Literary Analysis Terms Quiz

Literary Analysis Terms

• Infer: To deduce or conclude information not explicitly stated. This involves using clues and evidence from the text.

• Explicit & Implicit: Explicit information is directly stated, while implicit information is implied or suggested. Identifying both is essential for understanding context.

• Summarize: Condensing a longer piece of text into a shorter version while retaining the main points. A good summary captures the essential content without unnecessary detail.

• Theme: A central message or idea explored in a text. It often reflects on universal human experiences.

• Character: A person, animal, or entity in a story, poem, or other work of literature. Character analysis involves considering their traits, motivations, and actions.

• Plot: The sequence of events in a narrative. It involves the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

• Connotative Meaning: The implied or suggested meaning of a word beyond its literal definition. It often carries emotional or cultural associations.

• Resolution: The outcome of a narrative's conflict. The resolution often resolves the conflict or shows its lasting impact.

• Conflict: A struggle or opposition between opposing forces. Conflict is often a driving force in a narrative.

• Climax: The turning point of a narrative or drama. It marks the highest point of tension and often introduces a decisive action or event.

• Figurative Language: Language that uses words or phrases beyond their literal meaning for effect. Examples are metaphors, similes, personification.

• Context Clues: Hints within a text that help define the meaning of unfamiliar words. They are essential tools for understanding vocabulary in context.

• Text Structure: The organization and arrangement of ideas in a text. Common structures are chronological, cause-and-effect, problem-solution, compare-contrast.

• Verse: A single line of poetry. In poems, verses are arranged in stanzas.

• Rhythm: The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry. This can create a musical quality in the poem.

• Setting: The time and place of a story, play, or poem. Setting affects the mood and tone of a narrative.

• Literary Devices: Techniques authors use to create meaning and effect. These are specific methods to achieve specific effects.

• First-Person: A narrative perspective where the story is told by a character using "I". This gives a limited point of view.

• Third-Person: A narrative perspective where the story is told by a narrator outside the story and uses "he," "she," or "it." A third-person narrator can provide various perspectives on the characters and plot.

• Author's Purpose: The reason an author creates a work. Authors write for different reasons, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or express themselves.