Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

Which component of literature includes diction, syntax, and figures of speech?

1. Narrative structure

2. Theme

3. Character development

4. Language

The correct answer is: Language

The component of literature that includes diction, syntax, and figures of speech is called language. This refers to the specific words, phrases, and sentence structures used by an author to convey meaning and create a particular style. While narrative structure, theme, and character development are all important elements of literature, they do not encompass language in its entirety. Narrative structure refers to the organization and structure of a story, theme involves the central message or idea of a work, and character development is the process of creating and evolving characters throughout a story. Therefore, these options are incorrect in regards to the particular elements mentioned in the question, making D the most appropriate answer.