How to Discuss a Story. Бунеева И.М - 59 стр.

                                          59

Appendix 4

                    EXPLANATION OF LITERARY TERMS

One of the keys to appreciate literature is an awareness of literary devices writers
use to enrich their language and create complexity within a story. In order to
understand the plot (the elements of character, time, place and action in a story)
and the themes (the subject of the story) you should be familiar with such stylistic
devices as metaphor, simile, symbol, etc.

Read the following explanation of some literary terms.

Atmosphere

Atmosphere refers to a dominant feeling in a story. It points to the mental and moral
environment of the story and is different from the setting, which describes the
physical environment in which characters operate. Frequently the setting helps
create the atmosphere.

Setting

The setting of the story refers to the time and place in which the action unfolds. It
can also depict the society and its values. The setting helps us understand the
characters and themes of the story.

Simile

A simile is an explicit comparison that contains the world LIKE and AS.
e.g. He woke up…feeling like a bottle of champagne.. The simile suggests that the
person’s mood is as bright and lively as the famous drink.

Epithet

An epithet is an attributive characterization of a person, thing or phenomenon.
Epithets show purely individual emotional attitude of the speaker towards the object
spoken of, they describe the object as it appears to the speaker.
E.g. “The glow of an angry sunset.”

Metaphor

A metaphor is an implied comparison in which one element is described in terms of
another to create a connection. Unlike a simile, a metaphor is more indirect, and the