Literary Terms 12-20 Flashcards
yup
the process of revealing the personality of a character
characterization
readers have to use their own judgment to decide what a character is like, based on the evidence the writer gives
indirect characterization
readers are told directly what the character’s personality is like, such as cruel, kind, sneaky, brave, etc.
direct characterization
one who does not change much in the course of the story
static character
one who changes as a result of the story’s events
dynamic character
only one or two traits, and these can be described in a few words; such a character has no depth, like a piece of cardboard
flat character
has many different character traits, which sometimes contradict one another (similar to a real person)
round character
appears so often in literature that his or her nature is instantly recognized
stock character (or stereotyped character)
an expression that has grown stale and flat as a result of overuse; a trite expression or idea
cliche
a type of language (slang) used in everyday
speech but not used in formal speech or writing. gives conversational, familiar tone. include local or regional dialects.
colloquial language/colloquialism
the problem that the characters struggle to resolve
conflict
a conflict the character has within himself
internal conflict
a conflict the character has with another character, an outside force, or with society
external conflict
when a character struggles with another character
Man vs. Man
When a character struggles with moral
dilemmas, emotional challenges or desires they deem unsavory; with the character’s own soul or conscience.
Man vs. Self
conflict is between all the people and forces of nature
Man vs. Nature
When the character is repressed by society and not by a specific character
Man vs. Society
When the character comes up against poltergeists, robots, aliens, divine forces or supernatural villains
Man vs. Fantasy/Supernatural/Technology
the feelings and ideas that come to be associated with a word over time; the implied suggested meaning. may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes
connotation
the repetition of consonant sounds within and at the end of words
consonance
the precise, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color
denotation
a way of speaking that is characteristic of a particular region or a particular group of people. may differ in vocabulary, pronunciation and grammatical form; help establish setting and to develop characters
dialect
word choice; the clearness and effectiveness of the author’s words; the words authors use to create sensations or moods
diction
