Literary Terms English II

Characterization The process in which the author reveals the personality of a character through specific details in the text.

Static vs. Dynamic Character Dynamic – character undergoes change throughout the story Static – character experiences relatively no change

Direct vs. indirect characterization Direct Characterization: method in which a writer tells us exactly what the character is like Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.” Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.”

Indirect Characterization Indirect Characterization: method in which a writer gives us clues about a character but we have to decide for ourselves exactly what kind of person that character is Use the STEAL method

STEAL Speech Actions Looks What does the character say? How does the character speak?   Thoughts What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? Effects on others What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? Actions What does the character do? How does the character behave? Looks What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

Theme A central idea or statement that unifies and controls an entire literary work. The theme can take the form of a brief and meaningful insight or a comprehensive vision of life. Theme is the author's way of communicating and sharing ideas, perceptions, and feelings with readers. Do not confuse with the “moral” of a story. Can be directly stated or implied.

Diction The choice of a particular word as opposed to others. Consider: Why that particular choice of words? What is the effect of that diction? High/formal vs. low/informal

Symbolism A person, place, or object that represents a larger idea.

Point of View

Point of View (cont’d) First Person (narrator participates in the action of the story) Second Person (the narrator tells the story to another character using "you“) Third Person (does not participate in the action of the story-outside voice) Limited (knowledge is limited to one character(s) Omniscient (all knowing)

Protagonist/Antagonist

Irony: Contrast between expectation and reality.

Tone The means of creating a relationship or conveying an attitude or mood. Reader can infer the underlying attitude(s) that control and color a text as a whole. The tone might be formal or informal, playful, ironic, optimistic, pessimistic.

Mood The feeling the audience experiences while reading/viewing a passage