Literary Terms Overview

A situation where there is a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens.

A reference to a person, place, event, or idea from another text or cultural context.

Comparing two unrelated things by stating one thing is another.

Comparing two things using 'like' or 'as'.

An extreme exaggeration used for literary or rhetorical effect.

Downplaying a situation, making it seem less serious or significant than it actually is.

Words that sound like the sounds they represent.

Poetry without a specific meter or rhyme scheme.

A long narrative poem written in verse that is often the length of a novel. The narrative typically tells the story of a single person or a group of people.

A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and rhythm.

A short lyric poem praising an individual, idea, or event.

A poem of 17 syllables, divided into three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. They often focus on nature and simplicity.

A rhythmical pattern in poetry determined by arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables.

A humorous, short poem with a specific rhyme scheme and rhythm.

A poem that mourns death and loss.

A group of words that lacks a subject or predicate, creating an incomplete sentence.

A collection of words that forms a complete thought, containing a subject and predicate.

A word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.

A word that takes the place of a noun, like 'he', 'she', 'it', or 'they'.

A word that describes a verb, adjective, or other adverb.

A type of verb that shows the action of the subject.

A type of verb where the subject is receiving the action.

Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is a brilliant child recruited to Battle School, a military academy in space, to defend Earth from the Formic (alien) threat. Through intense training, Ender becomes a skilled commander, ultimately leading humanity to victory against the Formics.

This book takes place concurrently with the first, but focuses on the perspective of Bean, a brilliant and enigmatic character who, like Ender, becomes a key figure in the war against the Formics.

A novel exploring the aftermath of the Formic war and Ender's emotional journey as he grapples with the consequences of his actions. It introduces a fascinating alien species, the Pequeninos, and raises ethical questions about communication and understanding.

This title refers to the act of wiping out an entire species, in this instance, the Formics, as Ender did in the first book. The novel explores themes of genocide, morality, and the dangers of prejudice.

Michael Vey, a teenager with electric powers, discovers he's not alone. He joins a group of other "Electroclan" members who also possess unique abilities. They face off against a powerful organization called The Elgen, which aims to control and exploit their powers.

A novel that explores the power of literature and its ability to challenge societal norms and ignite rebellions, set in a dystopian future where books are banned and firemen are responsible for burning them.

A dystopian novel that focuses on the dangers of totalitarian regimes and the importance of fighting for freedom, centered around a group of teenagers forced to fight to the death in a televised event in a post-apocalyptic world.

A young adult fantasy series that tells the story of a young boy who discovers he is a wizard, navigating a magical world filled with adventures and challenges.

A fantasy series revolving around the adventures of a group of children in a magical world known as Narnia. The story explores themes of good versus evil, sacrifice, and redemption.

A fantasy series that follows the journeys of hobbits, elves, dwarves, and other fantastical beings as they fight against evil forces in Middle-earth, exploring themes of friendship, courage, and the battle against darkness.

A novel that follows the life of a young orphan named Anne Shirley who is adopted by a brother and sister on a farm, exploring themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery.

A novel that explores themes of family, prejudice, and the importance of standing up for what is right, following the story of a young girl who goes into hiding during World War II with her family, chronicled in her diary.

A story about a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole and ends up in a magical world filled with talking animals and bizarre characters, exploring themes of imagination and the absurdity of life.

A novel that tells the story of a young girl who has to navigate a world where people are categorized into factions based on their personality traits, exploring themes of identity, conformity, and rebellion.

A story that follows the lives of a group of orphaned children who are brought together at a mysterious institution, encountering challenges and uncovering secrets about their past and the nature of their world.

A word ending in -s, -es, or -ies that indicates more than one.

To have a negative effect on something.

The result or outcome of an action or event.

To take something willingly.

To exclude or leave out something.

Used to show time or sequence, like 'then' the sun rose.

Used to make a comparison, like 'taller than' you.

An arid, barren land with little vegetation.

A sweet course served at the end of a meal.

The past tense of 'lead,' meaning 'to guide' or 'to go first.'

A heavy metal used in pipes and batteries.

To lay down something, such as a book or a blanket.

The air that you breathe.

To take a breath.

To move to another country to live permanently.

To move to a country to live permanently.

A place or location, often used with 'there,' like 'there' in the park.

They are. Used to shorten 'they are.'

Belonging to them.

A principal city or town.

A building that houses government.

A person of high rank in the army.

Extremely humble or miserable.

A departure from what is normal or expected.

The act of renouncing something.

To persuade someone with flattery or promises.

Full of energy and excitement.

The illegal act of taking money from a company.

Happening by chance or luck.

A necessary or required duty or responsibility.

A crucial element or part.

Someone who is independent and unconventional.

Harmful or poisonous.

Allowing liquid to pass through.

A sign or warning of something that will happen in the future.

A part of a word that has a specific meaning.

A word part added to the end of a word to change its meaning.

A word part added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning.

A comparison between two things to explain something.

A lack of interest or excitement.

To rudely refuse something.

To take something away as punishment.

A building where plays and performances are held.

A long speech by one character in a play.

A speech by a character speaking their thoughts aloud, often to the audience.

A person who creates the movements and dances in a performance.

The end of a performance where the actors take bows.

A list of the main characters in a play.

A story written in prose, usually longer than a short story.

The people in a story.

The place where a story happens.

The main idea or message of a story.

The person who writes a story.