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.

Question 2

Theme

Answer 2

the main moral or message of a piece of literature

Question 3

Point of View

Answer 3

The perspective from which a story is told

Question 4

First person

Answer 4

The narrator is a part of the story and uses personal pronouns (I,me)

Question 5

Third person

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Third person omniscient

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Protagonist

Answer 7

Central character or hero

Question 8

Antagonist

Answer 8

A person or force that opposes the protagonist

Question 9

Setting

Answer 9

Time and place in which a story takes place

Question 10

Plot

Answer 10

Structure of a story

Question 11

Exposition

Answer 11

Basic background information is revealed, foundation for the story. Includes setting, characters, and previous conflicts

Question 12

Rising action

Answer 12

Conflicts develop

Question 13

Climax

Answer 13

Turning point of the story; interest and intensity are at its peak

Question 14

Falling action

Answer 14

Events that occur after the climax

Question 15

Resolution

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Situational Irony

Answer 16

When something other than what is expected to happen happens

Question 17

Dramatic Irony

Answer 17

When the reader or audience knows more about a situation than a character

Question 18

Verbal Irony

Answer 18

When a person says or writes something, but means something else

Question 19

Symbolism

Answer 19

When an object stands for something greater than itself

Question 20

Conflict

Answer 20

Problem

Question 21

Internal Conflict

Answer 21

(Within a character’s own mind- a personal conflict)

Question 22

External Conflict

Answer 22

(A problem a character faces with an outside force)
Man Vs Man
Man Vs Nature
Man Vs Society

Question 23

Direct Characterization

Answer 23

tells the audience what the personality of the character is

Question 24

Indirect Characterization

Answer 24

shows things that reveal the personality of a character

- this can be revealed through a character’s speech, thoughts, actions, interactions w. others, etc.

Question 25

Dynamic Characterization

Answer 25

experience changes throughout the plot of a story. The change may be sudden or the change may be gradual and take place throughout the story

Question 26

Static Characterization

Answer 26

do not experience basic character changes during the course of the story