English Vocabulary Flashcards
character
a person in a story, poem or play
allusion
reference to a person, place, thing or event from literature, history, religion, mythology, politics, sports, science or pop culture
round character
a character that has many different traits, is complex and well developed
flat character
a character that has one or two traits, can be described in few words
dynamic character
a character who changes as a result of the story’s events
static character
a character who doesn’t change much over the course of a story
characterization
the process of revealing the personality of a character in a story
conflict
struggle or clash between opposing characters or forces
external conflict
a character struggles against an outside force, such as another character, society or nature
internal conflict
takes place entirely within a character’s mind
diction
a writer’s/speaker’s choice of words, which is essential to his/her style
foil
character who is used as a contrast to another character
foreshadowing
the use of clues that hint at what is going to be coming
irony
the contrast between expectation and reality
situational irony
the contrast between expectation and reality
dramatic irony
occurs when the audience or reader knows something that a character in a play or story does not know
verbal irony
referred to as sarcasm, a writer says one thing but really means something else
simile
compares two things using the words “like” or “as”
her eyes shined like a thousand diamonds
metaphor
compares two things without using “like” or “as”
her eyes were a thousand diamonds
personification
giving human qualities to something that is not human
plot
the series of events that make up a story
exposition
characters, setting and basic situation are introduced
rising action
conflict or problem is introduced
climax
turing point or action in the story