"Literary Terms" Flashcards
Characterization
The method in which the author develops a character. This includes the characters thoughts, words, and actions. Also what the characters say about him/her.
Theme
A main moral or message of a piece of literature
Point of view
The perspective from which the story is told (narrated)
First person
The narrarator is part of the story and uses personal pronouns. I,me
Third person
The narrator is an outside voice telling the story, not part of the story
Direct characterization
Tells the audience what the personality of the character is
Indirect charcterization
Shows things that reveal the personality of a character through speech, thoughts, actions, and interactions with other characters
Dynamic character
Experience changes throughout the plot of a story. The change may be sudden or gradual throughout
Static character
Don’t experience basic character changes during the story
Protagonist
A central character or hero
can be either good or bad
Antagonist
A person or force that opposes a protagonist
can be either good or bad
Setting
The time and place in which a story takes place
Plot
The structure of a story
Exposition
The basic backround information is revealed
Rising action
Conflicts developed
Cimax
The turning point of a story, intrest and intensity are at it’s peak
Falling action
Events that occur after the climax
Resolution
Conflicts are resolved, the way things are going to be from now on
Theme
The main moral or message of a piece of literature
Conflict
Problem
Internal
Within a character’s own mind (personal conflict)
External
A problem a character faces (an outside source)
Situational irony
When something other than what is expected to happen, happens.
Dramatic irony
When the reader or audience knows more about the situation than a character
Verbal irony
When a person says or writes something, but means something else (sarcasm)
Symbolism
When an object stands for something greater than itself
