1. Literature Terms
aka “Lit Terms”

2. 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…

3. 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
2. Main Conflict
Person vs ___ ?____
External or Internal
Introduction
*setting & characters
6. Resolution
*very end
FINALE

4. 1. Introduction Expect to meet the main character (protagonist)
Find out the setting
Find out what the character wants
WHO??? WANTS WHAT???
Buckner 86

5. 2. Main Conflict Every story has a problem.
Something gets in the way of what the protagonist wants—an antogonist (opposing force) usually is part of the problem
BUT????
Buckner 86

6. 3. Rising Action
Main things that happen in the story show the character struggling with the problem.
SO???
Buckner 86

7. 4. Climax Problems in stories will be solved.
Look for the event that is the key to solving the problem.
SO???
Buckner 86

8. 5. Falling Action After the climax, you know the problem is solved.
This part of the story is what happens because the problem is solved.
It leads to the ending.
THEN??? BUCKNER 86

9. 6. Resolution The ending wraps up the story for the reader.
It gives you a sense of completeness.
ALL DONE!!!
BUCKNER 86

10. in which a story takes place
SETTING
the TIME,
the PLACE,
the general ENVIRONMENT
in which a story takes place
1980’s

11. CONFLICT a problem or struggle between 2 opposing forces
Internal ~ Person vs. Self
External ~ Person vs. Person
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Society
Person vs. Unknown

12. THEME the main idea message about life or human nature
Theme cannot include characters, plot, or be only one word.
Theme must be general and be applicable to other stories
Be careful not to confuse theme with the topic of the story…topic is one or two words which sum up the story

13. Examples of Themes
Finding Nemo – topic/subject (one word) – friendship
Theme then is a statement about the topic/subject – “Friendship can lead to happiness or friendship can make a person happy.”
Lion King – topic/subject (one word) - responsibility
Theme could be: “People should live up to their responsibilities because they are needed by the people around them.”

14. MOOD the overall FEELING in a work of art or literature sad courageous
happy, excited

15. Angry Amused Objective
TONE
a writer’s attitude and feelings toward a subject (his or her bias)
Angry Amused Objective

16. CHARACTER
a person, animal, or imaginary creature in a literary work

17. 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

18. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
STATIC CHARACTER
little change if any
DYNAMIC CHARACTER
Changes during story

19. PROTAGONIST central character or hero of a literary work Tris & Four
Harry Potter
Batman

20. ANTAGONIST a force working against the protagonist or main character
Voldemort
Eric
The Joker

21. FOIL CHARACTER
a character providing striking contrast to the main character
Batman & Robin
Marlin & Dory
Edward & Jacob

22. SYMBOL
a concrete object that represents an idea

23. IMAGERY
concrete details appealing to the senses
Pictures for the mind 

24. 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

25. 5 Senses
Sight
Smell
Taste
Sound
Touch

26. IRONY the difference between what appears to be … and what actually is
3 Types:
Situational
Dramatic
Verbal

27. 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!

29. 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!

30. 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!

31. FORESHADOWING
an author’s use of hints or clues to suggest events that will occur LATER in the story.

32. 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!

33. INFERENCE
a reasonable conclusion drawn by the reader from author’s clues
educated guess or prediction

34. POINT OF VIEW the author’s choice of narrator FIRST PERSON
-the narrator is IN the story
I, me, we, us, our
THIRD PERSON
-the narrator is OUTSIDE of the story he, she, them, theirs

35. 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.’

36. SIMILE a comparison of 2 unlike things using LIKE or AS
Her eyes twinkle LIKE light bulbs.

37. METAPHOR a comparison of 2 un-related things. DO NOT USE like or as
The football player was a bulldozer!

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

39. 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?

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

41. 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.