Literature Terms aka “Lit Terms”

There are SIX parts to the plot… a sequence of events to bring about the resolution of a CONFLICT There are SIX parts to the plot…

PLOT COASTER (DIAGRAM) 4. Climax *solves the MAIN conflict (almost to the end of story) *events leading up to the climax 3. Rising Action 5. Falling Action *start to wrap up 2. Main Conflict Person vs ___ ?____ External or Internal Introduction *setting & characters 6. Resolution *very end FINALE

1. Introduction Expect to meet the main character (protagonist) Find out the setting Find out what the character wants WHO??? WANTS WHAT??? Buckner 86

2. Main Conflict Every story has a problem. Something gets in the way of what the protagonist wants—an antogonist (opposing force) usually is part of the problem BUT???? Buckner 86

3. Rising Action Main things that happen in the story show the character struggling with the problem. SO??? Buckner 86

4. Climax Problems in stories will be solved. Look for the event that is the key to solving the problem. SO??? Buckner 86

5. Falling Action After the climax, you know the problem is solved. This part of the story is what happens because the problem is solved. It leads to the ending. THEN??? BUCKNER 86

6. Resolution The ending wraps up the story for the reader. It gives you a sense of completeness. ALL DONE!!! BUCKNER 86

in which a story takes place SETTING the TIME, the PLACE, the general ENVIRONMENT in which a story takes place 1980’s

CONFLICT a problem or struggle between 2 opposing forces Internal ~ Person vs. Self External ~ Person vs. Person Person vs. Nature Person vs. Society Person vs. Unknown

THEME the main idea message about life or human nature Theme cannot include characters, plot, or be only one word. Theme must be general and be applicable to other stories Be careful not to confuse theme with the topic of the story…topic is one or two words which sum up the story

Examples of Themes Finding Nemo – topic/subject (one word) – friendship Theme then is a statement about the topic/subject – “Friendship can lead to happiness or friendship can make a person happy.” Lion King – topic/subject (one word) - responsibility Theme could be: “People should live up to their responsibilities because they are needed by the people around them.”

MOOD the overall FEELING in a work of art or literature sad courageous happy, excited

Angry Amused Objective TONE a writer’s attitude and feelings toward a subject (his or her bias) Angry Amused Objective

CHARACTER a person, animal, or imaginary creature in a literary work

CHARACTERIZATION the methods used by an author to create characters Dude” Name *speech & action *appearance **Should always write at least 2 for each one *thoughts or feelings *other characters’ reactions to THIS character

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT STATIC CHARACTER little change if any DYNAMIC CHARACTER Changes during story

PROTAGONIST central character or hero of a literary work Tris & Four Harry Potter Batman

ANTAGONIST a force working against the protagonist or main character Voldemort Eric The Joker

FOIL CHARACTER a character providing striking contrast to the main character Batman & Robin Marlin & Dory Edward & Jacob

SYMBOL a concrete object that represents an idea

IMAGERY concrete details appealing to the senses Pictures for the mind 

Great rosebushes of red bloomed on Victor’s cheeks. P24 Examples from “Seventh Grade” Great rosebushes of red bloomed on Victor’s cheeks. P24 A river of nervous sweat ran down his palms. P25 The rosebushes of shame on his face became bouquets of love. P25

5 Senses Sight Smell Taste Sound Touch

IRONY the difference between what appears to be … and what actually is 3 Types: Situational Dramatic Verbal

SITUATIONAL IRONY an outcome which is the opposite of what was expected Every day occurrence or real life happening What do you mean we didn’t have to do it? It is already done!

DRAMATIC IRONY when a reader or viewer knows more about a situation than the characters involved. Books or movies Don’t go in there – the killer is in there!

I just love being smaller than my dog! VERBAL IRONY saying the OPPOSITE of what is meant for humorous or sarcastic effect I just love being smaller than my dog! Just call me Tiny!

FORESHADOWING an author’s use of hints or clues to suggest events that will occur LATER in the story.

I just love eating ice cream! … being a kid and sharing a cone! FLASHBACK an interruption to a story to present an earlier event I remember… flashback I just love eating ice cream! … being a kid and sharing a cone!

INFERENCE a reasonable conclusion drawn by the reader from author’s clues educated guess or prediction

POINT OF VIEW the author’s choice of narrator FIRST PERSON -the narrator is IN the story I, me, we, us, our THIRD PERSON -the narrator is OUTSIDE of the story he, she, them, theirs

OBJECTIVE POINT OF VIEW reports only speech & actions ‘He was always running around and yelling.’ OMNISCIENT POINT OF VIEW reports speech, actions, AND thoughts and feelings ‘She was feeling kind of down, because she had to stay since she thought everyone was mad at her.’

SIMILE a comparison of 2 unlike things using LIKE or AS Her eyes twinkle LIKE light bulbs.

METAPHOR a comparison of 2 un-related things. DO NOT USE like or as The football player was a bulldozer!

GENRE type or category of literature nonfiction fiction Science plays / drama poetry

Just because one grape is sour, doesn’t mean all the grapes are bad! STEREOTYPE a broad generalization about something or someone that leaves no room for individual differences Always Negative!!! Just because one grape is sour, doesn’t mean all the grapes are bad! If one apple is rotten, are all the apples rotten?

ALLITERATION repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words Smiling Sarah Swims while Singing! Alliteration story example

The flowers danced in the wind. PERSONIFICATION when a writer gives human qualities to an animal, object, or idea The flowers danced in the wind.