1. Literary Terms That You Already Know (Mostly)
Story Elements Literary Devices Figures of Speech Language of Analysis
Characterization Foreshadowing Metaphor Diction
(protagonist) (connotation)
(antagonist) Flashbacks (flashforward) Simile (denotation)
(hero)
(dynamic & static) Symbolism-universal, constructed Personification Syntax
Plot Dialogue Genre
(storyline) Synecdoche
(dialect)
(dues ex machine) Speaker/Persona/Voice
(in medias res) Metonymy
Rhetorical Question
Hyperbole (Exaggeration) Attitude
Exposition
Contrast/Juxtaposition
Litotes Audience
Rising action
Repetition
Oxymoron Atmosphere
Climax
Irony (verbal, dramatic, situational)
Paradox Conceit
Falling action
Sarcasm
Apostrophe Structure
Denouement
Satire
Style
Theme Sound Patterns
Paradox
Alliteration Shift
Motif (recurring idea)
Suspense
Assonance Pathos
Setting
(anachronism) Allusion
Blank verse Epiphany
Point of view Ambiguity
(1st, 2nd, 3rd ) Consonance Catharsis
(omniscient) Archetypes (i.e. the quest)
(limited) Euphony Inversion/distortion
(objective) Aside
(stream of consciousness) Cacophony
Monologue
Conflict Onomatopoeia
(versus) Soliloquy
Rhyme
Analogy
Rhythm
Allegory

2. More Useful Words That You Should Know
Imagery To Describe Diction To Describe Purpose To Describe Tone
Visual abstract admonition acerbic apathetic beseeching
Something seen in the mind's eye: anecdote argumentative desultory cajoling
A shape: circle, triangle, square acute
antecedent begrudging detached demanding
A sailing boat aphoristic
A button bitter disengaged dominating
colloquial aphorism
A computer chastising disinterested importunate
apologia condescending dismissive obsequious
concrete
Auditory entreaty contemptuous dispassionate submissive
conventional
Represents a sound: farce contrary flippant sycophantic
The wind blowing through the trees coarse
meditation cynical indifferent
The ring on your telephone discursive
Water lapping on a lake shore myth defiant nonchalant bemused
elevated demeaning offhand contemplative
parable
Olfactory euphemistic denigrating deluded
parody
A smell: florid derisive animistic enigmatic
Newly baked bread
rationalization disdainful blasphemous mystified
Chlorine formal reproach indignant devout otherworldly
New mown grass grandiloquent reproof jaded disciplined pensive
Freshly brewed coffee
hackneyed resentful humble ponderous
homespun sardonic idolatrous surreal
Gustatory scathing prophetic whimsical
A taste: informal Language of Grammar
Sugar scornful redemptive
Bananas
lilting agreement smug secular devious
Salt metaphoric supercilious virtuous duplicitous
Lemon antecedent
mock-heroic malicious
Toothpaste earnest
appositive despondent menacing
objective grim
Tactile complement confessional mendacious
partisan matter-of-fact
A touch: consoling treacherous
pastoral ellipsis resigned effusive vengeful
Standing barefoot on a sandy beach
Running your fingertips on satin fabric pedantic severe elegiac vindictive
Holding a smooth pebble fragment sincere
pejorative emotive
Holding an ice cube solemn
imperative evocative amused
pompous
Kinesthetic idiom ambivalent funereal benign
pretentious nostalgic blithe
A movement: equivocal
Swimming prosaic interrogative capricious maudlin gleeful
Running on grass quaint melancholic tongue-in-check
nominative fickle
Throwing a ball
redundant qualified plaintive trivial
objective ineffectual sentimental
Organic rhetorical
Internal sensation: parallelism tentative somber affectionate
Hunger ribald wistful amorous
Thirst sensory parenthetical urbane ardent
Fatigue naïve
subjective transitive/intransitive flirtatious
Fear
didactic passionate
understated
unabashed volcanic
vivid