Literary Terms Flashcards
Characterization
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
Theme
the main moral or message of a piece of lterature
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
the narrator is an outside voice telling the story, not a part of the story
third person omniscient
the narrator is an outside voice that is all-knowing and can tell the character’s thoughts and feelings
direct characterization
tells the audience what the personality of the character is
indirect characteriation
shows things that reveal personality of a character.
dynamic characterization
change throughout the plot , change may be sudden or the change may be gradual throughout the story
static characterization
experience basic character changes during the course of the story
Protagonist
central character
Antagonist
a person or force that oppose the protagonist
setting
the time and place in which a story takes place
plot
the structure of the story
exposition
the basic background information is revealed such as setting, characters, and past events
rising action
conflicts developed
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
internal conflict
within a character’s own mind, a personal conflict
external conflict
a problem a character faces with an outside force.
Man vs, Nature
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Society
Situational Irony
when something other than what is expected to happen happens
dramatic irony
when the reader pr audience knows more about a situation than a character
Verbal Irony
(sarcasm) when a person says or writes something, but means something else
