LA stories Flashcards
Exposition
Beginning of the story; introduces characters, setting, situation
Rising action
A complication or conflict arises-events stand in the way of resolving the conflict
Climax
Highest point of action; turning point of the conflict
Falling action
Immediate fallout of the climax
Resolution
Conflict is resolved; the outcome
Protagonist
Main character in a story
Antagonist
Character or force working against the main character
Flat character
One-dimensional; we only see one side or trait of the character
Round character
Fully developed; we get to see the complexity of the character
Narrative Characterization
Is depicted through an author’s direct description of a character. What the author TELLS us about the character.
Dramatic Characterization
Is depicted through a character’s actions and/or how a character interacts with other characters. What the author SHOWS us about the character
Motivation
Why characters do what they do
Setting
The time and place of events within a story
Mood
The feeling the writing gives the reader
Foreshadowing
Clues that hint at events that will happen later in the story
Flashback
The author jumps back to something that happened before a certain point in the story
Chronological order
The story is told in the exact order in which the events take place; the beginning occurs at the beginning and the end at the end.
Imagery
Description that appeals to the five senses; give the reader a clear picture
Character vs. self
Emotional, intellectual, or moral conflicts within a character
Character vs. society
A character battles against a societal force or condition produced by society (poverty, political issues, etc.)
Character vs. nature or supernatural
A character fights against a natural force (flood) or some form of manifestation (ghosts)
Character vs. fate
A character battles against destiny
First person POV
Character directly involved in the action-”I” or “me”
Third person POV
Character not directly involved in the action-”he” or “she”
Omniscient perspective
All knowing or seeing narrator-can see viewpoint of multiple characters
Limited perspective
Narrator can only see the perspective of certain – NOT ALL – characters
Theme
The big idea the writer wishes to reveal about the subject. Usually, this literary element is a universal observation about the human condition. The reader can connect to this idea.
Symbol
A person, place, or thing that stands for itself but also carries a deeper meaning or message.
Verbal irony
Sarcasm; the speaker means the opposite of what he/she actually says.
Situational Irony
The contrast between expectation and reality in a story. What is expected to happen and what really does happen.
Dramatic Irony
Occurs when the reader/viewer knows something the characters don’t.
