Literary Terms Flashcards
What is a literary theme? Be able to provide an example
A literary theme is the main idea or message in a story.
Example: A common theme is “friendship.” In Charlotte’s Web, the story shows how true friendship can be caring and selfless.
5 elements of short stories
Plot – The sequence of events in the story.
Character – The people, animals, or beings in the story.
Setting – Where and when the story takes place.
Theme – The main idea or message of the story.
Conflict – The problem or struggle that drives the story.
Verbal irony
Verbal irony is when someone says one thing but means the opposite.
situational irony
Situational irony is when something unexpected happens.
Universal human experiences
Universal human experiences are feelings, situations, or challenges that all people, regardless of culture or background, can relate to.
How symbolism and theme are intertwined.
Symbolism and theme are connected because symbols help express the theme in a story.
Difference between tone and mood
Tone is the author’s attitude toward the subject, while mood is the feeling the reader gets from the story.
how to identify theme
what is the story about?
What do the characters learn?
What patterns or repeated ideas do you see?
what is imaginary
Imagery is when the author uses words to create pictures in your mind.
Example: “The soft, sweet smell of fresh-baked cookies.”
what is suspense
Suspense is the feeling of excitement or worry about what will happen next in a story.
Example: Waiting to see if the hero will escape the danger keeps you on edge!
what is narration
Narration is the way a story is told, including who tells it and how it’s presented.
Example: In The Hunger Games, Katniss narrates the story from her point of view.
Illusions
Illusions are false perceptions or misconceptions, things that appear real but aren’t.
allusions
Allusions are references to something well-known, like a person, event, or work of art.
indirect characterization
Indirect characterization is when the author shows a character’s traits through their actions, speech, thoughts, or how other characters react to them, rather than directly telling us.
internal conflict
Internal conflict is a struggle within a character’s mind, often involving decisions, emotions, or personal beliefs.
external conflict
External conflict is a struggle between a character and an outside force, like another character, society, or nature.
