lit terms/SS test Flashcards
what are the 5 parts of a plot?
exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution
what happens in the exposition of a story?
the author introduces the characters and setting and begins to tell the plot
what happens in the rising action of a story?
the author continues to develop the characters and tells the events leading to the climax. Your interest in the story and characters is building or rising
what happens in the climax of a story?
this part of the story creates the most intense interest. The author tells you ‘what happened’
what happens in the falling action of a story?
the author begins to end the story by telling the reader how the characters were affected or changed
what happens in the resolution of a story?
this is the last part of the story or the ending. This can be referred to as the final outcome
what is conflict?
the problem to be resolved in the story
what is internal conflict?
it’s internal conflict when it’s a struggle between the main character and themself
what is external conflict?
if the problem to be resolved is between the main character and other characters or nature, its external conflict
what is a protagonist in a story?
the story centers around a main character or sometimes several main characters. These characters are the heroes or the “good guys”
what is an antagonist in a story?
this is the character(s) that threaten or try to hurt the protagonists
what are the 4 techniques/methods used by authors to develop stories?
foreshadowing, flashback, suspense, and surprise ending
what is foreshadowing?
when an author gives hints or clues as to what might happen in a story
what is a flashback?
when an author interrupts a story to tell about an incident that happened earlier (before the story started)
what is suspense?
when an author creates tension or nervousness about what is to come in a story
what is a surprise ending?
when an author writes the opposite of what you expected for an ending
what are the points of view?
first-person, second-person (don’t need to know), and third-person
what is first-person narration?
when the narrator is a character from the story
what is third-person narration?
when the narrator is someone from outside the story.
what pronouns are used for first-person narration?
I, me, or my/mine
what pronouns are used for third-person narration?
he, she, they, and them
what is the first method of characterization?
description of Physical traits
what is the second method of characterization?
description of Personality
what is the third method of characterization?
use of character’s Speech
what is the fourth method of characterization?
description of the character’s Behavior
what is the fifth method of characterization?
Opinions and reactions of other characters toward this individual
what is the sixth method of characterization?
revealing the character’s Thoughts and feelings
what is a setting?
every story has a setting, place, and time of action
what is connotation?
the emotional, imaginative, or cultural meanings associated with a word. ex: cool, meaning hip, awesome, or fun
what is denotation?
the strict dictionary meaning of a word. ex: cool, meaning mildly cold
what is a hyperbole?
an exaggerated statement used especially to make a point. ex: I have told you a thousand times
what is imagery?
the concrete details that appeal to the senses. ex: juicy, cool, delicious, red apple
what is an inference?
a reasonable and intelligent conclusion drawn from hints or other information provided by an author
what is verbal irony?
when what is said is the opposite of what is meant (aka sarcasm). ex: after having a miserable day, the protagonist says, “What a great day this is.”
what is the irony of the situation?
when what happens is the opposite of what you expect. ex: the police chief was arrested for stealing
what is a stereotype?
a fixed generalized idea about a character or situation. ex: all boys like sports. polo is too dangerous for women
what is a symbol?
a person, place, event, or object that has a meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well. ex: American flag, wedding rind, school emblem
what is a theme?
the central idea or insight into life is revealed through the story’s events. it is what you can learn about your life based on reading the story. It can be referred to as the moral.
what is the tone of a story?
this is the author’s attitude toward a subject. This is reflected in the author’s approach to writing about the subject. ex: serious, matter-of-fact, comical, respectful, etc.
what is the mood of a story?
this is the total feeling created in a literary work. The mood is not the author’s attitude as much as the overall feeling created by the piece
what is a simile?
a figure of speech that uses like or as to make a direct comparison between unlike things. ex: he is as sly as a fox
what is a metaphor?
this is a direct comparison of two unlike things, not using like or as. the comparison is implied. ex: he is a rock that I lean on in times of trouble
what is personification?
this is a type of figurative language in which a non-human subject is given human-like characteristics. ex: the leaves danced in the breeze
