literary devices Flashcards
Setting
Where and when
plot
a series of events or actions
character
the people in the story who carry out the action
conflict
a struggle in the plot between two opposing forces
theme
the main idea or author’s message
5 elements of fiction
setting, plot, character, conflict, theme
plot diagram
Introduction, rising action, conflict, climax, falling action, conclusion
Exposition/Introduction
Part of the story that introduces important background information, for example, the setting, events occurring before the main plot, characters back stories etc.
Rising Action
A series of conflicts in a literary plot that build toward the point of greatest interest. Suspense is building.
Climax
The turning point of the story- the point of highest intensity or drama
Falling Action
Occurs after the climax has been reached and the conflict has been resolved
Resolution/Conclusión
The final closing and clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot
What are the two types of conflict
external conflict and internal conflict
External conflict
Takes place OUTSIDE of the body, it’s between the character and an OUTSIDE source
internal conflict
Takes place INSIDE the character; it’s a struggle within the character
Types of external conflict
- Character vs Character
- it occurs when one character has a problem with another character in the story - Character vs Nature
- this conflict pits the character against a natural force like a blizzard, a predatory animal or a contagious disease - Character vs Society
- This conflict happens when the character has a problem with the society in which they live, including laws, or the belief of groups
types of internal conflict
Within the Characters mind
- inner conflict that we dont often see
- Internal conflict happens in a character’s mind. You can’t really see on the outside.
Protagonist
A protagonist is the central character or leading figure in poetry, novels or any other story. A protagonist is sometimes called a “hero” by the audience or readers.
Antagonist
In literature, an antagonist is a character or a group of characters (or a force)which stand in opposition to the protagonist or the main character
2 types of characterization
Indirect and direct characterization
Direct Characterization
The audience is told directly what the characters are like.
Indirect Characterization
Audience learns about the characters indirectly by their: LOOKS SPEECH RELATIONSHIPS ACTIONS THOUGHTS
theme
Theme is the message conveyed by a text that applies to multiple other texts.
- cannot be a single word
suspense
Suspense is the intense feeling that an audience goes through while waiting for the outcome of certain events. It basically leaves the reader holding their breath and wanting more information.