English 10 Literary Terms

Plot series of events in a work of literature, which should have a beginning, a middle and an ending, building toward a desired effect or outcome

Climax Falling Action Rising Action Resolution Exposition Plot Diagram

Exposition Introduction / Background to a Story Setting Character Conflict “Previously on Lost”

Climax Turning point of the story Greatest tension point in a work Occurs after rising action and right before falling action

Resolution End result of the story Occurs after the climax and the falling action

Complications Difficult circumstances that come about through the character's attempts to find solutions to his/her problem

Ariel’s father forbids her from human contact Ursula takes Ariel’s voice Prince Eric plans to marry someone else

Internal vs. External Conflict A struggle within a character External A struggle between a character and something else (i.e. another character)

Foreshadowing Hints or clues to what may happen later in the plot

Ambiguity An element of uncertainty in a text in which something can be interpreted in a number of different ways

Suspense Uncertainty of anxiety felt during a story Makes the reader wonder: “What will happen next?”

Characterization The method by which an author creates the appearance and personality of imaginary figures. Brings the central figures in a piece of literature to life for the reader.

Protagonist vs. Antagonist Main character in story Often the “hero” Antagonist Opponent of protagonist

Point of View How the story is told/Perspective 1st Person 3rd Person “I” narrator Part of the story 3rd Person “he/she” narrator Not part of the story Omniscient All-knowing narrator who can see, hear, and know everything, tells a story.

Mood & Tone Mood Tone The story’s atmosphere or the feeling it evokes The attitude a writer takes toward a subject, a character, or the reader

Setting Time and Place of a story

Subject vs. Theme Stranger Danger Subject Theme The topic that the author is writing about Theme Main idea or underlying meaning of a work “Message / purpose / lesson” implied in a work Stranger Danger

Simile vs. Metaphor Simile Metaphor A comparison of two different objects, actions, or attributes that are similar using like,” “as,” or “as if” Metaphor A direct comparison of two unlike objects, ideas, or people, generally using “is, was, are, were.”

Imagery Involves one or more of your five senses (hearing, taste, touch, smell, sight) Creating a mental image or picture for the reader

Symbolism The use of objects, actions, colors, numbers, or characters meant to be representative of something else Shape  Symbol Heart  Love

Irony—Three Types Type of Irony Verbal Situational Dramatic When you say the opposite of what you mean i.e. Sarcasm Situational When something happens that is opposite of what’s expected Dramatic When you know what will happen but the characters don’t