Literary Terms

Exposition

Introduces setting (time and place), characters and conflict

Rising Action

Adds complications; conflict becomes clearer and lease to climax

Climax

Turning point (often toward end of story)

Falling Action

Effects of climactic scene are realized

Resolution

Conflicts are settled; loose ends tied up (sometimes)

Flashback

A scene that interrupts the present action to tell what happened earlier

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about what will occur later in the plot

Mood

The feeling or atmosphere the writer creates for the reader

Setting

Where and when the setting takes place (includes time of day, time period, artifacts/clothing, transportation, etc.)

Dialect

The way a character speaks if he/she is from a different part of the country

Characterization

The methods that a writer uses to develop characters; there are two types

Direct Characterization

The author tells us directly what the character's personality is like

Indirect Characterization

Through the author's physical descriptions, the character's speech, thoughts or actions, or other character's speech, thoughts, or actions, the reader uses his or her own judgment to decide what a character is like

Character Development

The way a character changes from the beginning to the end of the story

Trait

A distinguishing characteristic (i.e. brave, foolish, arrogant)

Protagonist

The main character; the character we are meant to sympathize with; the character we know the most about

Antagonist

The character used to contrast the main character; the character that causes the conflict for the main character

Point of View

The method of narrating the story, novel, poem or work of nonfiction. It is usually first or third person:

Tone

The attitude a writer takes toward a subject; reflects the feelings of the writer (serious, humorous, tragic, suspenseful, angry, ironic)

Conflict

A struggle between opposing sides or forces; there are two types:

External Conflict

The struggle is between a character and another character, or a character and something non-human and outside of themselves such as a force of nature like a blizzard or flood

Internal Conflict

the struggle takes place inside the character's mind: character has conflicting emotions; within themselves often involving a difficult decision

Theme

The main idea in a work of literature. It is a perception about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader. In most cases, the theme is not directly stated but inferred

Irony

Twists and surprises in a story; a difference between what is expected and what happens; between what is said and what is meant; between what appears true and what is true; there are 3 types:

Verbal Irony

Saying one thing but meaning the opposite; sarcasm

Situational Irony

The unexpected happens; sudden twist at end of story

Dramatic Irony

Audience/reader knows something the characters do not; if the characters had known, they would have done things differently and the outcome of the story would then be different

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things--Life is a roller coaster, full of ups and downs.

Simile

A comparison between two unlike things using like or as--Life is like a box of chocolates

Personifcation

Giving human traits to non-human things--The sun is smiling down on the world.

Imagery

Descriptive words or phrases that re-create sensory experiences for the reader by calling forth the use of the senses (sights, sounds, smells, tastes, etc.) and putting a picture in the reader's mind

Symbol

Any object or action that represents something beyond itself; it can be traditional (established, recognizable symbols = archetypes, such as rose, white hat) or original (red light saber in Star Wars)

Literary Terms

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