Content Vocabulary: Important Literature Terms

Fiction Fiction is prose writing that tells about imaginary characters and events. Fiction is prose writing that tells about imaginary characters and events. Some fiction is entirely made-up, while other fiction is based on real events and/or people Some fiction is entirely made-up, while other fiction is based on real events and/or people

Setting The setting of the literary work is the time and place of the action. The setting of the literary work is the time and place of the action. Time can include not only the historical period—past, present, or future—but also a specific year, season, or time of day. Time can include not only the historical period—past, present, or future—but also a specific year, season, or time of day. Place—though usually physical—may also involve the social, economic, or cultural environment of the story Place—though usually physical—may also involve the social, economic, or cultural environment of the story

Protagonist The protagonist is the main character in a literary work. The protagonist is the main character in a literary work. He/she is NOT necessarily the “good guy”, just the main character He/she is NOT necessarily the “good guy”, just the main character

Antagonist An antagonist is a character or force in conflict with the main character An antagonist is a character or force in conflict with the main character This is NOT necessarily the “bad guy”, just the person or thing that is working against the main character This is NOT necessarily the “bad guy”, just the person or thing that is working against the main character

Conflict INTERNAL -Conflict that occurs inside the character -man Vs. self EXTERNAL –Conflict that occurs outside of the character -man Vs. man -man Vs. nature -man Vs. society -man Vs. fate  A conflict is a struggle between opposing forces.  There are two types of conflict:

Diction Word choice, including vocabulary used, word appropriateness, and vividness of language Word choice, including vocabulary used, word appropriateness, and vividness of language

Mood The feeling created in the reader by a literary work The feeling created in the reader by a literary workTone The attitude toward the subject that an author conveys in a piece of writing The attitude toward the subject that an author conveys in a piece of writing

Purpose The author’s reason for writing a specific piece (Examples: To entertain, to inform, or to persuade the reader) The author’s reason for writing a specific piece (Examples: To entertain, to inform, or to persuade the reader)

Theme The central message or insight into life revealed through a literary work The central message or insight into life revealed through a literary work –This is the deeper meaning, the main lesson/message/moral that the author hopes the reader will understand at the end of the story

Point of View The perspective or angle from which a story is being told The perspective or angle from which a story is being told There are several types: There are several types: –First-Person-Point-of-View: When the narrator telling the story is one of the characters, and tells the story as a personal account –Third-Person-Point-of-View: When the narrator is not one of the characters (has no name, and does not participate in any of the action of the plot)

Point of View (continued) There are also two types of Third-Person- Point-of-View: There are also two types of Third-Person- Point-of-View: –Third--Point-of-View: When the narrator sees the world through one character’s eyes and reveals only that character’s thoughts –Third-Limited-Point-of-View: When the narrator sees the world through one character’s eyes and reveals only that character’s thoughts –Third--Point-of-View: When the narrator sees into the minds of all the characters –Third-Omniscient-Point-of-View: When the narrator sees into the minds of all the characters

Narrator The person from whose perspective a story is told The person from whose perspective a story is told

Plot The sequence of events that make up a story, usually centering around a main conflict The sequence of events that make up a story, usually centering around a main conflict

The Five Stages of Plot

Exposition The first stage of plot! The first stage of plot! In the Exposition, the scene is set: In the Exposition, the scene is set: –this part of the story introduces the characters, tells the reader the setting, and provides all of the necessary background information

Rising Action The second stage of plot! The second stage of plot! This is where the action usually begins. In the Rising Action, the conflict is introduced (either between characters, or with an outside force). This conflict will build up pressure until the Climax This is where the action usually begins. In the Rising Action, the conflict is introduced (either between characters, or with an outside force). This conflict will build up pressure until the Climax

Climax The climax is the highest point of conflict in the story!! The climax is the highest point of conflict in the story!! Generally, this is the point after which everything is different. All of the pressure or events of the Rising Action have stacked up to this moment, when something must change Generally, this is the point after which everything is different. All of the pressure or events of the Rising Action have stacked up to this moment, when something must change

Falling Action This stage begins the downward slope  the conflict lessens, and the plot moves towards closure This stage begins the downward slope  the conflict lessens, and the plot moves towards closure

Resolution/Denouement In the final stage of plot, the conflict concludes, and loose ends are tied up. In the final stage of plot, the conflict concludes, and loose ends are tied up.