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

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

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

6. THEME the main idea message about life or human nature
Honesty is the best policy
Don’t lie
Size doesn’t matter
Hard work always pays off

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

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

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

10. 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

11. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
the growth or change of a character during the story
STATIC CHARACTER
little change if any
DYNAMIC CHARACTER
changes during the story

12. PROTAGONIST central character or hero of a literary work
Edward & Bella
Harry Potter
Batman

13. ANTAGONIST a force working against the protagonist or main character
Draco Malfoy
James
The Joker

14. SYMBOL
a concrete object that represents an idea

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

16. 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

17. 5 Senses
Sight
Smell
Taste
Sound
Touch

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

19. 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!

20. 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!

21. 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!

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

23. 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!

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

25. POINT OF VIEW the author’s choice of narrator FIRST PERSON
-the narrator is IN the story
THIRD PERSON
-the narrator is OUTSIDE of the story

26. 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.’

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

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

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

30. 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?

31. 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.

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