This document defines and provides examples of common literary terms including: flashback, allusion, foreshadowing, mood, tone, symbolism, allegory, satire, parody, parable, fable, theme, paradox, archetype. Flashbacks refer to memories from the past important to the plot. Allusions reference well-known works or people. Foreshadowing hints at future events. Mood and tone describe the feeling and way a story is conveyed. Symbolism uses one thing to represent another. Allegories represent other ideas throughout the story. Satire and parody are used for ridicule or mockery. Parables and fables convey short lessons using stories. Themes represent the overall meaning. Paradox

1. LITERATURE TERMS
THAT WE MUST KNOW!
YAY!

2. FLASHBACK
• A CHARACTER REMEMBERS SOMETHING
FROM HIS OR HER PAST THAT IS KEY TO THE
PLOT.

3. ALLUSION
• A REFERENCE TO A WELL KNOWN BODY OF
WORK OR PERSON THAT THE AUTHOR
ASSUMES YOU ALREADY KNOW.

4. FORESHADOW
• A HINT OF WHAT IS TO COME IN THE STORY.
• WE OFTEN DO NOT KNOW THAT SOMETHING
IS BEING FORESHADOWED UNTIL THE EVENT
OCCURS AND WE THINK BACK ON PREVIOUS
CHAPTERS.

5. MOOD
• THE “FEELING” OF THE STORY
• Words That Describe Mood: Fanciful
Melancholy Frightening Mysterious
Frustrating Romantic Gloomy Sentimental
Happy Sorrowful Joyful Suspenseful

6. TONE
• THE WAY THE STORY COMES ACROSS. STORIES
HAVE TONES JUST LIKE PEOPLE HAVE TONES.
• Words That Describe Tone: Amused -
Humorous - Pessimistic - Angry - Informal -
Playful - Cheerful – Ironic - Pompous - Horror –
Light - Sad – Clear - Matter-of-fact - Serious -
Formal - Resigned - Suspicious - Gloomy –
Optimistic - Witty

7. SYMBOL & SYMBOLISM
• ONE THING STANDS FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
• IN REAL LIFE - SYMBOLS MAKE LIFE EASIER BUT
SYMBOLS CAN ALSO COVER UGLY TRUTHS.
• IN LITERATURE – SYMBOLS MAKE THE STORY
INTERESTING. IT IS LIKE A GAME. SYMBOLISM CREATES
LAYERS THAT ONLY SOME WILL UNDERSTAND. LEARN
HOW SYMBOLISM WORKS – LEARN TO NOT BE LITERAL –
AND YOU WILL BE ONE OF THE “SOME!”

8. ALLEGORY
• THE ENTIRE STORY STANDS FOR SOMETHING ELSE
AND CONTINUES THROUGHOUT.
• EXAMPLE:
ORWELL’S ANIMAL FARM = RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

9. SATIRE
• IRONIC EXAGGERATION OR RIDICULE TO
MAKE A STRONG POINT ABOUT A VICE OR
WEAKNESS.
SATIRE OFTEN BITES – MAKES YOU WINCE
EXAMPLE:
SWIFT’S PROPOSAL TO EAT THE IRISH BABIES TO RID THE COUNTRY OF POVERTY AND
OVER POPULATION. HE USED SATIRE (EAT THEM) TO MAKE HIS REAL POINT OF
EDUCATING THE POOR AND TREATING THEM LIKE HUMANS.

10. PARODY
• TO MOCK OR IMMITATE FOR HUMOR
PURPOSES.

11. PARABLE
• SHORT STORY WITH A LESSON.
A WOLF!

12. FABLE
• A FABLE IS LIKE A PARABLE, EXCEPT IT USES
ANIMALS!

13. THEME
• THE OVERALL MEANING OR CATEGORY OF
THE STORY
EXAMPLES:
LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
REVENGE
FALL FROM GRACE
LOSS
DISCOVERY
COMING OF AGE

14. PARADOX
A contradiction or what seems to be the
problem is the solution.
EX: Nobody goes to that restaurant because it is
too crowded.
EX: The answer is there are no answers.
EX: You shouldn't go in the water until you
know how to swim.

15. ARCHETYPE
• A prototype upon which others are copied,
patterned, or emulated. A constantly recurring
symbol or motif in literature, painting or mythology.
• Examples: The Innocent, The Hero, The Sage, The
Orphan, The Rebel, The Jester, The Buffoon, The
Explorer, The Evil Overlord, Etc… (Think every character in
Star Wars & you will know EVERY archetype.)

16. - NOW -
• THE DEVIL & TOM WALKER