1. Literary Terminology
English II
Outcome A

2. Setting The time and place a story takes place
Settings can include ideas, customs, values, and beliefs
What can we conclude about this setting?

3. Protagonist
The main character
Not “always” a good guy…

4. Antagonist The character in conflict with the main character
Not “always” a bad guy
Not all stories have antagonists

5. Point of View
The perspective from which an author lets the reader view the action of a story (who tells the story)
First person – I, me, my, our, us
Second person – you, your, you’re
Third person – he, she, they
Third person omniscient – the narrator describes the thoughts and feelings of all characters
Third person limited – the narrator describes the thoughts and feelings of only one character

6. Conflict The struggle between opposing forces. Internal struggle
Person vs. Self – a struggle within the mind of one character
External struggle
Person vs. Person – a struggle between two characters
Person vs. Nature– a struggle between a character and a force of nature (tornado / strong currents / etc.)
Person vs. Society– a struggle between an individual and group

7. Characterization Direct characterization
The author directly states a character’s traits
Example: “She was one of those pretty, charming young women” (“The Necklace,” Maupassant).
Indirect characterization
The author provides clues about a character based on what a character does and says. It is up to the reader to draw conclusions about the character.
Example: “Whenever he [Rainsford] looked up from his plate he found the general studying him, appraising him narrowly” (“The Most Dangerous Game,” Connell).

8. Plot Structure

9. Plot Chart
Exposition – the introduction of a story; introduces setting and main characters
Rising Action – events leading up to the turning point; intensifications of the conflict
Climax – the turning point of the story; emotional high point
Falling Action – the logical result of the climax
Resolution – presents the final outcome of the story

10. Theme The central idea or message of a story
Often a perception about life or human nature
Example: The theme in “Little Red Riding Hood” might be…
Be suspicious of situations (and people) that
do not appear the way they should.

11. Dialogue A conversation between characters in a narrative or drama
Moves the action along
Helps characterize the personality of the speakers
Provides the story with a more natural, conversational flow which makes it more enjoyable to read

12. Flashback
An interruption of the chronological sequence of a story to bring up an event of an earlier occurrence
Provides insight into a character’s motivation and/or background to a conflict

13. Symbol / Symbolism
A concrete object, scene, or action that has a deeper significance
Often connected to an important idea or theme in a work

14. Foreshadowing
When an author provides a hint or clue of what will happen later in the story
Used to avoid disappointment or to stir up readers

15. Irony
Generally speaking, irony is the opposite of what it seems (like sarcasm).

16. Dramatic Irony – when the reader knows something a character does not know
Ex: The girl goes upstairs, and we know there is a killer waiting there.
Verbal Irony – when a person says one thing but means another
Ex: “Cool shirt.” ::eye roll::  Sarcasm!
Situational Irony – When the outcome of an event or situation is the opposite of what is expected.
Ex: “A local man died when he was accidentally run over by an ambulance.”

17. Sensory Imagery Using the five senses to vividly describe a scene
Sight, Sound, Touch, Smell, Taste
Example: The young girl could almost taste the salt in the air as she walked through the soft sand and looked out towards the crystal blue water.

18. Simile Comparing two unlike objects using the words “like” or “as”
Example:

19. Metaphor
Comparing two unlike objects WITHOUT using the words “like” or “as”
Example: “A crook is a business man without an office.”

20. Author’s Purpose The author’s main reason for writing a piece
Reasons can include to entertain, to persuade or convince, to inform, to describe, etc.

21. Personification Giving humanlike traits to something that is NOT human
Example:

22. Denotation The literal definition of a word / phrase
Example: The denotation of house is “a building one lives in”

23. Connotation The figurative meaning of a word / phrase
Example: The connotation of house is “home, safe, family, etc.”

24. Tone (A preview…)
An author’s attitude or personal beliefs, demonstrated through his or her writing

25. Tone is shown through the incorporation of…
Diction – specific word choice
Imagery – descriptive writing
Details – details the author decided to include
Language – formal vs. informal “talk” or “writing”
Syntax – sentence structure (long, flowing sentences create a more calm tone, whereas short, choppy sentences create more of a hostile tone