Literary Terms

Question 1

Characterization

Answer 1

The method in which the author develops a character. This includes the character’s thoughts, words, and actions and what the narrator and other characters say about him/her on it.

Question 2

Protagonist

Answer 2

The central character or hero, can be a bad guy.

Question 3

Antagonist

Answer 3

A person or force that opposes the protagonist. (causes the main conflict)

Question 4

Setting

Answer 4

The time and place in which a story takes place.

Question 5

Plot

Answer 5

The structure of a story, events that make up a story.

Question 6

a) Exposition

Answer 6

The basic background information is revealed.

Question 7

b) Rising action

Answer 7

Conflicts develop.

Question 8

c) Climax

Answer 8

The turning point of the story; interest and intensity are its peak.

Question 9

d) Falling action

Answer 9

events that occur after climax.

Question 10

e) Resolution

Answer 10

Conflicts are resolved; the way things are going to be from now on.

Question 11

Theme

Answer 11

The main moral or message of a piece of literature, what we learn about life from reading. Authors message and central idea of the text.

Question 12

Conflict

Answer 12

problem

Question 13

a) Internal

Answer 13

Within a character’s own mind- a personal conflict

man vs. man.

Question 14

b) External

Answer 14

A problem a character faces with an outside force.

a) Man vs. Man- with another character
b) Man vs. nature- ex. weather, flood
c) Man vs. Society- a group, law, attitudes and beliefs pf a group government.

Question 15

Point of view

Answer 15

The perspective from which a story is told (narrated) ( the “voice” telling the story)

Question 16

a) First person

Answer 16

The narrator is a part of the story and uses person pronouns.

Question 17

b) Third person

Answer 17

The narrator is an outside voice telling the story not a part of the story.

Question 18

c) Third person omniscient

Answer 18

The narrator is an outside voice that is all-knowing and can tell a character’s thoughts and feelings.

Question 19

Irony

Answer 19

Something unexpected.

Question 20

a) Situational

Answer 20

when something other than what is expected to happen happens.

Question 21

b) Dramatic

Answer 21

When the reader or audience knows more about a situation than a character. -scary movie

Question 22

c) Verbal

Answer 22

When a person says or writes something but means something else. -sarcasm

Question 23

Symbolism

Answer 23

When an object stands for something greater than itself. It has other meaning.