a French term meaning a literary type, class, or category

everyday, ordinary writing, not involving rhyme or meter

imaginative prose writing

non-imaginative prose writing that tells of real people, places, objects, or events or that presents and explains an idea

people or animals that take part in the action of a literary work.

time and place of the action of a literary work

a series of related events involving characters in conflict

the central concern, purpose, or idea of a literary work illustrated by the plot.

the reflection of the author’s attitude toward his subject, characters, and readers.

the atmospher of a literary work created by the author’s tone, the choice of setting, and the events of the story.

is the perspective or vantage point from which the story is told.

part of a literary work, usually found at the beginning, which introduces characters, establishes the setting, and other background information needed to understand the plot.

the event that begins the conflict

events that intensify the conflict

the peak of interest or suspense in a work of literature

the event that ends the conflict

any event occurring after the resolution that helps to clarify the resolution.

point of view in which the story is told from the perspective of someone outside the story (not a character) who knows the thoughts and feelings of only one character.

point of view in which the story is told from the perspective of someone outside the story (not a character) who knows the thoughts and feelings of more than one character.

point of view in which the story is told from the perspective of someone outside the story (not a character) who can only reveal what he sees and hears.

point of view in which the story is told from the perspective of a character in the story.

is an interruption in the sequence of events to present an earlier event.

the author’s use of hints or clues to events that have not yet occurred.

a term for various literary devices involving amusing, surprising, or interesting contrasts or contradictions.

irony involving a contrast or contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader knows to be true.

irony in which there is a contrast or contradiction between what is expected to happen and what really does. (situational irony may involve the characters or the reader or both)

irony in which there is a contrast or contradiction between what is said and what is meant.

the main character in a literary work

character or force in conflict with the main character that tries to keep the main character from accomplishing his goal

a conflict between a character and some outside force such as another character, nature, or society.

conflict within a single character.

a moment of sudden insight in which a character realizes some truth.

something that has a meaning in itself yet stands for or represents something else.

a type of literature that uses symbols to teach a lesson.

a character that changes as a result of the events in a work of literature

a character that does not change as a result of the events in a work of literature

a reference in one work of literature to a place, person, object, or event from another work of literature or field of study.

the account of a person’s life written by another person

a person’s own account of his/her life.

a short work of nonfiction that deals with a particular subject

an extended work of narrative prose fiction

a brief work of narrative prose fiction that can be read in one sitting and that tries to create one single emotional effect in the reader.

a character demonstrating only one or two character traits in a work of literature

a complex character demonstrating various character traits in a work of literature.