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 (narrated)

Question 4

First Person Narrator

Answer 4

The narrator is a part of the story and uses personal prom nouns such as ‘I’ and ‘Me’

Question 5

Third Person Narrator

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Third Person Omniscient Narrator

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

the central character or hero

Question 8

Antagonist

Answer 8

a person or force that opposes the protagonist

Question 9

Setting

Answer 9

the time and place in which a story takes place

Question 10

Plot (Exposition)

Answer 10

the basic background information is revealed. Setting, character, past events

Question 11

Plot (Rising Action)

Answer 11

conflicts develop

Question 12

Plot (Climax)

Answer 12

the turning point of the story; interest and intensity are at it’s peak

Question 13

Plot (Falling Action)

Answer 13

events that occur after the climax

Question 14

Plot (Resolution)

Answer 14

the main moral; or message of a piece of literature

Question 15

Conflict

Answer 15

problem

Question 16

Internal Conflict

Answer 16

problem within a character’s own mind- a personal conflict

Question 17

External Conflict

Answer 17

a problem a character faces with an outside force

a. character vs. character
b. character vs. nature
c. character vs. society

Question 18

Situational Irony

Answer 18

when something other then what is expected to happen happens

Question 19

Dramatic Irony

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Verbal Irony

Answer 20

when a person says or writes something, but means something else.

Question 21

Symbolism

Answer 21

when an object starts for something greater than itself

EXAMPLES: The Necklace

Question 22

Direct Characterization

Answer 22

tells the audience what the personality of the chatacter is

Question 23

Indirect Characterization

Answer 23

shows things that reveal the personality of a character. This can be revealed through a characters speech, thoughts, sections, interactions with other characters, etc. (infer!)