Literary Terms
Reader’s Handbook
Pg. 332, 391
antagonist
Definition – the person or
thing working against
the main character
Synonyms – competitor, foe
Antonyms –
friend
helper
character
Definition – a person, animal,
or imaginary creature that
takes part in the action of
a story.
Synonyms – personality,
actor
Antonyms – reader,
audience
dialogue
Definition – words that the
characters speak
Synonyms – conversation
Antonyms – silence
dynamic character
Definition – changes from the
beginning of the story to
the end of the story.
Synonyms – changes, evolves,
grows
Antonyms –
unchanging,
fixed
Fiction
Definition- a story that is
imagined. It may tell about
impossible events, or it may
tell about things that could
be true.
Examples- short stories,
folktales, & historical fiction
mood
Definition – the feeling a
literary work gives to
readers. Words, phrases,
and images create mood.
Synonyms – atmosphere,
feelings, outlook
Antonyms – tone, traits
nonfiction
Definition- works that are
true. They contain facts
and ideas that really
happened.
Purpose- to inform, to
persuade, or to
entertain the reader
plot
Definition – the action or
sequence of events in
a story
Synonyms – action,
storyline
Antonyms – accident,
chance
protagonist
Definition – the main
character or most
important character
Synonyms – leading
role
Antonyms –
competitor,
opponent
setting
Definition – the time and place
of the action in a literary
work
Synonyms – scene, location
Antonyms – character,
dialogue
static character
Definition – stays the same
throughout the story
Synonyms – unchanging, fixed
Antonyms –
changing,
evolving
style
Definition – the way the author
uses words, phrases,
and sentences
Synonyms – method, technique
Antonyms – theme
theme
Definition – a writer’s message
or main idea
Synonyms – big idea, message
Antonyms –
meaningless
tone
Definition – the attitude the
writer takes toward the
audience, the subject, or
a character
Synonyms – attitude, opinion
Antonyms – mood, voice