Literary Terms AND DEFINITIONS

Short Story and novel  A short story is a piece of fiction 15,000 words or less  A novel is a piece of fiction 50,000 words or more.  Fiction is literature that is made up  A genre is a type of literature like horror or drama

Terms Motif: words, actions, and/or symbols repeated several times in a work that tend to unify the work Motif: words, actions, and/or symbols repeated several times in a work that tend to unify the work Style: The manner in which a writer uses words and sentences to fit his ideas. Style: The manner in which a writer uses words and sentences to fit his ideas.

Style Choices by the Writer Types of words Types of words Types of sentences Types of sentences Tone: the attitude of the writer toward his subject Tone: the attitude of the writer toward his subject Mood: atmosphere the writer creates Mood: atmosphere the writer creates Imagery: details that pertain to the five senses Imagery: details that pertain to the five senses

Plot—The events of a story The Plot Diagram The Plot Diagram

Plot Diagram A. Exposition: Background information that introduces the characters, setting, and the basic situation A. Exposition: Background information that introduces the characters, setting, and the basic situation B. Rising Action: Where the suspense is built up and it makes the reader want to continue reading. B. Rising Action: Where the suspense is built up and it makes the reader want to continue reading. C. Climax: The high point of the action— where the conflict reaches a turning point C. Climax: The high point of the action— where the conflict reaches a turning point

Plot Diagram continued D. Falling Action: Where we start to relax as a reader. D. Falling Action: Where we start to relax as a reader. E. Resolution: The outcome of the conflict E. Resolution: The outcome of the conflict F. Conflict: A struggle between opposing forces F. Conflict: A struggle between opposing forces

Types of Conflict External (outside) External (outside) Man vs. man Man vs. man Man vs. nature. Man vs. nature. Man vs. society Man vs. society Internal(inside) Internal(inside) Man vs. self Man vs. self

Point of View First person: The narrator is a major or minor character in the story. The story uses “I” or “we”. Third person limited: The narrator is not a character in the story. He reports the action of others, but he does know what certain characters are thinking or feeling.

POV Continued… Third person omniscient: The narrator can relate what all characters think.

Characterization The reader finds out about a character in the story in different ways: The reader finds out about a character in the story in different ways: Direct description Direct description What the character says What the character says What the character does What the character does What the character thinks What the character thinks What other characters say/think about him What other characters say/think about him

Characterization Continued… Protagonist: The main character who faces the conflict Protagonist: The main character who faces the conflict Antagonist: The opponent of the protagonist Antagonist: The opponent of the protagonist

Other Literary Techniques Suspense: The force that makes the reader want to continue reading to see what happens next or how the story will end.Suspense: The force that makes the reader want to continue reading to see what happens next or how the story will end. Foreshadowing: The use of clues or hints to suggest events that have yet to occurForeshadowing: The use of clues or hints to suggest events that have yet to occur Theme: The meaning/purpose/point the author is trying to make about life.Theme: The meaning/purpose/point the author is trying to make about life.

Symbol Something concrete, such as an object, person, place, or event that stands for or represents something abstract, such as an idea, a quality, a concept, or a condition. Something concrete, such as an object, person, place, or event that stands for or represents something abstract, such as an idea, a quality, a concept, or a condition. Archetypes—symbols that constantly reappear in literature with similar meanings Archetypes—symbols that constantly reappear in literature with similar meanings

Irony—actions or comments that are a contrast to what is expected  Verbal Irony—what is said is actually the opposite of what is meant.  Irony of situation—events turn out contrary to what is expected or what seems appropriate  Dramatic irony—occurs when the reader or viewer knows more about a situation that the characters do.

Narrative Order The sequence of events Chronological Flashback Time lapse Flash forward