Glossary of Literary Terms

1. Setting - Where a story or scene takes place. Ex. Forest, castle, cave, diner, house, etc.

2. Protagonist - The character who is struggling against something or someone. Ex. Harry Potter, Katniss

3. Antagonist - The character or thing causing problems. Ex. Voldemort, a snowstorm, Nazi

4. Conflict - This is the struggle between characters. The main conflict is between protagonist and antagonist.

5. Plot - This is the structure of the action in a story. Not all stories have a plot or a clear one.

6. Narrator - The person telling a story. Not the author.

7. Point of view - The way the narrator tells the story. First person, second person, or third person. There can also be limited omniscient or fully omniscient narration.
Ex: First person – “I heard a sound then ran to the door”
Second person – “You slowly crept to the edge of the room.”
Third person – “Alex was frozen with fear as he thought of the coming attack.”

8. Foreshadowing - Presenting information or objects with little explanation but giving more explanation later in the scene or story. Ex: The wizard placed the glowing wand on the
table then began discussing the matter of food with the elves.

9. Irony - The appearance of something or some situation does not match reality. Ex. A person in a meeting thinks he has presented a great idea, but behind his back
people are laughing.

10. Analogy - Comparison of two things. Similarities. Ex. Teaching a class is like sailing a ship.

11. Simile - Showing a direct comparison. Ex. My hands are as cold as ice.

12. Metaphor - Showing indirect comparison. Ex. My heart is broken. Her bank job was killing her.

13. Personification - Human qualities on inanimate objects. Ex. The shadows embraced me.

14. Symbolism - An object that has meaning of something else. Ex. The letter was a symbol of her devotion to him.

15. Literal - Actual meaning.

16. Figurative - Poetic meaning.

17. Hyperbole - An exaggeration used for poetic emphasis. Ex: My head is about to explode with pain.

18. Exposition - Establishing place and characters. The first part of a story.

19. Rising Action - Increase of tension (conflict) in the story.

20. Climax - The point in a story when conflict is highest. Some decision must be made.

21. Falling Action (Denouement) - The conclusion of the story. Matters are resolved or accepted.