1. Literary Terms 2

2. Plot
The sequence of events in a narrative work. The plot is made up of the following elements:
Exposition
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Resolution

3. Plot (ctd)

4. Exposition Introduction to the story
Reader gets information about the characters, setting, conflicts, etc.
“Background information”

5. Rising Action
Occurs in the story as complications, twists, or intensifications of the conflict occurs.
The action that leads up to the climax

6. Climax
The emotional high point of the story.
The “turning point”

7. Falling Action
The action that follows the climax and leads to the resolution.

8. Resolution
The part of the plot that concludes the falling action by revealing or suggesting the outcome of the conflict.

9. Setting
The time and place in which the events of a story, novel, or play take place.
Often helps create atmosphere or mood
Not just physical- includes ideas, customs, values, and beliefs of a particular time and place.

10. Point of view The perspective from which a story is told 1st period
3rd person omniscient
3rd person limited

11. First person POV The narrator is a character in the story
Narrator uses “I”
Reader sees everything through the character’s eyes.

12. 3rd person Limited POV
Narrator reveals the thoughts, feelings, and observations of only ONE character. Refers to that character as “he” or “she” but is not actually that character.

13. 3rd person omniscient POV
“All- knowing” narrator
The narrator is not a character in the story, but is someone who stands outside of the action and comments.
Knows everything about the characters in the story and may reveal details that the characters couldn’t.

14. Hyperbole
A figure of speech in which great exaggeration is used for emphasis or humorous effect.

15. Imagery
The “word pictures” that writer’s use to help evoke an emotional response in readers. In creating effective imagery, writers use sensory details, or descriptions that appeal to one or more of the five senses.
Sight
Hearing
Touch
Taste
Smell

16. Foreshadowing
An author’s use of clues that hint at events that will occur later in the plot.
Helps to build suspense as well as prepare readers for what is to come.

17. Flashback
A literary device in which an earlier episode, conversation, or event is inserted into the chronological sequence of a narrative.

18. Conflict
The struggle between opposing forces in a story or play.

19. Man vs Man
A conflict that occurs between two characters.

20. Man vs Self An internal struggle within a character.
Also known as an internal conflict.

21. Man vs Nature
A conflict in which a character must overcome a force of nature.
External conflict

22. Man vs gods/fate
Man versus fate occurs when a character is compelled to follow an unknown destiny. Man versus fate conflict breeds internal conflict, while forcing a character to consciously, or subconsciously, act on his or her fate.
Internal struggle

23. Man vs society
When characters struggle against the their culture and government
External conflict

24. Paradox
A situation or statement that involves two parts, both of which are true but seem to contradict each other.

25. Characterization
The method the author uses to reveal a character’s personality.
Two types:
Direct
Indirect

26. Direct Characterization
The author or narrator makes direct statements about a character’s traits.
“She was nice”
“He was very religious”

27. Indirect Characterization
The author or speaker reveals a character’s personality through the character’s own words, thoughts, and actions and through the words, ,thoughts, and actions of other characters.
Kody kicked the stray cat as he walked by.

28. Character An individual in a literary work.
May be people, animals, robots, or whatever the author chooses.

29. Dynamic Character
A character that develops and changes over the course of a literary work.

30. Static Character
A character that remains the same throughout a literary work from beginning to end.

31. Round Character
A character that shows many, and some times contradictory traits.

32. Flat Character
A character that only reveals one personality trait.

33. Protagonist
The central character in a literary work around whom the main conflict revolves.
Often, the person with whom the audience members or readers sympathize or identify with.

34. Antagonist
The person or force in society or nature that opposes the protagonist in a literary work.

35. Archetype A very typical example of a certain person or thing.
The airhead
The jock
Mystery story
Love story

36. Theme The main idea or message of a literary work.
An insight about life or human nature.
Stated- one which is expressed directly and explicitly.
Implied- a theme that is revealed gradually through other literary elements (plot, setting, character, point of view, imagery, etc)