1. Foundational Literary Analysis Terms

2. LITERARY ANALYSIS TERMS
Plot – sequence of events in a story
Exposition – the beginning of a story that introduces the characters, setting and basic situation
Setting - the time and place of the action of a story
Flat character – character with little or no depth and few known character traits
Round character – character that is like a real person with many character traits; has many known faults and virtues
Static character – character does not change much in the course of the story
Dynamic character – character who changes as a result of the story’s events
Indirect characterization – author reveals the character by SHOWING the audience his/her actions, thoughts and/or words
Direct characterization – author DIRECTLY tells reader about the character
Protagonist – main character in the story; often (but not always) the “hero”
Antagonist – major character or force who opposes or is in conflict with the main character
Internal Conflict – human vs. self; protagonist faces difficult decision or dilemma
External Conflict – human vs. __; protagonist faces opposition from outside sources
Rising action – all events after exposition and leading to climax of story
Climax / turning point -
Falling action – decrease of tension or action of conflict; events after climax leading to resolution
Resolution - the moment at which all problems or conflicts are resolved; the close of the story
Theme – statement (sentence) of a central idea, message, or insight into life revealed through the story
Suspense – a feeling of uncertainty, anxiety, or curiosity about what is going to happen next or about the outcome of events
Verbal irony – words to suggest the opposite of what is meant
Dramatic irony – when the audience or reader knows something important that the main character in the story does not know
Situational irony – an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader and/or the audience
Flashback – section of literary work that interrupts the sequence of events to relate an event from an earlier time
Foreshadowing – use of clues to hint at events that will occur later in the plot
Mood – the atmosphere or the feeling created by the writer in the story (author designs / reader experiences)
Tone – choice of words by the author that reveals his/her attitude toward the subject (reader infers)
Imagery – descriptive language that appeals to any of the 5 senses
Simile – a comparison of two things to add meaning using connective words (“like” / “as”)
Metaphor – a comparison of two things to add meaning NOT using connective words
Personification - when an animal, object or force is given human personality traits or abilities
Symbolism – a person, place or thing that stands for itself and for something beyond itself, usually an idea or abstract noun

3. sequence of events in a story
PLOT
sequence of events in a story

4. Exposition
the beginning of a story that introduces the characters, setting and basic situation

5. the time and place of the action of a story
Setting
the time and place of the action of a story

6. Flat vs. Round character
FLAT: character with little or no depth and few known traits
ROUND: Character that is like a real person with many traits; has many known faults and virtues

7. Static vs. Dynamic Character
STATIC: character who does not change much in the course of the story
DYNAMIC: character who changes as a result of the story’s events

8. Direct vs. Indirect Characterization
DIRECT: author directly TELLS the reader about the character
INDIRECT: author reveals the character by SHOWING the audience his/her actions, thoughts and/or words, and audience makes own conclusion

9. Protagonist Vs. Antagonist
PROTAGONIST: main character in the story; often (but not always) the “hero/heroine”
ANTAGONIST: major character or force who opposes or is in conflict with the main character (protagonist)

10. Internal vs. External Conflict
INTERNAL: human vs. self; protagonist faces a difficult decision or dilemma
EXTERNAL: human vs. ___ (human, nature, society, technology, etc.); protagonist faces opposition from outside sources

11. Rising action
increase in tension; all events after the exposition and leading to the climax of a story

12. Climax / Turning Point
the highest point of tension, suspense or interest in a story; point at which the conflict/problem turns toward its resolution

13. Falling Action
a decrease of tension or action of conflict; events after climax leading to resolution

14. Resolution / Denouement
the moment at which all problems or conflicts are resolved; the close of the story; the close of the story, including the demonstration of how the protagonist has changed as a result of the story’s events

15. Theme
a statement (sentence) of a central idea, message, or insight into life revealed through the story

16. suspense
a feeling of uncertainty, anxiety or curiosity about what is going to happen next or about the outcome of events

17. irony
an event or occurrence that highlights or signals the difference between appearance and reality; when the opposite of what is expected actually happens

18. words to suggest the opposite of what is meant
Verbal irony
words to suggest the opposite of what is meant

19. Dramatic irony
when the audience or reader knows something important that the main character in the story does not know

20. Situational irony
an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader and/or the audience

21. flashback
section of a literary work that interrupts the sequence of events to relate an event from an earlier time

22. use of clues to hint at events that will occur later in the plot
foreshadowing
use of clues to hint at events that will occur later in the plot

23. Mood vs. tone
MOOD: the atmosphere or the feeling created by the writer in the story (author designs / reader experiences)
TONE: author’s choice of words that reveals his/her attitude toward the subject (reader infers)

24. Point of view
the way an author allows the reader to experience the story
Omniscient – all-knowing/all-seeing; can read thoughts and emotions
Limited – can only experience one character’s thoughts/emotions; narrates action
1st person – story is told by a character within it
2nd person – author uses “you” and “your” (rare)
3rd person – story is told by a character outside the action

25. descriptive language that appeals to any of the 5 senses
imagery
descriptive language that appeals to any of the 5 senses

26. simile vs. metaphor
SIMILE: a comparison of two things to add meaning using connective words (“like” or “as”)
METAPHOR: a comparison of two things to add meaning NOT using connective words, as if one was equal to the other

27. personification
when an animal, object or force is given human personality traits or abilities

28. symbolism
an author’s portrayal of a person, place, or thing that stands for itself and for something beyond itself, usually an idea or abstract noun

29. NOTE
This is the first in a series of lists of Literary Analysis Terms. You will be adding to this list in many ways as you continue your thinking journey!