english idioms & vocab (fantasy) Flashcards
make hay while the sun shines
take advantage of a good situation
on cloud nine
extremely happy
to see eye to eye
to agree with something/someone else
fantasy items
cauldrons, wands, potions, spells, crystal balls, candles, magic books
fantasy beasts
wyverns, unicorns, ogres, goblins, gnomes, fairies, centaurs, phoenixes
fantasy characters
hero (usually young, but has potential), wise man, a companion, a monster/villian (challenges), princess & love interests
anthropormophism
the term for giving an animal, plant or objects human qualities (opposite of personification)
high fantasy
pieces of fiction that involve the growth or change of a journey, their worlds are make believe
low fantasy
pieces of fiction often set in the real world, then undergoes development by finding portals/dimension realms.
versimilitude
the appearance of being true or real (the quality of seeming to be true) - tricks the protagonist
suspension of belief
to allow oneself to believe that something is true even though it sems impossible
narrative story structure
orientation>rising action>complication>climax (character is at their breaking point)>reversal>falling action>ending/resolution
elements of fantasy
-imaginary worlds
-magic
-heroism
-anthropormorphism
-fantastic beasts
-races & cultures —> mostly found in high fantasy, world is usually inhabited by characters that arent always human
e.g fairies, giants, ogres, wizards, dwarves
how to make an emotional scene better? (show them holding it in)
Weak: tears streamed down her face. She felt completely broke.
Strong: She pressed her lips together, forcing her breath to stay even, but her hands-clenched so tightly they trembled-betrayed her
how to make an emotional scene better? (use physical tension instead of just tears)
Weak: He was so angry he clenched his fists & yelled.
Strong: His jaw tightened. He inhaled through his nose-sharp, controlled. “Im fine”, he said, his voice dangerously even.
how to make an emotional scene better? (let dialogue contradict emotion)
Weak: “Im really upset about what happened”
Strong: “Its fine” she said, shoving her papers into her bag with more force than necessary. “Its not like I expected anything different”
how to make an emotional scene better? (delay the breaking point)
Weak: She burst into tears the second she heard the news.
Strong: She nodded, smiled, & made it through the rest of the meeting. But later, alone in the car, her fingers trembled as she reached for the keys. That’s when the first tear fell.
how to make an emotional scene better? (use stillness to amplify emotion) (stillness can be more powerful than an explosion)
Weak: He threw the picture frame across the room, screaming in frustration.
Strong: He picked up the photo, thumb brushing over the glass. For a long time, he just stared at it. Then, quietly, he set it face down on the table & walked away.
how to subtly insert plot info without over-explaining? (Embed info in action)
Over-explained: She walked into the store & found a book that would help her solve her problem
Subtle: Her hand brushed over the rows of books. One spined with gold lettering caught her eye– “The Secret to The Lost City” She hesitated, then pulled it from the shelf. Maybe it was worth a look.
how to subtly insert plot info without over-explaining? (Use dialogue for indirect info)
Over-explained: “I heard about a way to defeat the villain. We can go find the talisman in the ancient temple”
Subtle: “I remember my grandfather telling me about a talisman hidden in the temple, though, knowing the villagers, I doubt anyones been brave enough to find it in years”
how to subtly insert plot info without over-explaining? (Introduce info through setting)
Over-explained: The sky grew darker as he walked into the battlefield, a sign of the coming storm and his impending doom
Subtle: The air grew heavier as he stepped upon the battlefield, the sky faintly bruised, clouds hanging like unfinished thoughts.
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what are some tragic/dark character arcs? (the tragic hero)
a character who starts with noble intentions but is doomed to fall. Their downfall is often caused by their own choices, a fatal flaw, or an inescapable fate.
what are some tragic/dark character arcs? (the fatal flaw)
A character who has everything they need to succeed, except for one flaw they cannot overcome, this single weakness leads to their undoing.
what are some tragic/dark character arcs? (the madman)
A slow and haunting descent into darkness. This character may start off with good intentions. But fear, grief, or obsessions twists them beyond recognition.
