1. Literary Terms Grade 8 Reading
Mrs. Bochicchio

2. Literary Terms 1. Plot- The action or series of events in a story
Parts of the Plot
A. Introduction- creates the mood, presents some of the characters, and supplies background information.
B. Rising Action- establishes and develops conflict
C. Climax- the turning point

3. Parts of the Plot
D. Falling Action- the reader learns what happens as a result of the climax
E. Conclusion- gives the final results (conclusion is also known as resolution)
E. Resolution- the final outcome for the plot; how the struggle is solved.
F. Denouement- any events that occur after the resolution in a story.

4. 2. Setting- the times and place in which a story occurs.
3. Narrator- the speaker or character that tells a story
4. Foreshadowing- provides clues or hints to future events and increases the reader’s feeling of suspense

5. 5. Flashback- interrupts the sequence of events to relate an event from an earlier time; past events that provide background information.
6. Fantasy- a type of writing that includes strange or impossible events.
7. Imagery- language that creates mental pictures to establish and describe events. Helps reader to understand a story’s meaning. Appeals to one of the five senses.

6. 9. Conflict- Struggle between two opposing forces.
8. Symbolism- the author uses symbols to convey (tell) the theme of the story.
9. Conflict- Struggle between two opposing forces.
A. External conflict- the character struggles against an outside force
B. Internal conflict- struggle takes place within character
Types of conflict
Man vs man Man vs nature Man vs self

7. 10. Protagonist- the main character who we sympathize with; the hero.
11. Antagonist- The person or force that opposes the protagonist; the enemy of the hero.
13. Theme-the underlying idea or message in the story. It may be directly or indirectly stated. Central message

8. 14. Character traits- qualities that make one character different from another. (Qualities include bravery, intelligence, stinginess)
15. Character- Person, animal, or creature in a literary work.
16. Mood- a feeling that a literary work conveys to a reader.
17. Word choice- language used by the author for specific effect.

9. The author can do this in one of two ways:
15. Characterization- the method a writer uses to reveal the personality of a character.
The author can do this in one of two ways:
A. Direct characterization- the author tells the reader directly about the character through statements or sentences in the story.
B. Indirect characterization- inferences (conclusions) based on the way the character acts or how others react towards that character. The author does not tell the reader directly, but allows the reader to make conclusion

10. 16. Point of view (POV)- the position from which the story is told
A. First person narrative- the character tells the story using “I”. This person may experience the events or just be a witness.
B. Third person narrative- telling events from the perspective of an onlooker. Uses “he”, “she,” “it”.

11. Types of Third Person Narrative
1. Limited- the story is told by one of its characters. The speaker is unable to know what is in any of the character’s minds. He only knows his own thoughts.
2. Omniscient- (all knowing)- the narrator can take the reader anywhere and into the mind of the characters

12. 17. Allusion- a reference to a well known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art.
18. Tone- the attitude a writer takes towards his or her subject, characters and/ or readers.
19. Dialect- a variety of language distinct from standard variety in pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary. (The way people talk…accent)

13. Keystone Literary Terms
1. Analysis- The process or result of identifying the parts of a whole and their relationships to one another. (The result)
2. Bias- The subtle presence of a positive or negative approach towards a topic. (How you feel about something- positive or negative)
3. Argument/ position- The claim the author establishes. Arguments supported by valid evidence. It is balanced by counter arguments or opposing view points.

14. Elements of Drama 1. Dialogue- conversation among characters
2. Stage directions- writer’s notes to actors, directors, and readers. They are usually printed in italics. They reveal information about sets, movements, and emotions.
3. Characterization for drama- writer’s technique of creating believable characters

15. 5. Script- combination of stage directions and dialogue

16. Structures of Drama
1. Comedy- refers to any play which features humor and light hearted events.
2. Tragedy- deals with humans as victims of destiny, character flaw, moral weakness, or social pressure.
3. Soliloquy- narrative spoken by a single character in which his thoughts are revealed to the audience. He is alone on the stage.

17. 4. Character foil- character whose traits are in direct contrast to the principal character.
5. Aside- refers to a speech or comment made by an actor directly to the audience. This comment is not heard or noticed by other actors on stage.
6. Irony- used to express the exact opposite of its literal meaning

18. Types of Irony
Situational- The outcome of a work of writing is different from what is expected.
Verbal Irony- a speaker or writer says one thing but means something entirely different.

19. Poetry Terms
1. Alliteration- repetition of the beginning (initial) consonant sound.
2. Metaphor- a comparison of 2 unlike things (Must be unlike and the comparison does not use the words like or as. Something is described as something else.
3. Simile- a comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as.

20. 4. Onomatopoeia- use of words that imitate sounds like buzz or click.
5. Personification- gives human traits to something nonhuman.
6. Figurative Language- writing or speech that is not meant to be taken literally. Some examples include simile, metaphor, and personification.

21. 7. Rhythm- a regular pattern of accented (stressed) and unaccented (unstressed) syllables.
8. Stanza- a group of lines united in a poem. (Like a paragraph in a story)
9. Verse- part of a poem such as a line or a stanza. (Like a sentence in a story)
10. Hyperbole- an exaggeration that is used to make a point

22. 11. Ballad- a songlike poem that tells a story that deals with adventure and romance. Ballads usually have:
4 to 6 line stanzas
Regular rhyme
Regular rhythm
Refrain- a regularly repeated line or stanza

23. 12. Free verse- poetry that does not follow a regular pattern of rhythm or line; has irregular rhyme, or none at all. Follows no rules.
13. Lyric poem- poem that expresses personal thoughts and feelings.
14. Narrative poetry- long poem that tells a story.
15. Concrete poem- poem that forms the shape of the subject or the poem.

24. 16. Haiku- lyric poem of three lines. Usually seventeen syllables
16. Haiku- lyric poem of three lines. Usually seventeen syllables. Japanese. Inspired by nature. Pattern is 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables
17. Meter- Rhythmical pattern determined by the number of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry.
18.Assonance- repetition of vowels without the repetition of consonents.