1. Literary Terms
Mr. Nixon’s English II

2. Conflict
A confrontation or struggle between opposing characters or forces in the plot of a narrative work, from which the action emanates and around which it revolves.

3. Two Types of Conflict Internal External
When a character struggles against some outside force, such as another person, nature, society, or fate.
Exists within the mind of a character who is torn between opposing feelings or goals.

4. PLOT The sequence of events in a story, play, or narrative poem.
A plot revolves around a central conflict, or problem, faced by the main characters. The plot usually develops in 5 stages.

5. 5 Stages of Plot
Exposition: introduces the story’s conflict, characters, and setting.
Rising Action: builds suspense and adds complications to the conflict, leading to…
Climax: point of highest emotional pitch.

6. 5 Stages of Plot
4. Falling Action: the logical result of the climax. 5. Resolution (aka denouement): presents the final outcome.

7. SETTING
The time and place in which the events of a literary work occur.

8. CHARACTER
The people, animals, or fantastic creatures that perform the actions.

9. TYPES OF CHARACTER DIRECT CHARACTER INDIRECT CHARACTER
The author makes explicit statements about a character’s traits. Example: Matt was tall, Matt was obnoxious, Matt was smart
The author reveals a character’s traits through his or her words, thoughts and actions, as well as through the responses of other characters. Example: Matt reached up to the top shelf to get down the book, Matt was kicked out of class repeatedly for talking too much, Matt got an A in every class

10. Direct vs. Indirect (give it a try)
Read both paragraphs, which one is direct and which one is indirect?
B. “That Ed Johnson,” said Anderson, watching the old mechanic scratch his head in confusion as the sales rep explained Dralco’s newest engine performance diagnostic computer. “He hasn’t got a clue about modern electronics. Give him a good set of tools and a stack of yellowing manuals with a carburetor needing repair, and he’d be happy as a hungry frog in a fly-field.”
A. Ed Johnson scratched his head in confusion as the sales rep explained Dralco’s newest engine performance diagnostic computer. The old mechanic hated modern electronics, preferring the old days when all he needed was a stack of manuals and a good set of tools.
Is direct. B. is indirect

11. Direct vs. Indirect (give it a try)
Read both paragraphs, which one is direct and which one is indirect?
B. Julie owned a multitude of outfits and accessories, and it always took her forever to decide which combination might impress Trent. As usual, she called her sister several times for advice. After doing so, Julie decided to give the navy blue skirt with the white sweater a try.
A. Julie held up six different outfits in front of the mirror and pondered which would go best with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already procured from her overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and cell-phoning her sister three times for advice, Julie finally made up her mind. She’d give the navy blue skirt and white sweater a try, hoping Trent would love it.
Is indirect. B. is direct

12. TYPES OF CHARACTER (con’t)
STATIC CHARACTER
DYNAMIC CHARACTER
A character that remains the same throughout the story; there is NO internal change.
Character that undergoes change, internally, throughout the story.

13. TYPES OF CHARACTER (con’t)
FLAT CHARACTER
ROUND CHARACTER
AKA stereotype. A character who reveals only one personality trait. You are not given a lot of information of him/her.
One who possesses a complex array of individual traits. The main character is almost always round.

14. CHARACTERIZATION
The methods a writer uses to develop a character.

15. PROTAGONIST
The central character in a narrative literary work, around whom the main conflict revolves. Generally, the reader or audience is meant to sympathize with the protagonist, who usually changes after the climax of the plot.

16. ANTAGONIST
A person or force in society or nature that opposes the protagonist, or central character, in a story or drama. The reader is generally meant not to sympathize with the antagonist.

17. IRONY
A contrast or discrepancy between appearance and reality, or between what is expected and what actually happens. (There are 3 types)

18. VERBAL IRONY
(aka sarcasm) A person says one thing and means another.

19. DRAMATIC IRONY
The audience or reader knows information that characters do not.

20. SITUATIONAL IRONY
(aka Cosmic Irony) when the outcome of a situation is inconsistent with what we expect would logically happen. Example: a thief’s house is broken into at the same time he is breaking into someone’s house.

21. For now, we will be focusing on 1 & 3, and their sub-categories.
POINT OF VIEW
The way the author allows you to "see" and "hear" what's going on.
There are 3 types:
First Person
Second Person
Third Person
For now, we will be focusing on 1 & 3, and their sub-categories.

22. FIRST PERSON
This point of view is in use when a character narrates the story with I-me-my-mine in his or her speech.
The advantage of this point of view is that you get to hear the thoughts of the narrator and see the world depicted in the story through his or her eyes.

23. THIRD PERSON OMNISCIENT
This point of view is that of an outsider looking at the action. The thoughts of every character are open to the reader.

24. THIRD PERSON LIMITED
This point of view is that of an outsider looking at the action. The reader enters only one character's mind, either throughout the entire work or in a specific section. 

25. FORESHADOWING
An author’s use of clues to prepare readers for events that will happen later in a story.

26. MOOD
The emotional quality of a literary work. A writer’s choice of language, subject matter, setting, diction, and tone, as well as sound devices contribute to creating mood.

27. TONE
An author’s attitude toward his or her subject matter. Tone is conveyed through elements of style, including word choice. A writer’s tone may convey a variety of attitudes, such as sympathy, objectivity, or humor.

28. EXPOSITORY WRITING
Expository writing is non-fiction writing; its purpose is to explain, interpret, or clarify.

29. THEME
The central message of a work of literature, often expressed as a general statement about life.