Glossary Nfms Essential Literary Terms: Prior To Grade 6

GLOSSARY NFMS ESSENTIAL LITERARY TERMS
Additional resource: www.literarydevices.net

Prior to Grade 6
Metaphor
The comparison of two unlike things to suggest things

which they have in common - for example: Joe is a lion
on the playing field would compare Joe to a lion in how
he moves, his aggression, his animal-like actions, his
skill and strength, his leadership. When you identify a
metaphor, you have to dig deeply to find all of the
layers of possible meaning.
Simile
A comparison between two things, using like or as
Personification
The description of an inanimate object as if it were a

human being or an animal - for example: The kite
tugged and pulled at the string, longing for the
freedom of the skies gives the kite human actions and
a motive for them. In using personification the author
asks the reader to identify with the object or character
viewing it more deeply than would be possible in a
simple description.
Figurative and literal

language
Figurative vs. literal meaning - relates to the meanings

of words and phrases or expressions. For example,
"She was all ears" has a figurative meaning (She was
listening intently) as well as a literal meaning (Her
body was composed of ears or she had a huge set of
ears). Lewis Carroll and other authors use and confuse
the meanings to create nonsense and humor. In some
novels, characters who are literal-minded are a source
of ridicule.
Begun in Grade 6
An allusion is a figure of speech whereby the author
refers to a subject matter such as a place, event, or
literary work by way of a passing reference. It is up to
the reader to make a connection to the subject being
mentioned.
allusion
Example: Its no wonder everyone refers to Sally as

another Mother Teresa in the making; she loves to help
and care after people everywhere- from the streets to
her own friends
antagonist/
An antagonist is the adversary of the hero or
Modified by Parker 2014 from other works

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protagonist of a drama or other literary work
protagonist
Whereas, the protagonist is the main character facing

& dealing with the antagonist.
characterization
Characterization in literature refers the step by step

process wherein an author introduces and then
describes a character. The character can be described
directly by the author or indirectly through the actions,
thoughts, and speech of the character
character motivation
The reasons why a character acts, thinks or feels a

certain way
Connotations are the associations people make with
words that go being the literal or dictionary definition.
Many words have connotations that create emotions or
feelings in the reader.
connotation
Example:
falling.
And once again, the autumn leaves were
denotation
Denotation refers to the use of the dictionary

definition or literal meaning of a word.
Diction is the distinctive tone or tenor of an authors
writings. Diction is not just a writer's choice of words it
can include the mood, attitude, dialect and style of
writing. Diction is usually judged with reference to the
prevailing standards of proper writing and speech and
is seen as the mark of quality of the writing. It is also
understood as the selection of certain words or phrases
that become peculiar to a writer.
diction
Example: Certain writers in the modern day and age

use archaic terms such as thy, thee and wherefore
to imbue a Shakespearean mood to their work.
cause/effect
What caused what to happen as a result
flashback
Flashback is a literary device wherein the author

depicts the occurrence of specific events to the reader,
which have taken place before the present time the
narration is following, or events that have happened
before the events that are currently unfolding in the
story. Flashback devices that are commonly used are
past narratives by characters, depictions and
references of dreams and memories and a sub device
known as authorial sovereignty wherein the author

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directly chooses to refer to a past occurrence by
bringing it up in a straightforward manner. Flashback is
used to create a background to the present situation,
place or person.
Example: Back in the day when Sarah was a young
girl
You can see flashbacks used very often in movies. For
example, it is common in movies for there to be a
flashback that gives the viewer a look into the
characters life when they were younger, or when they
have done something previously. This is done to help
the viewer better understand the present situation.
Foreshadowing refers to the use of indicative word or
phrases and hints that set the stage for a story to
unfold and give the reader a hint of something that is
going to happen without revealing the story or spoiling
the suspense. Foreshadowing is used to suggest an
upcoming outcome to the story.
foreshadow
Example: He had no idea of the disastrous chain of

events to follow. In this sentence, while the
protagonist is clueless of further developments, the
reader learns that something disastrous and
problematic is about to happen to/for him.
One of the strongest devices is imagery wherein the
author uses words and phrases to create mental
images for the reader. Imagery helps the reader to
visualize more realistically the authors writings. The
usage of metaphors, allusions, descriptive words and
similes amongst other literary forms in order to tickle
and awaken the reader's sensory perceptions is
referred to as imagery. Imagery is not limited to only
visual sensations, but also refers to igniting kinesthetic,
olfactory, tactile, gustatory, thermal and auditory
sensations as well.
imagery
Example: The gushing brook stole its way down the

lush green mountains, dotted with tiny flowers in a riot
of colors and trees coming alive with gaily chirping
birds.
irony
The use of words to convey a meaning that is the

opposite of its literal meaning: the irony of her reply,
How nice! when I said I had to work all weekend.
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The emotion that the reader feels as he or she reads an
authors work
mood
point of view (person) 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person
rhyme
Correspondence of sound between words or the

endings of words, especially when these are used at
the ends of lines of poetry -- of a word, syllable, or line
have or end with a sound that corresponds to another
rhythm
A strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or

sound -- the systematic arrangement of word or
musical sounds, principally according to duration and
periodic stress
suspense
A state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty

about what may happen
Symbolism is the literary device that contains several
layers of meaning, often concealed at first sight, and is
representative of several other aspects, concepts or
traits than those that are visible in the literal translation
alone. Symbol is using an object or action that means
something more than its literal meaning.
symbolism
Example: The phrase a new dawn does not talk only

about the actual beginning of a new day but also
signifies a new start, a fresh chance to begin and the
end of a previous tiring time.
The theme of any literary work is the base topic or
focus that acts as a foundation for the entire literary
piece. The theme links all aspects of the literary work
with one another and is basically the main subject. The
theme can be an enduring pattern or motif throughout
the literary work, occurring in a complex, long winding
manner or it can be short and succinct and provide a
certain insight into the story.
theme
Example: The main theme in the play Romeo and

Juliet was love with smaller themes of sacrifice,
tragedy, struggle, hardship, devotion and so on.
Verbal irony is when a speaker doesnt mean what
they say
verbal irony
Example: Lucky me after being in a car accident

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Begun in Grade 7
Allusion is a brief and indirect reference with literary
significance. It does not describe in detail the person or
thing to which it refers. It is just a passing comment
and the writer expects the reader to possess enough
knowledge to spot the allusion and grasp its
importance in a text.
allusion- literary
Example: Dont act like a Romeo in front of her.

Romeo is a reference to Shakespeares Romeo, a
passionate lover of Juliet, in Romeo and Juliet.
allusion- historical
When an author writes something that brings up or

alludes to something in history. They could mention it
or set up a scenario that's nearly the same as the
historical event or time.
Assonance refers to repetition of sounds produced by
vowels within a sentence or phrase. In this regard
assonance can be understood to be a kind of
alliteration. What sets it apart from alliterations is that
it is the repetition of only vowel sounds. Assonance is
the opposite of consonance, which implies repetitive
usage of consonant sounds.
assonance
Example: A long song. (Where the o sound is

repeated in the last two words of the sentence)
claim
An argumentative or persuasive piece of writing must

begin with a debatable thesis or claim. In other words,
the thesis must be something that people could
reasonably have differing opinions on. If your thesis is
something that is generally agreed upon or accepted
as fact then there is no reason to try to persuade
people.
compare/contrast
An exercise about the similarities and differences

between two or more people, places, or things
consonance
Consonance refers to repetition of sounds in quick

succession produced by consonants within a sentence
or phrase. The repetitive sound is often found at the
end of a word. Consonance is the opposite of

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assonance, which implies repetitive usage of vowel
sounds.
Example: He struck a streak of bad luck.
Counterclaim: A claim that negates or disagrees with
the thesis/claim. The rebuttal is the evidence that
negates or disagrees with the claim.
counterclaim
Including a well-thought-out warrant or bridge is

essential to writing a good argumentative essay or
paper. If you present data to your audience without
explaining how it supports your thesis your readers
may not make a connection between the two or they
may draw different conclusions.
dialect
Pronunciation of words specific to an area

Hyperbole is a literary device wherein the author uses
specific words and phrases that exaggerate and
overemphasize the basic crux of the statement in order
to produce a grander, more noticeable effect. The
purpose of hyperbole is to create a larger-than-life
effect and overly stress a specific point. Such
sentences usually convey an action or sentiment that is
generally not practically/ realistically possible or
plausible but helps emphasize an emotion.
hyperbole
Example: I am so tired I cannot walk another inch or

Im so sleepy I might fall asleep standing here.
idiom
Expression peculiar to a language

Oxymoron is a significant literary device as it allows
the author to use contradictory, contrasting concepts
placed together in a manner that actually ends up
making sense in a strange, and slightly complex
manner. An oxymoron is an interesting literary device
because it helps to perceive a deeper level of truth and
explore different layers of semantics while writing.
oxymoron
Example: Sometimes we cherish things of little

value.
He possessed a cold fire in his eyes.
sarcasm
Condescending -- saying the opposite of what is meant

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Example: Can we have class outside today? Yeah,
right! In other words, no.
irony involving a situation in which actions have an
effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that
the outcome is contrary to what was expected.
situational irony
The theme of any literary work is the base topic or

focus that acts as a foundation for the entire text. The
theme links all aspects of the literary work with one
another and is basically the main subject. The theme
can be an enduring pattern or motif throughout the
literary work, occurring in a complex, long winding
manner or it can be short and succinct and provide a
certain insight into the story.
theme
Example: The main theme in the play Romeo and

Juliet was love with smaller themes of sacrifice,
tragedy, struggle, hardship, devotion and so on.
vocab with tone

(positive, negative,
neutral)
The vocabulary chosen by the author to convey specific

emotions that the reader hears and feels through the
words. People adopt variety of tones in day-to-day
speech. This intonation of speech determines what
message they desire to convey.
Begun in Grade 8
journey of hero
allusion -- mythological
The hero's journey forms the basic

template for all great stories. Described
at length in Joseph Campbell's The Hero
with a Thousand Faces, the hero's
journey serves as the tale every culture
tells
A mythological allusion is when a
piece of art, literature or music hints at a
piece of mythology. This mythological
allusion could be with regard to the
countrys indigenous culture or a
reference to another cultures
mythology. Such allusions are not
extended; they are not representations,
metaphors or personifications. They are

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brief passing references to something
mythological that is commonly
understood by the viewer, reader or
listener.
dynamic (round) character
A dynamic character is someone who

undergoes an important, internal change
because of the action in the plot.
Ebenezer Scrooge, from Charles
Dickens's A Christmas Carol, is a classic
example. When we first meet him, he is
mean, bitter, and avaricious
static (flat) character
Flat characters are two-dimensional, in

that they are relatively uncomplicated.
archetype character
Archetypal characters are a major

component of all genres of literature,
and can also be studied in terms of film,
television, and theatre. Archetypes are
present in all forms of media and artistic
expression, and understanding them will
lead to a more developed understanding
of everything you watch and read
Apostrophe in literature shows an
arrangement of words addressing a nonexistent person or an abstract idea in
such a way as if it were present and
capable of understanding feeling.
Example: William Shakespeare:
Is this a daggar which I see before me,
the handle toward my hand?
Come, let me clutch thee!
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.
apostrophe -- literary
In his mental conflict, before murdering

King Duncan, Macbeth has a strange
vision of a dagger and talks to it as if it
was another person.
epiphany
A moment in which you suddenly see or

understand something in a new or very
clear way
euphemism
A mild or indirect word or expression

substituted for one considered to be too

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harsh or blunt when referring to
something unpleasant or embarrassing.
Example: "downsizing as a
euphemism for cuts"
The term Paradox is from the Greek
word paradoxon that means contrary
to expectations, existing belief or
perceived opinion. It is a statement that
appears to be self-contradictory or silly
but may include a latent truth. It is also
used to illustrate an opinion or
statement contrary to accepted
traditional ideas. A paradox is often used
to make a reader think over an idea in
innovative way.
paradox
Example: I am nobody.
tone (diction, imagery, detail)
Tone, in written composition, is an attitude of a

writer toward a subject or an audience. Tone
is generally conveyed through the
choice of words or the viewpoint of a
writer on a particular subject.
The manner in which a writer
approaches a theme and subject is the
tone. The tone can be formal, informal,
serious, comic, sarcastic, sad, and
cheerful or it may be any other existing
attitudes.
Literal imagery is purely descriptive
while figurative may call to mind real
things that can be perceived by the
senses, but it does so as a way of
describing something else -- often some
abstract idea that cannot be literally or
directly described -- this impacts the
tone the author is conveying. Whether
literal or figurative, however, imagery
is generally intended to make

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whatever the author is describing
concrete in the readers mind, to
give it some tangible or real existence
rather than a purely intellectual one.
Imagery also provides the reader with a
sense of vividness and immediacy.
Tone may also refer to the type of
language used in speech or in a work of
literature. Diction with tone in this case
refers to the degree of difficulty,
complexity, abstractness, formality
meter
A stressed and unstressed syllabic

pattern in a verse or within the lines of a
poem. Stressed syllables tend to be
longer and unstressed shorter. In simple
language, meter is a poetic device that
serves as a linguistic sound pattern for
the verses, as it gives poetry a
rhythmical and melodious sound.
archetype setting
An archetype, also known as universal

symbol even a setting. Setting is an
environment or surrounding in which an
event or story takes place.
syntax
Syntax is a set of rules in a language. It

dictates how words from different parts
of speech are put together in order to
convey a complete thought.

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Glossary Nfms Essential Literary Terms: Prior To Grade 6

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GLOSSARY NFMS ESSENTIAL LITERARY TERMS

Additional resource: www.literarydevices.net

The comparison of two unlike things to suggest things

A comparison between two things, using like or as

The description of an inanimate object as if it were a

Figurative and literal

Figurative vs. literal meaning - relates to the meanings

Example: Its no wonder everyone refers to Sally as

An antagonist is the adversary of the hero or

Modified by Parker 2014 from other works