aphorisms- short witty sayings 
Persuasive Writing 
Loaded/charged words- a technique using words with strong positive or negative connotations, or associations 
Rhetoric- a question which requires no answer 
Parallelism-repetition of grammatical structure 
Repetition-the repeated use of any element of language 
Restatement – the repetition of ideas in different words or phrases 
Bias – the inclusion of personal feelings in literary work intended to influence reader in a particular direction 
Audience- readers/listeners of literary work 

 Kinds of literature 
Oral tradition-that passing of songs, stories, and poems from generation to generation by word of mouth 
Autobiography-a form of nonfiction in which a writer tells a story about him/herself 
Biography-a form of nonfiction in which a writer tells a life story of another person 
Journals/diaries-personal record of events, conversations, thoughts, feelings, and observations 
Folk Tales/frame story/Tall tale- stories passed down from generation to generation in a particular culture which usually relate unlikely or unrealistic events, stereo-types, and teach a lesson or express a general truth. 
Short story-brief work of fiction 
Essay-a short non-fiction work about a particular subject 
Fiction- prose writing that tells about imaginary characters and events 
Non-fiction – prose writing that presents and explains ideas or that tells about real people, places, objects or events 
Genre-a division or type of literature ie. poetry, prose drama 

Objective writing- writing that has to do with reality that is independent of any particular person’s mind or personal, internal experiences 
Subjective writing-writing that is based on personal reactions or emotions rather than some objective reality 
Connotation-an association that a word calls to mind in addition to the dictionary meaning 
Denotation-the objective or dictionary meaning which is independent of other associations 
Forms of Discourse 
Narration-writing that tells a story 
Description- writing that describes a setting or thing 
Exposition – writing or speech that explains, informs or presents information 
Persuasion-writing or speech that attempts to convince a reader to think or act in a particular way 
Diction-a writer’s choice of words considering subject, audience, occasion and literary form 
Dialect-colloquial (everyday) language of a region 

Elegy- a mournful poem lamenting the death of an individual or the passing of life and beauty or mediating on the nature of death 
Flashback- a recreation of the natural flow of a character’s thoughts 
Stream of consciousness- an attempt to capture the way the mind works by showing the random movement and natural flow of a character’s thoughts 
Parody-humorous imitation that exaggerates or distorts the characteristic feature of the original literary work 
Paradox- a statement which seems to be contradictory but that actually presents a truth