LITERARY TERMS

Allegory• A story which

has meaning on both the literal and figurative or moral level.–Ex: Star Wars

Antagonist vs. Protagonist

• Antagonist- the main adversary or enemy of the hero.

• Protagonist- the central hero of the story.

Types of Characters• Flat- a flat character is one who

expresses a single quality or idea. Usually a stereotype.

• Round- usually at least 2-D or more fully developed. More lifelike.

• A static character is one whose attitudes and beliefs do not change over course of a story/movie.

• A dynamic character is one whose attitudes and beliefs do change over the course of a story or movie.

Comedy• A story in which

the characters overcome adversity to reach a successful conclusion.

• It is often light or humorous in tone.

Conflict• A struggle that occurs

in the plot of a story.• Two types:

– External—a character pitted against an outside force (ex:nature)

– Internal—one that occurs within the character.

Definitions• Denotation: The

literal or dictionary definition of a word

• Connotation: The attitudes and feelings associated with a word… the emotional implications toward a word.

Diction• Diction is the manner

in which we express words; the wording used.

• Diction = enunciation• Some easy examples

are:– Don’t say ‘goin’ – say

‘going’, – Don’t say ‘wanna’ –

say ‘want to’

Drama• Literature in

which plot and characters are developed through dialogue or action.

• 3 main types:– Comedy– Tragedy– Comedy of

Manners

Fiction vs. Nonfiction

• Fiction: A work of prose that has imaginary elements (ex: short story, novel)

• Non-fiction: A work that deals with real people, place, and events (ex:biography, essay, newspapers).

Flashback• A conversation or

event that happened before the story began.

• Usually, it will interrupt the chronological flow of the story to give the reader additional information.

Foreshadowing• A writer’s use of hints

or clues that indicate events/ situations that will occur later in the story.

• It creates suspense while preparing the reader for what will happen.

Imagery• Words that

describe sights, sounds, and, movements

• They recreate sensory experience

Irony• A special kind of

contrast between appearance and reality..usually reality is the opposite from what it seems.

• Three types:– Situational– Dramatic– Verbal

MOOD

• The feeling or atmosphere that the author creates for the reader.

MORAL• A practical lesson

regarding what is right and what is wrong.

• The distinction between what is right and what is wrong.

Oxymoron• Two words used

together that contradict each other.

• Typically done for dramatic effect

• Example: – Victimless

Crime– Thunderous

Silence

PLOT• The sequence of events in a story or play.

PLOTLINE

Exposition ResolutionRisin

g Ac

tion

Climax

Falling

Action

Conflict Introduced

Plot: ExpositionThe Exposition is the introduction. It is the part of the work that introduces the characters, setting, and basic situation.

Plot: Rising Action

Rising Action is the part of the plot that begins to occur as soon as the conflict is introduced. The rising action adds complications to the conflict and increases reader interest.

Plot: Climax• The Climax is the point of

greatest emotional intensity, interest, or suspense in the plot of a narrative.

• The climax typically comes at the turning point in a story or drama.

Plot: Falling Action/ Denouement

• the action that typically follows the climax and reveals its results.

Point of View• First person-the narrator is a

character in the story (I, me)• Third person- the story is told by a

narrative voice outside the story (he, she)– Omniscient-all knowing…narrator

sees into the minds of all the characters.

– Limited- narrator tells only what 1 character feels, thinks, and observes.

Pun• A play on words– Example: I'm

reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down.

• A work that makes fun of something or someone. Ex:The SimpsonsSouth Park

Satire

Setting• The time and place of a literary work.

Suspense• a state or condition

of mental uncertainty or excitement… usually accompanied by a degree of apprehension or anxiety.

• Two factors cause this:– the reader's

identification with and concern for the welfare of a convincing and sympathetic character

– an anticipation of violence.

StyleStyle is the distinctive way in which an

author uses language.Word choice, phrasing, sentence

length, tone, dialogue, purpose, and attitude toward the audience and subject can all contribute to an author’s writing style.

Symbol• A symbol is a

person, place, activity, or object that stands for something else.

THEME

• A theme is a broad idea, message, or moral of a story. It is a “lesson learned”.

• The message may be about life, society, or human nature.

• It is NEVER specific to the characters.

Tone

• The attitude a writer takes toward a subject.

• The feelings of the writer.

Tragedy• A dramatic work

that presents the downfall of a dignified character or characters.

• Usually it involves a decision that was caused by an error in judgment.

• Tragic flaw

Turning Point• The turning point

in a story, text, or movie occurs when the character’s/author’s attitude or situation changes.

• It often occurs right after the climax and right before the resolution.