Key Literary Terms and Concepts

Study Notes

Objective Summary: A neutral, concise explanation of key information presented in a text or speech.
Literature: Encompasses all forms of written works, especially in genres like fiction, poetry, and drama.
Informational Text: Non-fiction writing designed to deliver facts or ideas to the reader.
Genre: Classification of writing that includes various categories such as poetry, novels, and informational texts.
Purpose: The intended goal or reason behind the writing.

Prose: Standard writing format characterized by normal sentence and paragraph structure, differing from poetry or drama.
Academic Vocabulary: Specialized terms essential for grasping concepts taught in educational settings.
Author's Viewpoint: The author's personal stance or opinion regarding the subject matter.

Explicit: Information that is clearly articulated and directly stated; represents denotation.
Inferred: Meaning that is suggested or implied rather than directly expressed; relates to connotation.
Elements of Story: Fundamental components every narrative must have.
Setting: Refers to the time and place where the narrative unfolds.
Characters: Individuals or animals who participate in the story's events.
Conflict: The central struggle or issue faced by the protagonist in the narrative.
Climax: The peak of tension in the story where the central conflict reaches its resolution.
Theme: The overarching message or lesson the story conveys to the audience.
Plot: The sequence of interconnected events that form the storyline.
Resolution: The outcome of the conflict, occurring after the climax.

Evidence: Material or proof supporting claims or ideas.
Diction: The selection of words used by the author, influencing tone and meaning.
Imagery: Descriptive writing that evokes visual representations in the reader's imagination.
Details: Specific information or insights that enhance understanding of the subject.
Structure: The arrangement and organization of a piece of writing, influencing its effectiveness.