Basic Literature Terms

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inkquill_writer 20 terms Feb 3, 2026

Terms 20

1

Theme

Central idea or message of a story

2

Plot

Sequence of events in a story

3

Character

Person or figure in a story

4

Protagonist

Main character of a story

5

Antagonist

Character opposing the protagonist

6

Setting

Time and place where a story occurs

7

Conflict

Struggle between opposing forces in a story

8

Climax

Most intense point of the story

9

Resolution

Final outcome of the story

10

Foreshadowing

Hints about future events

11

Irony

Difference between expectation and reality

12

Metaphor

Comparison between two unlike things without 'like' or 'as'

13

Simile

Comparison using 'like' or 'as'

14

Symbolism

Object representing deeper meaning

15

Alliteration

Repetition of beginning consonant sounds

16

Imagery

Descriptive language appealing to the senses

17

Narrator

Voice telling the story

18

First Person

Narration using 'I' or 'we'

19

Third Person

Narration using 'he', 'she', or 'they'

20

Tone

Author's attitude toward the subject