1. Literary Terms English I Honors

2. Characters: People, animals that take part in story
ANTAGONIST- character working against the main character; usually evil, can be force of nature
PROTAGONIST- main character of story, hero
DYNAMIC- character who changes throughout story
STATIC - character who does NOT change throughout story
ROUND- character who has many traits; we get to know this character in-depth
FLAT- character who is described more simply; one-sided

3. Characterization
There are four ways that an author develops characters:
Through their actions
Through their speech
Through their thoughts
Through what others say about them

4. Conflict Struggle between two opposing forces 6 main types of conflict
man vs. man -man vs. nature
man vs. self -man vs. society
man vs. technology man vs. supernatural
Each type falls into one of two categories:
External: conflict between an outside force and the main character
Internal: occurs within a character

5. Theme Main ideas in a work of literature
Usually about life or human nature
A message, meaning, or moral the author wants you to learn
Examples: Loyalty, friendship, overcoming obstacles

6. Point of View First Person 3rd Person
character in story is telling the story
I, me, my
Reader only knows what the narrator is thinking.
3rd Person
Storyteller is NOT one of the characters
He, she, they
Reader gets to know the thoughts of many characters.

7. FLASHBACK FORESHADOWING
Something that happened before the beginning of a story
FORESHADOWING
use of clues to hint at events that will occur later in the plot

8. Irony
Situational Irony: A contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually does.
Verbal Irony: A contrast between what is said and what is meant.
Dramatic Irony: When the reader knows something that other characters do not.

9. Imagery Imagery: The use of detailed descriptions to paint a picture.
Imagery appeals to the five senses.
Authors usually use sight imagery, but can be sound, taste, touch, or smell imagery.

10. Setting Time and Place of the action of the story
It is important to the events and outcomes of the story.
The setting ranges from large to small. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, for example…
Large picture = America, mid-size city in the 1950’s
Small picture = Charlie’s home and the factory, one week in his life

11. Tone Attitude a writer takes towards a subject
Reflects the feelings of a writer
Can be sarcastic, humorous, serious, etc.

12. Mood The feeling or atmosphere that the author creates for the reader.
Do not confuse Mood with Tone.
The mood is the feeling you are supposed to get when reading the story.

13. Simile
A comparison of two different things or ideas through the use of the words “like” or “as.”
e.g., The warrior fought like a lion.

14. Metaphor A comparison without the use of like or as.
e.g., Life is a box of chocolates.

15. Personification
When an author gives human qualities to nonhuman things.
e.g., The wind cried in the dark.

16. Allusion
When an author refers to characters or events from history or other pieces of literature
e.g., She was beautiful like Venus, the Goddess of love.

17. Symbol Person Place Event or
Object that stands for something beyond itself
E.g., A bird in a cage would symbolize lost freedom.

18. Allegory
When the events, characters, and setting of a story are all symbolic of life.