Literary Terms

Plot: The sequence of events in a story Exposition Inciting incident Rising action Climax Falling action Resolution

Plot: Exposition Sets up the tone, establishes the setting, introduces the characters, gives background information Inciting Incident: The event that triggers the action/conflict in a literary work

Plot: Rising Action Events in the story that move the plot along by adding complications or expanding the conflict

Plot: Climax Moment when the reader’s interest and emotional intensity reach the high point

Plot: Falling Action The events that follow the climax and lead to the resolution

Plot: Resolution The part of a literary work where the conflict is resolved Also known as the denouement

Theme Main idea of a piece of literature Perception about life or human nature Not to be confused with a moral (lesson taught) Often implied (not directly stated)

Symbol Person, place, activity, or object that stands for something beyond itself

Suspense The excitement or tension you feel as you become involved in a story and there are elements of the unknown

Irony: When the outcome is different than what it would have seemed to be Verbal What is said isn’t what was meant. Dramatic The audience knows something the characters don’t. Situational What happens is not what was expected.

Point of View The method of narrating a piece of literature First person The narrator is a character in the story. Second person The narrator is you. (Choose Your Own Adventure books) Third person The narrator is outside of the story Third person omniscient The narrator is all-knowing. Third person limited The narrator has limited knowledge.

Character Protagonist Central character/hero The audience usually identifies with this character. Antagonist Principle character working against the hero The antagonist can be a force of nature, aspect of society, and/or an internal force.

Conflict The struggle between opposing forces Man v. Man External conflict Characters struggle against each other Man v. Nature External conflict A character struggles against a force of nature Man v. Society External conflict A character struggles against his society Man v. Himself internal conflict A character struggles against an inner force

Foreshadowing A writer’s use of hints or clues to indicate events and situations later in the story Creates suspense for the reader Prepares the reader for what is coming

Mood The atmosphere or feeling the author creates Techniques to create mood Descriptive words The setting Figurative language Sound/rhythm of language

Character: Part II Major Most important character(s) Round Characters who are well described Dynamic Characters who change as the plot unfolds Minor Help the story move along Flat Simple characters without a lot of description Static Characters who remain the same

Characterization The methods the author uses to develop a character Direct The author comes right out and describes the character Indirect The author uses: the character’s thoughts/feelings/actions/speech physical description and /or the thoughts/feelings/actions/speech of other characters

Figurative Language Language that communicates ideas beyond the literal meanings of words Figures of speech Simile Compares two things using “like” or “as” Metaphor Compares two things that are not alike, but have something in common Hyperbole The truth is exaggerated for humor or effect Personification Human characteristics are given to inhuman things

Tone The attitude a write takes toward his/her subject

Allusion An indirect reference to another literary work or a famous person, place, or event

Evaluate Form opinions while reading and upon completion of reading. Develop your own ideas about characters and events. Also, evaluate your reading and comprehension so you can make adjustments.

Question Ask questions about characters, motives, events, etc. It can help you feel closer to what you are reading.

Clarify Review what you understand as you read. Reread and use resources to help you clarify your understanding.

Visualize Picture the characters, setting, and events in your head.

Connect Connect personally with what you read. Think of similarities between your life and experiences and what is going on in the story.