Literary Terms

The author’s way of explaining the people in the story CHARACTERIZATION The author’s way of explaining the people in the story 5 Modes of Characterization: what the character does, says, thinks, how he/she looks, and what other characters think of him/her OR S.T.E.A.L.

One who takes the leading part in a drama, novel, or story. PROTAGONIST One who takes the leading part in a drama, novel, or story. (main character)

Person or thing fighting against the main character of a story. ANTAGONIST Person or thing fighting against the main character of a story.

The sequence of events that take place in a story. PLOT The sequence of events that take place in a story.

CLIMAX Highest point in the action, main character makes a final decision that solves the conflict. TURNING POINT

TIME and PLACE in which the story’s events occur. SETTING TIME and PLACE in which the story’s events occur.

CONFLICT The struggle or problem that takes place between two opposing forces

EXTERNAL CONFLICT A struggle between a character and an outside force is an external conflict.

PERSON VS. NATURE Individual must battle the forces of nature, usually for survival Environment is defined as anything surrounding a person. This can include weather, objects, activities. Basically anything external EXCEPT people.

PERSON VS. PERSON Individual must face another individual in competition or combat This is mostly seen in the form of two characters against each other. It does not have to be a physical confrontation; it can be a battle between two ideas.

PERSON VS. SOCIETY Individual struggles against larger societal forces such as governments or cultures.

INTERNAL CONFLICT A struggle that takes place in a character's mind is called internal conflict.

INTERNAL CONFLICT continued… NOT visual or tangible A character dealing with his or her own mixed feelings or emotions.

PERSON VS. SELF A character may have to decide between right and wrong or between two solutions to a problem. Person vs. Self

MOOD General feeling or atmosphere a reader gets from a story, created by using imagery or descriptions – can usually be described in one word MOOD = ME

The author's attitude towards the topic TONE The author's attitude towards the topic TONE = AUTHOR

DIALOGUE Refers to the talking that goes on between characters in a story. A conversation between characters.

THEME The big idea that the story conveys about life. The writer usually doesn’t state the theme directly.

A vantage point from which the story is told POINT OF VIEW A vantage point from which the story is told

FIRST PERSON The narrator uses first-person pronouns such as: I, me, my, we, our… Readers see events from the perspective of ONE important character. Readers often understand the main character better.

THIRD PERSON LIMITED The narrator uses third- person pronouns such as: he, she, it, his, hers… The narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of ONE character; usually the main character.

THIRD PERSON OMNIISCIENT OMNISCIENT- all knowing Often described as being able to look down from above to see and hear. Godlike narrator; he/she can enter the minds of ALL characters and knows everything that is going on, past, present, and future.

THIRD PERSON OBJECTIVE Narrator = Neutral The narrator does not reference any thoughts/feelings of the characters. The narrator tells it like it is.

For example, a drama or comedy is a genre of literature. A type of literature. For example, a drama or comedy is a genre of literature.

SHORT STORY A short fictional narrative. Short stories are often found in collections like anthologies.

NOVEL A fictional work of substantial length. For example, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

A brief story about an interesting, amusing, or strange event. ANECDOTE A brief story about an interesting, amusing, or strange event.

FORESHADOWING Providing hints about what is going to happen in the story. A method used to build suspense.

FLASHBACK A reference to an event that took place prior to the beginning of a story or play.

SUSPENSE The quality in a literary work that makes the reader uncertain or tense about what is going to come next.

COMPARE to examine (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in order to note similarities.

CONTRAST To compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc.

SYMBOL Concrete or real objects used to represent an idea. For example: a dove stands for Peace. This flag is a SYMBOL for the United States of America, it also stands for freedom.

SYMBOL continued… Symbols can be characters, such as a character symbolizing good or evil.  Yes, people can be symbols! Objects can also be symbols, such as the claw necklace from The Dragonling. 

Authors use symbolism, a form of imagery, when they want to portray something to the reader without actually saying what they mean. Symbols are used in daily life. Many road signs are symbols, as is the traditional red and white pole for a barber's shop. Other examples: A snake may represent evil A storm might represent emotions The color red might symbolize danger A crown signifies authority and leadership

IRONY An outcome of events that is the opposite of what was, or might have been expected. Irony can be intentional or unintentional

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