1. LITERARY TERMS

2. PLOT Exposition – the beginning of the story where the characters and setting are introduced Rising Action – the bulk of the story (where most events take place) events leading up to the climax Climax – The turning point of the story. If this event did NOT happen, we would NOT have an interesting story.

3. PLOT Continued Falling Action – the events that come directly after the climax Denouement/Resolution – the last part of a story; this is where all conflict is resolved. It is usually only the last or last TWO events in a story.

4. THEME A truth about life or people that we discover as we share the characters’ experiences EX – don’t judge a book by its cover, power of words, quest for power, etc

5. Symbol Persons, places, or things that function as themselves but also stand for larger ideas. EX – Harry Potter: phoenix; The Hunger Games: mockingjay

6. Motif Common features in a piece of literature EX – The Hunger Games: fire; Harry Potter: darkness

7. point of view – who’s telling the story 1 st person – someone in the story is telling the story (uses I/me/we/us) 3 rd person – someone who is NOT in the story is telling the story (uses he/she/them)

8. Main Idea Most important information showing the overall understanding

9. Motivation of character “Why does the character do _______?” EX – why does Katniss volunteer for the hunger games?

10. Summarize Telling the most important information in a text or piece of literature EX – summarize Frozen

11. Foreshadowing Clues hinting at what will happen next Can you think of your own example?

12. Irony Convey (or show) a meaning that is opposite of the literal meaning.

13. Tone The feeling the AUTHOR presents with his/her words EX – solemn, sad, enthusiastic, sarcasm

14. Mood The feeling that YOU, THE READER, gets after reading EX – Are you happy? Anxious? CONFUSED IS NOT A MOOD

15. Simile Comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as’ EX - You are as beautiful as a sunset.

16. Metaphor Comparison not using ‘like’ or ‘as’ EX – Your eyes are the ocean.

17. Suspense Makes listeners wonder what will happen next (Anxious, curious, scared) Suspense can occur in stories that are not scary.

18. Anachronism When a person, thing, or idea from a different historical period is used in a story Can you think of any on your own?

19. Allusion Making a reference to another person, place, event or literary work.

20. Inference Educated guessed based on information you already have. EX - If someone has a Lamborghini or a Porsche, you might make an inference that they have a lot of money.

21. Flashback When the narrator goes back to an earlier time to tell a story that relates to the main story.