Literature Terms and Concepts Plot structure describes the way in which a story is constructed; it shows the sequence of actions and events. A way to visualize plot structure is with a plot diagram. Generally, plots are built around conflict.

Let’s talk about the word, “narrative” A narrative is any type of writing that “tells”: Can be about an event—like in a newspaper Can be an imaginative—a novel or short story A narrator is the voice that tells the story: Can be a participant in the story Can be an observer—indirectly involved Can be a non-participant—not involved at all—just a voice The narrator is the window into the story—and may present some bias. A reader should do a close reading and be alert to bias.

Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces. Internal conflict: a struggle between opposing forces within a character. This type of conflict often involves a difficult decision, a moral issue between right and wrong, a dilemma. Can be described as man versus himself External conflict: a struggle between a character and another character, nature, society, or any external force. Can be described as man versus man Or man versus society

Point of view is the narrative perspective from which events in a story are told. As readers, we rely on the narrator’s point of view; we are affected by it. In a way, the narrator controls our feelings and thoughts. (But we can disagree with the narrator—or decide if he/she is manipulating us!) (Literary terms begin on page 1142) First-person: the narrator is a character in the story and tells events through his own words. I, me, we are words used in first person pint of view. Third Person:

Third person omniscient: the narrator is an all knowing, objective observer who stands outside the action. This narrator may see in to the minds and motives of any number of characters. Uses he, she, and they. Third person limited:

Imagery: The descriptive words and phrases that a writer uses to create sensory experiences are called imagery. Imagery appeals to the five senses; imagery enables a reader to imagine events, characters, setting and experiences. Imagery enables a reader to “see” and “hear” and “feel” what characters see, hear, and feel. A good reader allows himself to become immersed in the images in order to understand a work more precisely. The strange-shape lights on the hotel made it appear as if ghosts were descending upon the street.

Mood is the feeling or atmosphere a writer creates in a story. It is created by figurative language, imagery, sound, description and connotation. It makes the reader have an emotional response. A movie example: think of a movie that frightened you—a vampire film, a monster movie—the mood is eerie, frightening. In a love story the mood might be romantic and light-hearted. Tone: Tone is not the same as mood. The difference between mood and tone is--

Irony: The contrast/difference between appearance and actuality— when something seems to be one way and it is actually very different— perhaps the opposite. Different types of irony: Verbal irony involves what saying one does not mean. When in response to a foolish idea, we say, “what a great idea!” it is verbal irony. You get injured in a car accident and say, “lucky me!” Situational irony occurs when, for instance, a man is laughing at the misfortune of another person even as the same misfortune, in complete unawareness, is happening to him. You laugh at a person who slipped stepping on a banana peel and the next thing you know, you slipped too. Dramatic irony is when the characters in a story or film cannot see the reality—but the audience or reader can. In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo thinks Juliet is dead and the audience knows she is not.

Characterization The development of characters over the course of a literary work. This is done through 6 levels of characterization: 1. SAYS: How the character speaks and what they say 2. DOES: The actions of the character both stated and implied 3. THINKS: What the character is thinking both stated if in first person or by the narrator. 4. FEELS: How the character feels about other characters, actions, and how other characters feel about the character being developed. 5. STRENGTHS: Good qualities of the character 6. WEAKNESS: Negative qualities about the character.

STATIC CHARACTER: A character who does not undergo a dramatic change over the course of the story. DYNAMIC CHARACTER: A character that does undergo a dramatic change over the course of a story. PROTAGONIST: The main character in a literary work that undergoes the most change throughout the story. This character is also the most central to the conflict of the story. Antagonist : the force in a literary work that works in conflict to the protagonist. Not “the bad guy”.