1. “The Most Dangerous Game” Literary Terms

2. mood
the feeling or atmosphere that an author creates in a literary work
can suggest a specific emotion (excited, fearful)
can suggest the quality of a setting (somber, calm)

3. imagery
the “word pictures” that writers use to help evoke an emotional response in readers
typically displayed through the use of sensory details or descriptions that appeal to one of the five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell

4. simile
a comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as”

5. foreshadowing
an author’s use of clues that hint at events that will occur later in the plot
often helps to build suspense as well as to prepare readers for what is to come

6. suspense
the growing interest and excitement readers experience while awaiting a climax or resolution in a work of literature

7. hyperbole
a figure of speech in which great exaggeration is used for emphasis or humorous effect

8. metaphor
a comparison of two unlike things by saying one thing is another (without using “like” or “as”)

9. irony a contrast between appearance and reality
situational irony: when the outcome of a situation is the opposite of what is expected
verbal irony: when a person says one thing but means another

10. direct characterization
the direct statements the author or narrator makes about a character’s traits

11. indirect characterization
the revealing of a character’s personality through the character’s own words, thoughts, and actions and through the words, thoughts, and actions of other characters

12. infer
to conclude by reasoning, to guess based on clues given

13. Plot the literary element that describes the structure of a story
shows the arrangement of events and actions within a story

14. Common Plot Structures
Chronological
Flashback
In Medias Res (in the middle of things)

15. Plot Components
Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action
Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax
Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax
Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts
Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

16. Conflict
the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story (Without conflict, there is no plot.)

17. Simile
A comparison between two unlike things using like or as

18. Metaphor
A comparison between two unlike things by saying one thing is another

19. Examples Simile Metaphor
Love is like Shakespeare; it goes on forever and doesn’t make any sense.
Love is Shakespeare; it goes on forever and doesn’t make any sense.

20. The methods an author uses to reveal a character’s personality
Characterization
The methods an author uses to reveal a character’s personality
Direct Characterization – author directly states the character’s traits
Indirect Characterization – author implies traits through the character’s thoughts, actions, and words and through the thoughts, actions, and words of other characters

21. Characterization
Static characters – remain the same throughout the story
Dynamic characters – change as a result of the action in the story

22. Symbol
an object, a person, a place, or an experience that represents something else, usually something abstract
Ex: a fancy evening dress may be a symbol of class and distinction

23. Theme
Turn the theme for “Meadow Mouse” into me before the end of the period.
ASSIGNMENT: Write a 5-8 sentence summary of “The Necklace” for homework – due tomorrow at start of class.

24. Situational Irony
When the actual outcome of a situation is the opposite of what is expected

25. CTC Assignment
Write a CTC paragraph telling what destiny the princess chose for the young man. Did she send him to the door of the lady or that of the tiger?
Consider the personality traits of the princess and the evidence provided throughout the text.
Follow the same format as you used for the MDG CTC.
Claim (topic sentence)
Textual evidence
Commentary
Concluding Statement

26. Italics vs. Quotation Marks
Books and movies are italicized.
Short stories, poems, and songs are placed in quotes.