exam worksheets Flashcards
plot
series of events that drive a story
elements of plot
exposition
rising action
climax
falling action
resolution
exposition
introduces characters and conflict. gives background information and establishes setting
rising action
the conflict develops and intensifies
climax
moment of highest interest and suspense
falling action
consequences of the climax and the events that follow.
resolution
the main conflict is resolved
what is conflict in a plot?
conflict, in a plot, is some type of struggle that throughout the story is developed, intensified, and resolved
internal conflict
struggle within the character
external conflict
struggle between a character and an outside force
how are most stories organized?
in chronological order
chronological order
the plot is unfolded in the order the events occurred
device used to interrupt chronological order
flashback
flashback
affects the organization because it presents an event that occurred earlier/prior.
point of view
vantage point or perspective from which a story is told
how does point of view affect the reader?
the point of view affects how the reader sees the story because a narrator can alter the readers perspective by including his opinion, bias or belief
Types of point of view
1st person
2nd person
3rd person
1st person pov strength
The narrator participated in or witnessed the story. this makes it emotionally authentic
1st person pov pronouns
I, we
2nd person pov strength
it addresses the reader directly, putting them in the story. The reader can imagine how they would react in the situation
2nd person pov pronouns
you
3rd person pov strength
narrator is the outside action and observes, allowing him/her to receive insight of thoughts, feelings, emotions of a character or various characters
3rd person pov pronouns
he, she, it
what is the narrator?
a narrator is the storyteller
three questions that will help you determine the point of view of a story
Is the narrator a character in the story?
who is telling the story?
How might the story be different if told from another character’s point of view?
genre
type of category of literary composition
fiction
any work of prose that tells an invented or imaginary story
prose
writing other than poetry and drama
short story
brief work of fiction
novel
long work of fiction
irony
difference between appearance and reality
dramatic irony
something known by the writer or audience but unknown to the characters
verbal irony
a character says one thing but means another
irony of situation
event that occurs that is contrary to what is expected by the characters or the audience
types of irony
dramatic irony
verbal irony
irony of situation
character
individual that takes part in a literary work
types of characters
protagonist - antagonist
major - minor
round - flat
dynamic - static
protagonist
has a central role in the story
antagonist
works against the protagonist. This friction creates conflict
Major characters
characters around whom a story is centered
major characters can also be classified as
protagonist and/or antagonist
minor characters
play lesser roles in the story and may give major characters points of interaction
round character
shows emotional complexity and development
flat character
exhibits only a single quality, are considered stereotypes
dynamic character
is affected by the plot events, therefore undergoes change
static character
remains the same throughout the course of the story (not affected by plot events)
Three most common characterization techniques
-describing physical features, dress, and personality of the character
-showing what the characters say, think or do
-showing what other characters say or think about them
characterization
act of creating or describing a character
setting
time and place in which a story occurs
setting can include
-geographical location
-time period
-socio-economic conditions
-specific room or building
mood
emotion created in the reader by part or all of the story
mood is also known as…
atmosphere
Examples of moods
mysterious, happy, frightening, peaceful, serious, tense
sensory details
details that appeal to several or all of the five senses
five senses
sight
sound
smell
taste
touch
Theme
central idea in a literary work
theme is also known as
authors message
three elements of theme
symbol
plot
characterization
how can symbol show theme in the story
by using an object, either conventional, personal, or idiosyncratic, the author can make something stand for itself or something else
how can plot show theme in the story
the writers attitude toward the plot, or patter of events, can show a theme of a work
how can characterization show theme in the story
the writers attitude toward the character and that characters outlook can show the theme of a work
the theme of a work can be
stated or implied
stated theme
theme that is presented directly within the story
implied theme
theme that requires the reader to make inferences or guesses about the authors message and perception of the events in the story
questions to find and refine the theme
what is the message?
what does the author want me to think about?
What seems to motivate the characters?
What causes situations to change or events to happen?
