Literary Terms & Devices ELEMENTS OF FICTION ~REVIEW

 A protagonist is considered to be the main character or lead figure in a novel, play, story, or poem. It may also be referred to as the "hero" of a work.  The protagonist does NOT have to be a “good guy.” PROTAGONIST

 A character in a story or poem who deceives, frustrates, or works against the main character, or protagonist, in some way. ANTAGONIST  The antagonist doesn’t necessarily have to be a person. It could be death, the devil, an illness, or any challenge that prevents the main character from living “happily ever after."  In fact, the antagonist could be a character of virtue in a literary work where the protagonist represents evil.

 The plan or storyline of a narrative (play, novel, short story, film, etc.). PLOT

 The background information. This introduction to the novel establishes the setting and describes the situation. PLOT: EXPOSITION

 In literature, the rising action comprises all the decisions, background circumstances, and character flaws that combine to create twists and turns toward a climax. This part tends to be dramatic and builds tension towards the climax. PLOT: RISING ACTION

 The point of highest tension in the novel. The protagonist and the antagonist finally come head to head and usually one will lose to the other. PLOT: CLIMAX

 This part of the plot reveals to us the consequences of the climax and all of the tension that had been building finally begins to ease. PLOT: FALLING ACTION

 The story’s central conflict/problem has finally been solved and the reader is (usually) left with a sense of completion. PLOT: RESOLUTION/DÉNOUEMENT

 An indication or hint of things yet to occur in the plot FORESHADOWING

2nd Person 3rd Person 1 st Person Objective (Camera View) Omniscient Limited Omniscient He, She, it POINT OF VIEW (POV)

THEME  The main idea or underlying meaning in a literary work.  It makes a statement about a subject or topic that appears in a work.

MORAL  The lesson or principle contained in or taught by a fable, a story, or an event.

SYMBOL  A word or object that represents another word or object. The object or word can be seen with the eye or not visible.  For example: A dove stands for peace.

 The development or creation of characters in a narrative  A dynamic character undergoes a fundamental change  * Whereas a static character remains the same  CHARACTERIZATION

 The twisting or foiling of expectations IRONY  Dramatic  Situational  Verbal

IMAGERY

FIGURES OF SPEECH/ SOUND DEVICES

 Often uses like, as, similar to, as if, & resembles SIMILE

 Often uses is, was… METAPHOR

PERSONIFICATION Personification is giving human features to something that is not human. Anthropomorphism

 An extreme exaggeration HYPERBOLE

 A word that imitates the sound it describes ONOMATOPOEIA

ALLUSION “Achilles Heel"  Draws upon the ready stock of ideas or emotion already associated with a topic in a relatively short space.  To Allude: To refer to indirectly; to make a disguised reference.  Synonyms: To hint at; to suggest. “We’re not in Kansas any more.” “ KOBE!”

 "Bitsy Big-Boy Boomeroo" in Dr. Seuss's The Butter Battle Book. ALLITERATION  Assonance o The Cat in the Hat likes to chat.  Consonance o I think we are on the brink of something great.