English Terms

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Characterization

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The ways characters are described. STEAL acronym.

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Dialogue

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People speaking to each other in a dramatic or literary work

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Genre

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A type of literature.

Examples, comedy, mystery, tragedy, satire, elegy, romance, epic.

How to define/differentiate: organizational features (chapters, acts, scenes, stanzas), length, mood, style, reader’s role, author’s reason for writing

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Imagery

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The authors use of vivid descriptions, that evoke sense-impressions

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Plot

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Sequence of events in a narrative or a story

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Style

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How the author uses language to convey their ideas & purpose in writing. For example, diction, syntax, tone, characters; narrative techniques.

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Bildungsroman prose text

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A type of novel that shows in individuals coming of age through self discovery, and personal knowledge

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Epistolary prose text

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A novel, composed, primarily of letters, sent and received

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Essay prose text

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A short written composition in prose that discusses a subject or an argument

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Novela prose text

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A fictional narrative (between the length of a novel in a short story)

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Apology, author voice

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Often at the beginning or conclusion of a text, author justifies their goals in producing the text

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Apology, author voice

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Often at the beginning or conclusion of a text, author justifies their goals in producing the text

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Irony, author voice

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Saying one thing and meaning the opposite. Often to shock audiences and emphasize the importance of truth

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Satire, author voice

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Mocking ridiculing, or poking fun at a person, beliefs, or a group of people to challenge them. Use Irony, sarcasm, exaggeration to assert their perspective

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Stream of consciousness, author voice

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Author traces their thoughts verb them into the text. A representation of the author’s exact thoughts throughout the writing process

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Anti-hero

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A protagonist who embodies none of the qualities typically shown in traditional heroes. Their feelings are typically used to humanized them and conveyor message about the reality of human existence

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Anti-hero

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A protagonist who embodies none of the qualities typically shown in traditional heroes. Their feelings are typically used to humanized them and conveyor message about the reality of human existence

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Archetype/Stock character

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A figure (personality, place, situation) found in diverse cultures & different historical periods. Paying attention to these can help readers to identify what an author may pose as universal truths about life society, human interaction, etc..

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Epithet

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Adjective, noun or phrase expressing characteristic quality (or ironically speak of what it lacks) of a person or thing (ex: descriptive names)

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Personification

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Artistic representation of a concept, quality or idea in the form of a person

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Alliteration

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Repetition of the same sounds are (usually the initial consonant) in any sequence of neighbouring words

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Apostrophe

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Figure of speech, referring to an address to a dead or absent person/an abstraction or inanimate object

Usually employed for emotional emphasis.

Example: “Blow winds, blow!”

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Diction

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Author’s word choice, or specific language used to describe events and interact with other characters

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Climax

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The moment, when events in the narrative and character’s destinies are most unclear. Often times the protagonist must make a decision to overcome the challenge.

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Climax

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The moment, when events in the narrative and character’s destinies are most unclear. Often times the protagonist must make a decision to overcome the challenge.

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Denouement

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When the climax and central conflicts are resolved, and a resolution is found

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Deus Ex Machina

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Any character, event or device suddenly introduced to resolve the conflict

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Exposition

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Usually at the beginning of a text, introduces the character, setting background information, etc. that readers might need to know in order to understand the rest of the text.

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Frame narrative

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story around a central narrative to provide background information in context

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In media res

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An author begins a text in the MIDDLE of the action!

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Allegory

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An attempt to convert abstract concepts, values, beliefs or historical events into characters (or tangible elements)

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Hyperbole

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Exaggeration. Not to be taken literally, used for emphasis.

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Metaphor

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Refer to one thing by another to identify similarities between them (define each in relation to one another)

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Metonymy

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Subtitution of a quality, idea or object for the thing itself.

For example, refer to a woman as “a skirt” or the sea as “the deep”

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Parody

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Native narrative work or writing style that mocks another. Typically exaggerates and emphasizes elements from original work in order to ridicule comment on and criticize their message

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Simile

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A figure of speech that compares 2 things using “like” or “as”

Things: people, object, elements or concepts

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Types of Irony (3)

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Verbal — character says some thing that contradicts what they intended

Situational — both the characters and the audience are unaware of certain important information. (Contrast between what is expected and what happens)

Dramatic — the reader, is aware of information that the characters are unaware of. (What character says/believes contrasts, with what the reader knows)