Glossary of Literary Terms

Monologue

A monologue is a speech given by a single character in a story.

 

Motif

A motif is a symbolic image or idea that appears frequently in a story. Motifs can be symbols, sounds, actions, ideas, or words.

 

Mystery

Mystery is a genre of literature whose stories focus on a mysterious crime, situation or circumstance that needs to be solved.

N

Narrative

A narrative is a story. The term can be used as a noun or an adjective. As a noun, narrative refers to the story being told. As an adjective, it describes the form or style of the story being told.

 

Nemesis

A nemesis is an enemy, often a villain. A character’s nemesis isn’t just any ordinary enemy, though – the nemesis is the ultimate enemy, the arch-foe that overshadows all the others in power or importance.

 

Neologism

Neologism is new word or phrase that is not yet used regularly by most speakers and writers.