Glossary: Literary Terms to Know

These are terms that you are expected to know through all of your English courses at CHS. You will be tested on your ability to recall definitions of these terms, explain instances in the readings where the author used literary devices, and write passages from your own experiences using these devices.

Browse the glossary using this index

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C

Character

Characters take part in the action of a story or a novel.

Conflict

The struggle between opposing forces is conflict, and is usually the basis for the plot since that's what holds the audience's interest.

An external conflict is one against an outside force, such as nature, a physical obstacle or another character. An internal conflict is one that occurs within the character.

There are a few basic types of conflict:
   Man vs. Self
   Man vs. Man
   Man vs. Society
   Man vs. Nature
   Man vs. Supernatural
   Man vs. Machine