Novel Unit Notes

Foreshadowing A writer’s use of hint or clues to indicate events and situations that will occur later in a plot. The use of this technique creates suspense while at the same time prepares the reader for what is to come. A writer may use dialogue, events or actions, of the title to act as means of foreshadowing what will happen. Sometimes false clues, or “red herrings,” are used to distract readers.

Foreshadowing Example

Foreshadowing Example “NOW, my dears,” said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, “you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don’t go into Mr. McGregor’s garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor.” Beatrix Potter from The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Flashback An interruption in the narrative to show something that happened before in time. A character in the present may think back to a time in the past or may relate a past event to another character. Information in a flashback can help to explain actions or events in the present. OR… By using flashbacks, writers allow their readers to gain insight into a character’s motivation and provide a background to a current conflict.

Flashback Example The wolf went up to Little Red Riding Hood and told her that he knew a shortcut. Little Red Riding Hood thought back to what her mother told her, “Don’t talk to any strangers and watch out for the wolf in the woods!” It was too late, she had already listened to the wolf’s directions.

Flashback Example In the Book of Matthew, we see a flashback has been used when Joseph, governor of Egypt, sees his brothers after several years. Joseph “remembered his dreams” about his brothers and how they sold him into slavery in the past.

Symbolism When something stands for or represents itself and something else. Symbols are objects, ideas, or words with widely recognized associations Ex. A red rose or red color is a symbol for love and romance. Some symbols derive meaning only from the stories they are in. Symbols presented through metaphors, similes, and other literary devices

Figurative Language Language that communicates ideas beyond the ordinary, literal meanings of words. Special types of figurative language include simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole

Simile An indirect comparison, usually uses like or as. Example: She is as lovely as a rose.

Metaphor A direct comparison Example: She is a rose.

Extended Metaphor: A figure of speech that compares two things at some length and in several ways Example: Mtaphor: Juliet is a lovely flower. Extended Metaphor: Compares every aspect of Juliet to a flower: Her perfume… the flower’s fragrance. Her beauty…the flower’s beauty. Her soft skin…the flower’s petals.

Personification A figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to an object, animal, or idea. Example: The trees danced in the breeze.

Hyperbole A figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or for humorous effect. Example: My mom is gonna kill me!

Allusion In literature and language, an allusion is a reference made to another person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. Allusions allow writers to simplify complex ideas and emotions. Many works of literature use biblical allusions to appeal to the reader’s religious beliefs. Greek mythology gives a dreamlike or magical aspect to a story. Ex. In John Green’s The Fault In Our Stars, Green alludes to William Carlos Williams’ poem “The Red Wheelbarrow.”

Tone The author’s attitude, or feelings/emotions, towards the subject he or she is writing about Decides how the readers read the writing and how the reader should feel while reading it

Diction: Word Choice Connotation: Denotation: a word’s emotional associations Denotation: a word’s dictionary definition

Imagery: Consists of descriptive words and phrases that appeal to one or more of the five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch) to help the reader imagine exactly what is being described.

What is the tone? The sound of empty cotton sacks dragging over the floor and the murmurs of waking people were sliced by the cash register as we rang up the five-cent sales. If the morning sounds and smells were touched with the supernatural, the late afternoon had all the features of the normal Arkansas life. In the dying sunlight the people dragged, rather than their empty cotton sacks. (From I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings-Maya Angelou)

Voice The author’s words and the characteristic way that writer uses language to achieve certain effects. The writer’s use of language.

Style The means of creating a relationship or conveying an attitude or mood. Each writer has his or her own style that creates this.

Foil Character A character in a story that acts in a drastically different way than the main protagonist in order to show the strong differences between them.

Frame Story A story told within a frame or a story constituting a frame for another story or a series of other stories. A story within a story.

Mood In literature, a feeling, emotional state, or disposition of mind—especially the predominating atmosphere or tone of a literary work. The feeling the reader gets from reading the story.

Narrator The “voice” that speaks or tells a story. A.K.A-The person telling the story.

Protagonist The main character in a work, on whom the author focuses most of the narrative attention. Often times, the “good” character.

Antagonist Character against whom the protagonist struggles or contends. Often known as the “bad guy.”

Allegory A story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation. Dante Alleghiere’s The Divine Comedy