English midterm Flashcards
Protagonist
Has motivation/desire
Can have a flaw
Might need to learn something
Antagonist
Not necessarily a person
A group or character, institution or concept that stands in or represents opposition against the protagonist
Foreshadow
Writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story.
Metaphor
A figure of speech that compares two unlike things by saying one thing IS the other thing.
Similie
A figure of speech that compares two unlike things by using LIKE or AS to make the comparison.
Irony
A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. It is NOT the opposite of what happens. It’s just not expected.
Verbal irony
A character says one thing but means the opposite
Situational irony
Situational irony is when there is a very different outcome than what was expected.
Dramatic irony
Dramatic irony happens when the audience or reader knows more than the characters
Symbolism
When an author uses an object to represent an abstract idea. Symbols in a story help to develop the main characters and themes.
Oxymoron
Oxymoron is a figure of speech that puts together two contradictory terms or elements. The combination of these contradicting elements may seem to confuse the reader, but it actually makes sense. Sometimes oxymorons are humorous.
Paradox
A statement of paradox is, in fact, a sentence phrase that seems contradictory, but is, in fact, profoundly true.
Idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase.
Idioms do not mean what they appear to mean.
Allusion
A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance.
Aside
A line spoken by the actor to an audience but not intended for others on stage
Imagery
Creating a picture in the readers mind by making the reader, hear, smell, taste, or touch what is being described
Motiff
A unifying element in an artistic work which helps to develop a theme, especially any recurrent image, symbol, character type, subject, or narrative detail. An image or picture that repeats itself. “Falling” in Catcher in the Rye.
Literary non-fiction
Prose writing that presents and explains ideas or that tells about real:
People
Places
Objects
Events
It is an accurate representation of a subject which is presented as fact. However, it is generally assumed that the authors of such accounts believe them to be truthful at the time of their composition. So…the writing is true to the writer at the time of writing.
Examples of non-fiction
Autobiographies, biographies, memoirs
Personal essays
Speeches
Letters, diary entries
Literary Criticism
Newspaper articles
Reviews (books, restaurants, bands
How do literary non-fiction differ from fiction
The people, events, and places presented in nonfiction are real, not invented.
Nonfiction is narrated by an author who is a real person.
Nonfiction presents facts, describes true-life experiences, or discusses ideas.
Why is non-fiction written
Nonfiction is written for a specific AUDIENCE, or group of readers.
Nonfiction addresses a clear PURPOSE, or reason for writing.
Style
Style is how an author uses language. Style reflects an author’s personality.
Tone
is the author’s attitude towards both the subject and readers. In conversations, you can hear a speaker’s tone in the way words and phrases are spoken. When reading, you can “hear” tone in an author’s choice of words and details.
Can be described in a single word
POV
is ”who” is telling your story? First person, second person, third person?
Perspective
is the viewpoint an author chooses. At what stage of knowledge are you in when you are telling the story? Are you ten recreating the wonder of getting a new sibling? Or, are you fourteen sharing a life changing experience that changed the core of who you are?
Purpose
the author’s reason for writing. Common purposes are to:
Inform
Persuade
Honor
Entertain
Explain
Warn
Narrative non-fiction
nonfiction tell stories of real-life events. Some narrative nonfiction is reflective writing, which shares the writer’s thoughts and feelings about a personal experience, idea, or a concern.
Examples: Memoirs and autobiographies
Expository
nonfiction informs or explains.
EX: analytical essays and research reports
Persuasive
nonfiction presents reasons and evidence to convince the reader to act or think in a certain way.
EX: political speeches/cartoons
Descriptive
uses details related to the senses to create mental images for the reader.
EX: character sketches and scientific observations
We read memoirs too
Become inspired based on life experience
Gain insight into different cultures
See things from another’s point of view (race, gender, war, illness, celebrity life, athletes)
Expose ourselves to other’s pain or triumphLearn about identity: (the coming of age memoir: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Bossy Pants by Tina Fey, Breaking Night by Liz Murray)
Get answers to your problems
Extend your life beyond Springfield, NJ
Find someone with your beliefs
Know we are not alone
Mood
the feeling the reader get
the feeling the reader (or listener) gets after interpreting the tone.
Voice modulation/Inflection
is “change in the pitch or tone of the voice.”
Varying your tone throughout the speech – raising your voice slightly to indicate a question, lowering it to end a declarative sentence, speaking louder to indicate excitement or softer to express sadness – will help keep your audience awake and alert!
