elements of fiction ~ literary terms literary terms & devices

Elements of FictionElements of Fiction~~

Literary Terms Literary Terms & Devices& Devices

SettingSetting

The where and when The where and when of a narrativeof a narrative

physical

psychological

Point of View (PoV)Point of View (PoV)

2nd Person 3rd Person1st Person

Objective (Camera View)

Omniscient

Limited Omniscient

He, She, ityou

ProtagonistProtagonist

AntagonistAntagonist

StereotypeStereotype

FoilFoil

PlotPlot The plan or storyline of a narrative (play, novel, The plan or storyline of a narrative (play, novel,

short story, film, etc.)short story, film, etc.)

SubplotSubplot

The minor or The minor or secondary plot of a secondary plot of a narrative. It often runs narrative. It often runs parallel to the parallel to the development of the development of the main plot and often main plot and often mirrors the main plot.mirrors the main plot.

ExpositionExposition

Rising actionRising action

Suspense

ClimaxClimax

The turning point in a The turning point in a narrative. Point of narrative. Point of highest emotion.highest emotion.

Anti-ClimaxAnti-Climax A weak or disappointing A weak or disappointing

conclusionconclusion

Falling actionFalling action

Conflict begins to get

resolved.

Denouement / Denouement / resolutionresolution

The outcome or The outcome or solution of the plotsolution of the plot

ConflictConflictCharacter vs.Character vs.

CharacterCharacterFate, destiny, “god”Fate, destiny, “god”Supernatural, unknownSupernatural, unknownNatureNatureSocietySocietySelfSelf

ThemeTheme

Universal topic about life

MoralMoral

MotifMotif

Reoccurring color, saying, song, topic, action, object, etc…

ToneTone

MoodMood

SymbolSymbol

CharacterizationCharacterization

The development or The development or creation of characters in a creation of characters in a narrativenarrative A A dynamic dynamic character character

undergoes a undergoes a fundamental changefundamental change

* * Whereas a Whereas a staticstatic character remains the character remains the samesame

CharacterizationCharacterization

The development or The development or creation of characters in a creation of characters in a narrativenarrative A A dynamic dynamic character character

undergoes a undergoes a fundamental changefundamental change

* * Whereas a Whereas a staticstatic character remains the character remains the samesame

IronyIrony

VerbalVerbal

The twisting or foiling The twisting or foiling of expectationsof expectations

DramaticDramatic

SituationalSituational

ImageryImageryFigurative LanguageFigurative Language

similesimile Often uses Often uses like, as, similar to, as if, & resembleslike, as, similar to, as if, & resembles

MetaphorMetaphor Often uses Often uses is, was…is, was…

personificationpersonification

anthropomorphismanthropomorphism

hyperbolehyperbole

ForeshadowingForeshadowing An indication or hint of things yet An indication or hint of things yet

to occur in the plotto occur in the plot

FlashbackFlashback

onomatopoeiaonomatopoeia

punpunA bicycle can't A bicycle can't

stand alonestand aloneMercutio--"Nay, gentle

Romeo, we must have you dance."

Romeo--"Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes / With nimble soles; I have a soul of lead…"(I iv 13-5)

because it is two-tired.because it is two-tired.

paradoxparadox

OxymoronOxymoronOxy = sharp Moron = dull

open secret larger half clearly confused

act naturally alone together Hell's Angels

found missing liquid gas civil engineer

deafening silence seriously funny living dead

Microsoft Works military intelligence jumbo shrimp

Advanced BASIC tragic comedy unbiased opinion

virtual reality definite maybe original copies

pretty ugly same difference plastic glasses

almost exactly constant variable even odds

minor crisis extinct life genuine imitation

exact estimate only choice freezer burn

working holiday rolling stop

AllusionAllusion

"the city that never sleeps"

draws upon the ready stock of ideas or emotion already associated with a topic in a relatively short space.

“We’re not in Kansas any more.”“KOBE!”

AlliterationAlliteration

"Bitsy Big-Boy "Bitsy Big-Boy Boomeroo" in Dr. Boomeroo" in Dr. Seuss's Seuss's The Butter The Butter Battle BookBattle Book. .

assonanceassonance

FinFin