Literary Terms Flashcards
Characterization
The method in which the author develops a character . Includes characters thoughts, words, and actions and what the narrator and other characters think about them.
Theme
Main moral or message of a piece of literature.
Point of View
the perspective from which a story is told (narrated)
First person
The narrator is a part of the story and uses personal pronouns (I,me)
Third person
Narrator is an outside voice telling the story, not apart of the story.
Third Person Omniscient
The narrator is an outside voice that is all knowing and can tell a character’s thoughts and feelings.
Protagonist
The central character or hero
Antagonist
a person or force that opposes the protagonist
setting
the time and place in which a story takes place
Plot
the structure of a story
exposition
the basic background information is revealed. Foundations for the story. characters, setting, pervious conflicts.
rising action
conflicts develop
climax
the turning point of the story; interest and intensity are at its peak.
falling action
events that occur after the climax
resolution
conflicts are resolved; the way things are going to be from now on.
Conflict
problem
-internal
within a characters own mind- a personal conflict
-external
a problem a character faces with an outside force.
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Society
Situational irony
when something other than what is expected to happen happens.
dramatic irony
when the reader or audience knows more about a situation that a character.
Verbal irony
when an object stands for something greater than itself.
Symbolism
when an object stands for something grater than itself.
Direct Characterization
Tells the audience what the personality of the character is.
Indirect characterization
shows things that reveal the personality of a character.
Dynamic characterization
experiences changes throughout the plot of a story. The change may be sudden or the change may be gradual and take place throughout a story.
Static characterization
do not experience basic character changes during the course of the story.
