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

Special | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ALL

P

Personification

A figure of speech in which human qualities are given to an object, animal or idea is personification.

My internet connection died, then the whole computer crashed.

"Oreo: Milk’s favorite cookie."
(slogan on a package of Oreo cookies)

The volcano angrily spewed fire and hot ash into the sky.

Lions are the king of the jungle.

"Fear knocked on the door. Faith answered. There was no one there."
(English proverb quoted by Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos)

Plot

The sequence of events in a story is the plot. Generally built around a conflict, the plot tells what happens, when and to whom.

Plotline

We discuss plotline as having 5 major characteristics (or parts):

* Exposition: The necessary info that introduces the setting, characters, etc.
* Rising Action: The action that develops and leads to the climax, including conflict
* Climax: The moment when the reader's interest and emotional intensity is at its highest points – usually occurs toward the end of the story
* Falling Action: The info that follows the climax, leading to the resolution
* Resolution (Denouement): The end of the story, wrapping it up with any loose ends, and possible lessons learned

Protagonist

The central character or hero in a narrative or drama, usually the one with whom the audience identifies, is a protagonist.