Reference list of Literary Terms for Middle School students
alliteration - the repetition of similar initial consonant sounds in order to create a
musical or rhythmic effect, to emphasize key words or to imitate sounds.
Example: “He was reluctant to return to the room he called home.�
allusion - a reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work
of art, often used to help make a comparison.
biography - a form of non-fiction in which a writer tells the life story of another
person.
character trait – the quality of a character; what a character is like.
climax – the highest point of action in a story, often the turning point.
direct characterization – the writer directly states the character’s traits or
characteristics.
dynamic character – a character who changes over the course of a story
external conflict – a problem or struggle between a character and an
outside force:
character vs. character
character vs. group
character vs. nature
character vs. society
character vs. fate
fable - a brief story, usually with animal characters, that teaches a lesson or
a moral.
fiction – writing that tells about imaginary characters and events.
flashback - a section in a literary piece that interrupts the sequence of events in
order to relate an earlier incident or set of events.
foreshadowing – an author’s use of hints or clues to give a reader an idea of what
may happen next.
free-verse - poetry that has irregular lines and may or may not rhyme.
generalization – a vague or indefinite statement that is made to cover many cases.
Example: “All human beings hope for something.�
hyperbole – use of extreme exaggeration.
idiom - a word or phrase which means something different from what it
says – it is usually a metaphor. An idiom is an expression peculiar to a
certain group of people and/or used only under certain circumstances.
imagery – words or phrases that appeal to one or more of the five senses and help
to create a vivid description for the reader.
indirect characterization – the writer allows the reader to draw his/her conclusions
as to what a character is like, based on the appearances, words, actions, and
interactions with other characters.
inference – a conclusion drawn by the reader based on available information.
internal conflict – a problem within a character (character vs. self).
irony - a situation where the opposite of what is expected to occur or exist does
occur or exist.
metaphor - a figure of speech in which something is described as if it were
something else; a comparison made without using “like� or “as�.
mood – the atmosphere or feeling an author creates within the piece of writing.
moral – a lesson taught by a literary work.
motivation – a reason that explains or partially explains a character’s thoughts,
feelings, actions, or speech.
alliteration - the repetition of similar initial consonant sounds in order to create a
musical or rhythmic effect, to emphasize key words or to imitate sounds.
Example: “He was reluctant to return to the room he called home.�
allusion - a reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work
of art, often used to help make a comparison.
biography - a form of non-fiction in which a writer tells the life story of another
person.
character trait – the quality of a character; what a character is like.
climax – the highest point of action in a story, often the turning point.
direct characterization – the writer directly states the character’s traits or
characteristics.
dynamic character – a character who changes over the course of a story
external conflict – a problem or struggle between a character and an
outside force:
character vs. character
character vs. group
character vs. nature
character vs. society
character vs. fate
fable - a brief story, usually with animal characters, that teaches a lesson or
a moral.
fiction – writing that tells about imaginary characters and events.
flashback - a section in a literary piece that interrupts the sequence of events in
order to relate an earlier incident or set of events.
foreshadowing – an author’s use of hints or clues to give a reader an idea of what
may happen next.
free-verse - poetry that has irregular lines and may or may not rhyme.
generalization – a vague or indefinite statement that is made to cover many cases.
Example: “All human beings hope for something.�
hyperbole – use of extreme exaggeration.
idiom - a word or phrase which means something different from what it
says – it is usually a metaphor. An idiom is an expression peculiar to a
certain group of people and/or used only under certain circumstances.
imagery – words or phrases that appeal to one or more of the five senses and help
to create a vivid description for the reader.
indirect characterization – the writer allows the reader to draw his/her conclusions
as to what a character is like, based on the appearances, words, actions, and
interactions with other characters.
inference – a conclusion drawn by the reader based on available information.
internal conflict – a problem within a character (character vs. self).
irony - a situation where the opposite of what is expected to occur or exist does
occur or exist.
metaphor - a figure of speech in which something is described as if it were
something else; a comparison made without using “like� or “as�.
mood – the atmosphere or feeling an author creates within the piece of writing.
moral – a lesson taught by a literary work.
motivation – a reason that explains or partially explains a character’s thoughts,
feelings, actions, or speech.
