Literary Terms

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genre

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a type of literary work

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short story

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a type of literary work that is brief, with few characters, plot is limited, single unique effect, one of two settings

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setting

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where and when a literary work takes place

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plot

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sequence of events in a literary work

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plotline

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intro:rising action:climax:falling action: conclusion

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climax

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high point or turning point of a literary work

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conflict

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struggle between opposing forces
1. man versus man
2. man versus nature
3. man versus society
4. man verses himself

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external conflict

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conflict or struggle with outside forces

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internal conflict

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a struggle with oneself

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theme

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the main idea or message theauthor is attempting to get across to the reader

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foreshadowing

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hint or clue of whats going to happen next or by the end of a literary work

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flashback

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a device by which the writer of fiction or drama presents scenes or incidents that occured prior to the opening of the literary work. it can be doen through character recollections, narration, dream sequences and day dreaming.

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characterization

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methods an author uses to develp a character
1. physical appearance
2. speech and actions
3. inner thoughts and feelings
4. interaction with other people

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flat character

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a character that is not well developed serves to develop the round character

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round character

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a character that is fully developed

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static character

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a character who remains the same from beginning to end despite what happens in the story

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dynamic character

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a character who changes due to the events in the story

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indirect characterization

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the author reveals the character through the characters traits through the characters words and actions and by what others say about him

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direct characterization

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the writer directly states the characters personality, appearance, and action

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protagonist

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main character in a literary work

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antagonist

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the one against or in a conflict with the main character

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satire

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the writing that sometimes humorous that mocks or criticized ideas, individuals, institutions or social conventions

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allusions

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a casual reference to an individual (literary figure) or event in english literature

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symbol

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represents something else ; an object,character, even or setting used in such a way that it represents something beyoned itself

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irony

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the contrast between what is expected and what actually is

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verbal irony

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suggests the opposite of it's usual meaning "what a great day for a picnic (its snowing)"

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situational irony

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an event that occurs that contradicts the expections of the characters, readers, or audience

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dramatic irony

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the difference between what the character thinks and what the other characters and or audience know

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narrator

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one who tells the story

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narration

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the story itself told by someone

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point of view

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the way the author presents the actions of the story

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omniscient point of view

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always written in the 3rd person; The story is writeen from the point of view of an observer, who can see what is going on in the mind of the characters. The writer tells what all the different character in the story hear, feel, see, think

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first-person point of view

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the story is told by one of the characters but not necessarily the author themself

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third-person point of view

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the author may tell the story as if he doesnt comprehend the importance of what he is saying. one characters fellings may be understood.

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alliteration

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multiple words with same letter (constant) or sound with 2 or more words

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personification

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human characteristics to things that aren't living

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metaphor

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comparing thing without like or as

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simile

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comparing things with like or as

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suspense

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element in a literary work that keeps the reader wanting to know what happens next.

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rhyme scheme

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a regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem. rhyme is the repitions of sounds at the ends of the words

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imagery

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the use of language to represent objects, actions, feelings, thoughts, ideas, states or mind and any other scensory of extrasnesory images. done through the five senses

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tone

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the writer's attitude toward his audience or subject the tone of a literary work can often be described by a single adjective such as a formal or informal, serious or playful, bitter or ironic