Literary Terms

Conflict Conflict: is the struggle between two opposing forces. Types: Internal conflict: character-against-self, the protagonist (main character) is pulled by two courses of action or by differing emotions. Interpersonal conflict: character-against-character, the protagonist against someone else. External Conflict : Conflict of character-against-society happens when the protagonist is in conflict with society. Ex: war or poverty Conflict of person-against-nature takes place when the protagonist is threatened by an element of nature. Ex. Hurricane or Flood

Character Narrator: the storyteller in narrative writing Protagonist: the narrative’s main character Antagonist: the character who struggles or fights against the protagonist (main character) Characterization: Character or personality is revealed by: what a person does, says and what others say about them.

Theme Theme: is the main idea or message in a text. Types of themes: An explicit theme is one that is stated openly in the story. An implicit theme is one which is not directly stated. Many times, readers will not notice that an explicit theme is directly stated, but they can often infer the theme anyway.

Imagery Imagery appeals to any of the senses -taste, touch, sight, sound, and smell.

Plot Plot: is the sequence of events which involves the characters in the story. Chronological order: In this case, the events are told in the order they happen. Exposition: Beginning!! an explanation of the situation and the condition of the characters. A plot usually begins with a problem which the protagonist must meet or solve. During the story, tension is built through a series of complications, incidents which either help or hinder the protagonist in finding a solution. This is the rising action. The climax is the peak or turning point of the action; at this point we know the outcome. The resolution is the part after the climax. It gives any necessary explanation and ends with resolution, the sense of at the end of the story that it is complete.

Plot Diagram

Suspense Increasing tension in a narrative that causes uncertainty and excitement. Created mainly by conflict Creates interest in a story that leads to the Climax. It is also called RISING ACTION

Setting The TIME, PLACE, and CIRCUMSTANCES in which the story takes place.

Atmosphere the overall feeling that surrounds a piece of writing.

Mood The feelings created in the reader by the writer.

Tone The writer’s attitude toward their subject.

Point of View Point of view: the viewpoint from which the story is told. First-person: the story is told by the main character . Uses "I”. Second-person: The writer speaks directly to the audience. Uses “you”. Third-person: told by a narrator who is not involved in the action of the story and addresses the characters as “he”, “she”, “they”. Omniscient: the reader knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters Limited omniscient: allows the author to tell the story from the point of view of one character but without the use of “I”

Foreshadowing a device that hints at the future or events occurring later in the story.

Figurative language: language that uses figures of speech such as simile, metaphor, personification used to create imagery

Simile A comparison between two unlike things using the word “like” or “as”

Metaphor A comparison between two unlike things. DOES NOT use the word “like” or “as” Note: Metaphor is stronger than a simile but harder to use well Example: Life is a rollercoaster

Personification: giving human traits (qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics) to non-living objects (things, colors, qualities, or ideas). For example: The window winked at me. The verb, wink, is a human action. A window is a non-living object.

Humour Pun: a play on words using a word with two meanings, two words of similar meanings, or words that are similarly spelled or pronounced. Sarcasm: a cutting, often ironic remark intended to wound Satire: a form that uses irony, ridicule, or sarcasm to expose human flaws

Symbolism something that stands for or represents something else

Voice: the personality of the speaker or the author coming through in a work created through the combination of diction, point of view and tone.

Rhetorical question: a question asked for effect and to promote thought and reflection, not to elicit an answer.

Alliteration: repetition of initial consonant sound in a series of words; adds rhythm or emphasizes emotion ( The menacing moonlight created mystery).

Allusion: reference to events or characters from history, myth, religion, literature, pop culture, etc.

Onomatopoeia: a device in which a word imitates the sound it represents ( buzz, swish, whack )

Diction: word choice ( slang, colloquial, formal )

Flashback: a device used to depict events of the past

Hyperbole: intended exaggeration to create irony, humour or dramatic effect.

Irony: Irony: when the unexpected occurs or the opposite of what is expected does. Dramatic irony: when the audience knows more than a character on stage Situational irony: contrasts what actually happens with what was expected to happen Verbal irony: contrasts what is said and what is meant