Literary Terms ENGLISH I

Plot A series of related events that take the reader from a problem to a solution. It includes exposition, narrative hooks, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Exposition Present characters, situation, and conflict. Gives important information, such as events or details that happened before the story.

Narrative Hook The part of the story that draws on our interest and makes us want to read more.

Includes all of the events leading up to the climax. Rising Action Includes all of the events leading up to the climax.

Climax The high point of interest in the story. It may be the most exciting moment, the moment with the most suspense, or the most thought-provoking moment. Signifies a change of action in the course of the story. The point in the story in which the reader knows what happens to the characters.

Falling Action Includes all of the actions or events that are a direct result of the climax.

Denoument/Resolution Contains events that show that the conflict has been resolved, problems worked out, and questions answered.

The time and place of a story. Setting The time and place of a story. It can reveal character background as well.

The atmosphere or feeling of a work. Mood The atmosphere or feeling of a work. It is the feeling that is passed from the story to the reader.

A person, animal, or some other entity in a story. Character A person, animal, or some other entity in a story.

The main character facing or battling a conflict. Protagonist The main character facing or battling a conflict. The protagonist is also known as “the good guy.”

The antagonist may not always be human. The source of conflict. The antagonist may not always be human. The antagonist can be remembered as “the bad guy.”

Has only one or two personality traits. Flat Character Has only one or two personality traits. This character may be a stereotype, such as a “dumb blonde” or “evil stepmother.”

A more developed character. Round Character A more developed character. This character is complicated with life- like personality traits.

Dynamic Character Grows and changes thoughts, beliefs, or actions based on what happens in the story.

Goes through no significant changes. Static Character Goes through no significant changes. This character does not grow or change his ways of thinking.

Foil A character in a work whose behavior and values contrast with the behavior and values of another character. This is done in order to show how different the characters are—or how admirable one is over the other.

The way an author brings a character to life. Characterization The way an author brings a character to life.

Direct Characterization When the author tells the reader exactly what the character is like.

Indirect Characterization When the author wants the reader to figure out the character. The author will tell the reader about the character through giving a physical description of the character, descriptions of the character’s thoughts and feelings, and giving descriptions of the character’s actions and words.

The main source of tension in the story. Conflict The main source of tension in the story.

External Conflict When the conflict is with someone or something else outside of the character. Example: Someone steals an old lady’s purse. The thief present external conflict.

When the protagonist (main character) is fighting against himself. Internal Conflict When the protagonist (main character) is fighting against himself. Example: John is ashamed that he stole the old lady’s purse. The internal conflict is shame.

Conversation between characters or within a character’s head. Dialogue Conversation between characters or within a character’s head. For example, J.D. from Scrubs has conversations with himself.

Foreshadowing/Prediction The use of clues to hint at events that will happen later in the plot. Arouses interest and creates suspense.

Irony Term used to describe situations that have surprising, interesting, or amusing contradictions.

When someone says one thing, but means another. Verbal Irony When someone says one thing, but means another. Sometimes sarcasm is ironic.

Situational Irony Refers to a surprising or shocking situation that neither the readers or the characters suspect.

When the reader knows more than the character(s) does. Dramatic Irony When the reader knows more than the character(s) does.

Cosmic Irony When god, destiny, or fate is used to dash the hopes or expectations of characters. There is tension between what the character needs and what the universe provides. Example: Odysseus just wants to get home to Ithaca, but the gods have other plans.

Theme The central lesson, message, or moral that the author tries to make in the story. Example: “The Scarlet Ibis” discusses the thought that people should not be pushed beyond their limits. Example: If a possible subject is money, then a possible theme is that money does not buy happiness.

Symbol People, places, or things that stand for both themselves and something else. <3 means love. Means happy

The perspective from which the author tells the story. Point of View The perspective from which the author tells the story.

Narrated by a character in the story. First Person Narrated by a character in the story. This narrator uses first-person pronouns such as “I”, “me”, “my”, “we”, “us”, “our”

Third Person Narrated by someone who is not a character, but rather a silent observer who is involved in the actions of a story. Uses third-person pronouns, such as “he”, “she”, “his”, “her”, “they”, “them”, “it”

Third Person Omniscient Can get into the minds of all the characters and tell the readers their true thoughts and feelings.

Third Person Limited Can only get inside the mind of one character so that the reader only knows the thoughts and feelings of that one character.

Imagery Words, images, or phrases that address the senses and suggest sounds, sights, touches, tastes, and smells.

A comparison that does not use the words “like” or “as”. Metaphor A comparison that does not use the words “like” or “as”. Example: Her eyes are stars in the midnight sky.

A comparison that uses the words “like” or “as”. Simile A comparison that uses the words “like” or “as”. Example: She was as hungry as a bear. Example: She swam through the water like a shark.

The giving of human qualities to non-human entities. Personification The giving of human qualities to non-human entities. Example: The tree danced in the wind. Example: The wind sang a lovely song as it blew through the lonely cave.

The choice of words and details conveys the tone. The attitude the author takes toward the reader, subject, or character. The choice of words and details conveys the tone.