Literary Terms

The beginning of the story where the author is giving us background information about the setting and characters. Exposition

A series of events that builds from the conflict A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the inciting force and ends with the climax. Rising Action

The highest point of tension or suspense in a story. Climax

After the climax, where the conflict begins to finalize. Falling Action

The ending or conclusion of the story. Resolution

The sequence of events of the story that is made up of the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Plot

Point of View The perspective from which the story is told. 1st person: The narrator is a character in the story- uses first person pronouns like I, me, my. 3rd person: The narrator is not in the story- Uses pronouns like he, she, him, her, and his.

Conflict – external/internal Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces- can be internal or external. External conflict - A struggle between separate people, animals, or objects. A struggle outside of one’s self – like between 2 people, between man and nature, etc Internal conflict – a struggle within one’s self. For example, a tough decision must be made. Conflict – external/internal

A reference to a person, place, or thing in history, or to another book. Examples: She felt like Cinderella on her Prom night. Like David and Goliath, the small boy defeated the large bully. Allusion

The contrast between what the reader expects to happen and what actually does happen Situational Irony

The contrast between what you the reader knows and what characters in the story know (you know something the characters do not) Dramatic Irony

A comparison of unlike things using Like or As A comparison of unlike things using Like or As. Examples: He ran as fast as a cheetah. She laughed like a hyena. Simile

A direct comparison of two unlike things without the use of like or as A direct comparison of two unlike things without the use of like or as. Stating one thing is another. Examples: He is a snake. She has the voice of an angel. Metaphor

Something that represents something beyond itself Something that represents something beyond itself. Examples: A wedding ring represents eternity because a circle is unbroken. The Old English D represents the Detroit Tigers. Symbol

Dynamic –vs- Static Characters Characters experience varying amounts of change over the course of a story. Two types of characters are • Static characters that do not experience basic character changes during the course of the story. • Dynamic characters that experience changes throughout the plot of a story. Although the change may be sudden, it is expected based on the story’s events. A story’s characters fall within a range—from very static characters that experience no change to very dynamic characters that undergo one or more major changes. Dynamic –vs- Static Characters

The use of hints or clues about what will happen later in the story. Foreshadowing

When the writer presents events that happened before the time of the current events in the fiction, which can include memories, dreams, or stories of the past told by characters. Flashback

The character that is in opposition to the protagonist- most often a bad guy, but not always. Antagonist

The main character in the story- not necessarily the good guy Protagonist

A plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and abruptly resolved by some unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability or object. Depending on how it is done, it can be intended to move the story forward when the writer has "painted themself into a corner" and sees no other way out, to surprise the audience, to bring the tale to a happy ending, or as a comedic device. Deux ex machina

Idioms are phrases with meaning that do not exactly fit the definitions of the words in them. They are meant to be interpreted figuratively, not literally. Example:s It’s raining cats and dogs. He’s really getting under my skin. I’d love a cup of Joe. Idiom

Coming of Age Story (Bildungsroman) A type of novel where the protagonist grows into maturity through knowledge, experience, or both. Understanding comes after some loss of innocence. Coming of Age Story (Bildungsroman)

The main idea, lesson learned, or universal truth (cannot be one word) The main idea, lesson learned, or universal truth (cannot be one word). Examples: You can’t judge a book by its cover. Slow and steady wins the race. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Theme