lit terms 1-39

Question 1

Exposition

Answer 1

The introductory material which gives the setting, creates the tone, presents the characters, and presents other facts necessary to understanding the story.

Question 2

Rising Action

Answer 2

A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the inciting force and ends with the climax.

Question 3

Climax

Answer 3

The climax is the result of the crisis. It is the high point of the story for the reader. Frequently, it is the moment of the highest interest and greatest emotion. The point at which the outcome of the conflict can be predicted.

Question 4

Inciting Force

Answer 4

The event or character that triggers the conflict.

Question 5

Conflict

Answer 5

The essence of fiction. It creates plot. The conflicts we encounter can usually be identified as one of four kinds. (Man versus…Man, Nature, Society, or Self)e essence of fiction. It creates plot. The conflicts we encounter can usually be identified as one of four kinds. (Man versus…Man, Nature, Society, or Self)

Question 6

Falling Action

Answer 6

The events after the climax which close the story

Question 7

Resolution

Answer 7

Rounds out and concludes the action.

Question 8

Foreshadowing

Answer 8

The use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story.

Question 9

Crisis

Answer 9

The conflict reaches a turning point. At this point the opposing forces in the story meet and the conflict becomes most intense. The crisis occurs before or at the same time as the climax.

Question 10

Round character

Answer 10

or three-dimensional characters. They have good and bad qualities.
the opposite is a

Question 11

Flat Character

Answer 11

they have only one quality and are of minor importance

Question 12

Dynamic character

Answer 12

grows or progresses to a higher level of understanding in the course of the story.

Question 13

Static Character

Answer 13

or someone who stays the same

Question 14

Protagonist

Answer 14

The main character in the story

Question 15

Antagonist

Answer 15

The character or force that opposes the protagonist.

Question 16

Foil

Answer 16

A character who provides a contrast to the protagonist.

Question 17

First Person

Answer 17

The narrator is a character in the story who can reveal only personal thoughts and feelings and what he or she sees and is told by other characters. He can’t tell us thoughts of other characters.

Question 18

Third-Person Objective

Answer 18

The narrator is an outsider who can report only what he or she sees and hears. This narrator can tell us what is happening, but he can’t tell us the thoughts of the characters.

Question 19

Third-Person Limited

Answer 19

The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of one of the characters.

Question 20

Omniscient

Answer 20

The narrator is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the minds of more than one of the characters.

Question 21

Man versus Man

Answer 21

Conflict that pits one person against another.

Question 22

Man versus Nature

Answer 22

A run-in with the forces of nature. On the one hand, it expresses the insignificance of a single human life in the cosmic scheme of things. On the other hand, it tests the limits of a person’s strength and will to live.
A run-in with the forces of nature. On the one hand, it expresses the insignificance of a single human life in the cosmic scheme of things. On the other hand, it tests the limits of a person’s strength and will to live.

Question 23

Man versus Society

Answer 23

The values and customs by which everyone else lives are being challenged. The character may come to an untimely end as a result of his or her own convictions. The character may, on the other hand, bring others around to a sympathetic point of view, or it may be decided that society was right after all.

Question 24

Man versus Self

Answer 24

Internal conflict. Not all conflict involves other people. Sometimes people are their own worst enemies. An internal conflict is a good test of a character’s values. Does he give in to temptation or rise above it? Does he demand the most from himself or settle for something less? Does he even bother to struggle? The internal conflicts of a character and how they are resolved are good clues to the character’s inner strength.

Question 25

Verbal Irony

Answer 25

The contrast between what is said and what is actually meant.

Question 26

Irony of Situation

Answer 26

This refers to a happening that is the opposite of what is expected or in

Question 27

Dramatic Irony

Answer 27

his occurs when the audience or reader knows more than the characters know.

Question 28

Tone

Answer 28

The author’s attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. Some possible attitudes are pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, and joyful. An author’s tone can be revealed through choice of words and details.

Question 29

Mood

Answer 29

The climate of feeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute towards creating a specific mood. For example, an author may create a mood of mystery around a character or setting but may treat that character or setting in an ironic, serious, or humorous tone

Question 30

SYMBOLISM

Answer 30

A person, place or object which has a meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well. Things, characters and actions can be symbols. Anything that suggests a meaning beyond the obvious.
Some symbols are conventional, generally meaning the same thing to all readers.
For example: bright sunshine symbolizes goodness and water is a symbolic cleanser.

Question 31

THEME

Answer 31

The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. A theme may be stated or implied. Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves a statement or opinion about the topic. Not every literary work has a theme. Themes may be major or minor. A major theme is an idea the author returns to time and again. It becomes one of the most important ideas in the story. Minor themes are ideas that may appear from time to time.
It is important to recognize the difference between the theme of a literary work and the subject of a literary work. The subject is the topic on which an author has chosen to write. The theme, however, makes some statement about or expresses some opinion on that topic. For example, the subject of a story might be war while the theme might be the idea that war is useless.

Question 32

IMAGERY:

Answer 32

Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of our senses.

Question 33

Simile

Answer 33

A figure of speech which involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Example: The muscles on his brawny arms are strong as iron bands.

Question 34

Metaphor

Answer 34

A figure of speech which involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of be. The comparison is not announced by like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon of moonlight.

Question 35

Alliteration

Answer 35

Repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words. Alliteration is used to create melody, establish mood, call attention to important words, and point out similarities and contrasts. Example: wide-eyed and wondering while we wait for others to waken.

Question 36

Personification

Answer 36

A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. It is a comparison which the author uses to show something in an entirely new light, to communicate a certain feeling or attitude towards it and to control the way a reader perceives it. Example: a brave handsome brute fell with a creaking rending cry–the author is giving a tree human qualities.

Question 37

Onomatopoeia

Answer 37

The use of words that mimic sounds. They appeal to our sense of hearing and they help bring a description to life. A string of syllables the author has made up to represent the way a sound really sounds. Example: Caarackle!

Question 38

Hyperbole

Answer 38

An exaggerated statement used to heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: She’s said so on several million occasions

Question 39

. Anecdote

Answer 39

a short story, usually serving to make the listeners laugh or ponder over a topic. Generally, the anecdote will relate to the subject matter that the group of people is discussing.