Literary Elements Flashcards
Introduces the characters, setting, and the conflict.
Exposition
The universal life subject found in a work of literature (love, fear, happiness, pride)
Central Idea
An interruption in the action of the plot to tell what happened at an earlier time.
Flashback
Follows the climax and ends with the resolution.
Falling Action
The author drops hints about what will happen next in the story.
Foreshadow
Feelings a writer wants the reader to have while reading.
Mood
The reason a character behaves the way he/she does
Motivation
Story is told from one character’s perspective, and participates in the action of the story.
1st Person Point of View
Conflict which happens inside a character’s mind
Internal Conflict
Sequence of events in a story
Plot
Main character in a story. The action of the plot revolves around this character.
Protagonist
All loose ends are tied up.
Resolution
Author reveals a character’s personality through thoughts, words, actions, comments to other characters, and a character’s physical appearance.
Indirect Characterization
A reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature
Allusion
Perspective from which the story is told. Who is telling the story.
Point of View
When a situation turns out differently than expected.
Situational Irony
Series of events leading to the climax.
Rising Action
The uncertainty or anxiety you feel about what will happen next in the story.
Suspense
Time and place in which the story occurs
Setting
The narrator is outside lookin in, who does not participate in the action of the story. The narrator knows all, sees all, and reports all. The narrator knows the thoughts and actions of ALL characters.
3rd Person Omniscient
A person, place, or thing which has meaning in itself, but which is made to represent, or stand for something else, as well
Symbol
The narrator is not a character in the story, uses third person pronouns but only know the thoughts and emotions of ONE character.
3rd Person Limited
Central idea or message of the story
Theme
When the audience or reader knows more than the characters know
Dramatic Irony
The contrast between what is said and what is actually meant
Verbal Irony
Struggle that takes place between TWO opposing forces.
Conflict
Characters struggle against something or someone outside of themselves.
External Conflict
The author tells the reader about the character
Direct Characterization
Most exciting part of the story, where the conflict is resolved
Climax
Person or thing working against the protagonist
Antagonist
