HONORS ENG. 9 LITERARY TERMS PACKET

The time and place of the action in the story Setting/exposition Setting/exposition

Introduces the central conflict in the story Inciting incident Inciting incident In films… In films… In films… In films…

All events that lead up to the climax in a story while conflict builds Rising action Rising action

High point of interest in a story’s plot; often the turning point when the protagonist changes Climax Climax

The point in the plot where the conflict begins to subside and lead to a resolution Falling action Falling action

The final outcome of the complication in a literary work Resolution (denouement) Resolution (denouement)

Internal = man vs. self External = man vs. outside force Internal/external Internal/external

This type of conflict exists when one character struggles against another Man vs. man Man vs. man

This type of conflict exists when a character struggles against his or her own emotions Man vs. self (internal) Man vs. self (internal)

This type of conflict exists when a character struggles with an aspect of the outdoors Man vs. nature Man vs. nature That’s pretty neat! That’s pretty neat! That’s pretty neat! That’s pretty neat!

This type of conflict exists when a character struggles against society as a whole Man vs. society Man vs. society

Interruption in the continuity of a story by narration or portrayal of some earlier episode Flashback Flashback

Clue that suggest events that have yet to occur Foreshadowing Foreshadowing

Speaker or character who tells a story: Narrator Narrator Stranger than Fiction Stranger than Fiction Stranger than Fiction Stranger than Fiction

A recital of events: Narration Narration Note: A personal narrative is about yourself Note: A personal narrative is about yourself

A brief work of fiction with a simple plot and setting Short story Short story s/ s/ s/ s/

The use of ridicule or sarcasm to mock, expose, or attack individuals, groups, institutions or society in general Satire Satire What television program is most famous for its satires? What television program is most famous for its satires? SNL SNL SNL

The writer's attitude toward his or her audience and the subject is called the Tone Tone Name that tone! Name that tone! Words that can describe tone: nostalgic, paranoid, romantic, frantic, angry, fearful, accusatory, gloomy, affectionate, mocking, haughty, optimistic, matter-of-fact, sarcastic, solemn, quizzical, etc. Words that can describe tone: nostalgic, paranoid, romantic, frantic, angry, fearful, accusatory, gloomy, affectionate, mocking, haughty, optimistic, matter-of-fact, sarcastic, solemn, quizzical, etc.

A story which has a disastrous ending: Tragedy Tragedy

Sequence of events in a literary work Plot Plot

The main character in a work of fiction that the reader like to see succeed. Often goes through some type of change throughout the piece Protagonist Protagonist

A character that does not change throughout the story Static/flat Static/flat

Opposes the main character; often viewed as the “villain” Antagonist Antagonist

This type of character shows many different traits and develops and grows throughout the story Dynamic/round Dynamic/round

The reason that explains or partially explains why a character thinks, feels, acts, or behaves a certain way Motivation Motivation

A character who represents the opposite of another character Foil Foil “The Odd Couple” “The Odd Couple” “The Odd Couple” “The Odd Couple”

An “all knowing” narrator that knows the thoughts and feelings of more than one character 3 rd person omniscient point of view 3 rd person omniscient point of view

A narrator that tells the story and is also part of the action 1 st person point of view 1 st person point of view Forest Gump Forest Gump Forest Gump Forest Gump

A narrator that tells us only the actions of the characters or lonely the thoughts and feelings of one character 3 rd person limited 3 rd person limited

This type of characterization occurs when the author directly states a character's traits Direct characterization Direct characterization In the movie Mean Girls, other characters DIRECTLY tell us about the “popular” girls at school In the movie Mean Girls, other characters DIRECTLY tell us about the “popular” girls at schoolMean GirlsMean Girls

This type of characterization occurs when an author shows a character's personality through his/her actions and thoughts, but does not directly tell us about the character his/herself Indirect Indirect

An ordinary, unoriginal character who is representative of a larger group of people Stereotype Stereotype Ex: The dumb blonde Ex: The dumb blonde

An individual in a narrative (can be a major or minor character) Character Character

The emotional feelings inspired by a work; created by word choices, setting, dialogue, and description: Atmosphere/mood Atmosphere/mood Note: “Mood” applies to how the READER feels; “tone” refers to the AUTHOR’S intention Note: “Mood” applies to how the READER feels; “tone” refers to the AUTHOR’S intention Ex: gloomy, confused, tense, etc. Ex: gloomy, confused, tense, etc.

Variety of language spoken by people in a particular region or of a particular group Dialect Dialect Ellen’s dialect test Ellen’s dialect test Ellen’s dialect test Ellen’s dialect test

SOUTHERN SOUTHERN

BOSTON BOSTON

ENGLISH/ BRITISH ENGLISH/ BRITISH

BRONX/ BRONX/ NEW YORK

CANADIAN CANADIAN

HAWAIIAN HAWAIIAN

Literary technique that portrays the difference between appearance and reality, expectation and result, or meaning and expectation Irony Irony Isn’t it ironic? Isn’t it ironic? Isn’t it ironic? Isn’t it ironic?

An object that stands for or represents something else: Symbol Symbol

Words or expressions with a meaning different from the literal interpretation. Figurative language/figure of speech Figurative language/figure of speech

A direct comparison between two unlike things (does NOT use the words "like" or "as" Metaphor Metaphor Will Ferrell uses a metaphor to describe how he feels… Will Ferrell uses a metaphor to describe how he feels… Will Ferrell uses a metaphor to describe how he feels… Will Ferrell uses a metaphor to describe how he feels…

The central message, insight, or generalization about life in a piece of literature Theme Theme All people should live up to their responsibilities because they’re needed by the people around them. *Themes should be statements, not subjects.

A fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a sequential organization of action and scenes.organization Novel Novel.

A comparison between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as" Simile Simile

Giving human qualities to inanimate/nonhuman things Personification Personification Example: Animal Farm Example: Animal Farm