Literary Terminology

Characterization Protagonist: The main character

Characterization Antagonist: The main character’s foe

Characterization Character Foils: Two characters with opposite personalities.

Characterization Flat Character: not really described or developed by the author

Characterization Round Character: described or developed by the author.

Plot Structure Plot Diagram:

Plot Structure Exposition: the setting for the plot Rising action: the events that build up to the confrontation in the story Climax: the most exciting part, the turning point of the story Falling action: the events that follow the climax Resolution: the conclusion of the conflict (how the problem is resolved)

Narrative Order Chronological Order: Events told in time order.

Narrative Order Flashback: Story in present but jumps to the past to build background for the character or plot

Conflicts MAN vs. SELF character struggles with a personal trait or characteristic.

Conflict The problem in the story

Conflicts MAN vs. MAN character struggles with another character in the story.

Conflicts PERSON vs. SOCIETY character struggles with established laws / norms.

Conflicts MAN vs. NATURE character struggles with the environment or natural elements

Conflicts MAN vs. DESTINY character struggles against a pre- determined fate

Suspense Tension in the story that keeps the audience interested in the story.

Foreshadowing Clues about what will happen later on in the story.

Setting Information about where and when a story takes place (settings may change)

Theme The author’s larger message about life. Greed is the root of all evil.

Irony Something unexpected happens; or goes against the expected outcome

Irony Dramatic Irony: the audience knows something the characters do not know.

Irony Situational Irony: audience is shocked by something because the outcome is different from what was expected.

Point of View First Person: Uses first person pronouns such as I, we, us. Narrator is part of action.

Point of View Second Person: Uses the second person pronouns you, your, yours ( role play and “Choose Your Own Adventure” Books)

Point of View Third Person: Uses pronouns such as he, she, it, they, them. The narrator is not a part of the action. Third person objective: narrator tells story through character’s actions and dialogue; no thoughts or feelings revealed Third person omniscient: narrator reveals all character’s thoughts, feelings and is ‘all knowing’ Third person limited: the narrator only reveals the thoughts and feelings of one character

Tone The overall voice used by the author. IE: sarcastic, witty, serious, etc.

Mood The overall emotion / atmosphere created by the author. IE: happy, sad, frightened,etc.

The End!