Literary Techniques - Narrative

Question 1

Atmosphere

Answer 1

A type of feeling that readers get from a narrative, based on details such as setting, background, objects, and foreshadowing.

Question 2

Dramatic monologue

Answer 2

A speech of some duration addressed by a character to a second person.

Question 3

Narrative perspective

Answer 3

A set of features determining the way a story is told and what is told. It includes the person who is telling the story, or the narrator, as well as the character from whose point of view the story is told. eg. third-person omniscient, third-person limited, first person, second person, multiple narrators

Question 4

Narrative structure

Answer 4

The structural framework that underlies the order and manner in which a narrative is presented to a reader. eg. - orientation, rising action, conflict, climax, falling action, resolution

Question 5

Symbolism

Answer 5

The use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense.

Question 6

Themes

Answer 6

A main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work, which may be stated directly or indirectly.

Question 7

Characterisation

Answer 7

A literary device that is used step-by-step in literature to highlight and explain the details about a character in a story.

Question 8

Motif

Answer 8

An image, sound, action, or other figure that has a symbolic significance, and contributes toward the development of a theme.

Question 9

Plot

Answer 9

The events that make up a story, or the main part of a story. These events relate to each other in a pattern or a sequence.

Question 10

Foreshadowing

Answer 10

When a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. Foreshadowing often appears at the beginning of a story, or a chapter, and helps the reader develop expectations about the coming events in a story.

Question 11

Analepsis

Answer 11

A form of flashback in which earlier parts of a narrative are related to others that have already been narrated. (back in time)

Question 12

Prolepsis

Answer 12

The plot goes ahead of time; meaning a scene that interrupts and takes the narrative forward in time from the current time in the story. (forward in time)

Question 13

Stream of consciousness

Answer 13

A method of narration that describes happenings in the flow of thoughts in the minds of the characters.

Question 14

Subplot

Answer 14

A secondary plot, or a strand of the main plot that runs parallel to it and supports it.

Question 15

Syntax

Answer 15

The way in which words and sentences are placed together to achieve a lyrical, rhythmic, rhetoric or questioning effect.

Question 16

Theme

Answer 16

A main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work, which may be stated directly or indirectly.

Question 17

Linear

Answer 17

A series of events that have a clear beginning, middle and end. The story unfolds in a chronological order, which means they are told in the order they happened.

Question 18

Non-linear

Answer 18

When events are portrayed out of chronological order or in other ways where the narrative does not follow a clear order.

Question 19

Setting

Answer 19

The time and place in which the story takes place, including social statuses, weather, historical period, and details about immediate surroundings. The setting provides the backdrop to the story and helps create mood.