MP1 Literary Terms

1)Characterization– the way an author reveals a character 1)Characterization– the way an author reveals a character. Direct characterization: the author tells the audience the personality characteristics of the character. Indirect characterization: the author reveals character through a description of his/her actions, thoughts, beliefs, looks and other’s opinions. 2)Static Characters– a character that does not change over the course of the story. 3)Dynamic Characters– a character that changes over the course of the story. 4) Setting: the time AND place of a work. 5) Conflict- a problem a character encounters. Five external conflict types: Person vs. Person, Person vs. Supernatural, Person vs. Nature, Person vs. Technology, Person vs. Society. Also, internal conflicts (like struggling with depression or body image)

6)Diction/word choice-the author’s choice of words, which has an impact on the way the words are received by the audience. Think of using “girl”, “woman”, “ma’am”, “lady”, “chick” or “sweetheart” to refer to various females in your lives. 7) Symbolism—something, often an object, used to represent something else. Ex/ The giant “A” Hester is forced to wear in The Scarlet Letter represents the shameful act of adultery she committed. The fact that she carefully embroiders it in large, beautiful font on her dress represents how little shame she really feels in the act and reveals her deep feelings for the man she’d secretly loved. 8)First Person Point of View– the narrator is referring to him or herself. You will see 'I,' 'me,' 'my,' 'mine,' 'we,' 'us' and 'our.' Great for autobiographies and fiction. Not for use in essays and scholarly works. 9)Second Person Point of View-- this is when the reader is directly addressed with 'you,' 'your' and 'yours.' Great for self-help books and letters of advice. Not for use in essays and scholarly works.

10-11) Third Person Point of View: An outside narrator tells the story 10-11) Third Person Point of View: An outside narrator tells the story. Great for fiction and scholarly works. A. Third Person Point of View (LIMITED)-- the narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character. All characters are described using pronouns such as 'they', 'he', and 'she.' But, one character is closely followed throughout the story. B. Third Person Point of View (OMNISCIENT)-- the narrator knows all the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in the story. The audience is able to know and see everything about each character. 12) Simile-a comparison of two dissimilar entities using “like” or “as.” Ex/ Her brain is like a sponge, soaking up information. 13) Metaphor- a direct comparison. Ex/Her brain is a sponge. 14)Author’s purpose—the reason why an author writes: to inform, to persuade, to entertain, to express. 15)Anecdote—a personal story.

16) Theme-the lesson, author’s message. Ex/ One theme of Speak is that the pain of personal trauma cannot be hidden or denied. The victim must find ways to express and deal with it, or the pain will manifest in unhealthy ways. 17) Imagery-using appeals to the five senses to vividly describe something. 18) Mood—the feeling or atmosphere of a work. Ex/While Sheldon’s tone is usually condescending, the mood of his scenes in The Big Bang Theory are generally humorous. 19) Tone-the attitude of the speaker or writer towards the subject of the writing. For example: My mother told me to go to my room. Her tone was certainly one of warning so I knew I’d better listen this time. Some TONE words: sarcastic, apathetic, dreamy, loving, confused, serious…

20) Situational Irony-when the outcome is the opposite of what should be expected to occur. Ex/ The English teacher’s lesson on the importance of spell checking was riddled with spelling errors. Verbal Irony—when the stated meaning is the opposite of the intended meaning. Ex/ Telling the teacher, “Homework is my favorite!” Dramatic Irony—when the audience or reader knows something that the characters do not. Ex/ The audience is shown Juliet taking the sleep potion so we know, unlike Romeo, that she’s not really dead.