Literary Terms

protagonist

antagonist

exposition

climax

resolution

theme

Central idea of a work of literature

point of view

The perspective from which a story is told

setting

The context in time and place in which the action of a story occurs.

conflict

simile

metaphor

alliteration

hyperbole

symbol

personification

onomatopoeia

mood

internal conflict

A struggle between opposing needs, desires, or emotions within a single character

external conflict

figurative language

irony

plot

suspense

allusion

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance.

foreshadowing