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 Introduction *setting & characters 2. Main Conflict Man vs ___ ?____ External or Internal 6. Resolution *very end FINALE

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 ~ Man vs. Self External ~ Man vs. Man Man vs. Nature Man vs. Society Man vs. Unknown

THEME the main idea message about life or human nature Honesty is the best policy Don’t lie Size doesn’t matter Hard work always pays off

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 the growth or change of a character during the story STATIC CHARACTER little change if any DYNAMIC CHARACTER changes during the story

PROTAGONIST central character or hero of a literary work Edward & Bella Harry Potter Batman

ANTAGONIST a force working against the protagonist or main character Draco Malfoy James The Joker

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 THIRD PERSON -the narrator is OUTSIDE of the story

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!

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

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?

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.

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