Literary Terms

Question 1

What is the plot structure?

Answer 1

Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Conclusion

Question 2

What is Setting?

Answer 2

• Where the story takes place
• What time period
• Description of the environment

Question 3

What is Rise of Action?

Answer 3

• Building of the plot
• Unfolding of sequence of events
• More is revealed about characters and themes become more apparent

Question 4

What is the Climax?

Answer 4

• Point in the story when the most significant happenings occur

Question 5

What is Denouement/Falling Action?

Answer 5

• Winding down of the plot
• Things become settled and fall into place AFTER the climax has occurred
• A breathing time for the main character

Question 6

What is the Conclusion?

Answer 6

• Concludes the plot

- There is a full acceptance of the way things are

Question 7

What is Characterization?

Answer 7

• When a person’s human qualities are revealed by his/her:

1. Name
2. Appearance
3. What he/she says
4. What he/she does
5. What others say about them

Question 8

What is Indirect Characterization?

Answer 8

• Provides the reader with enough information to draw their own conclusions.

Question 9

What is Direct Characterization?

Answer 9

• The author provides the reader with enough info to draw their own conclusions

Question 10

What is a Round Character?

Answer 10

• Well developed through most of the elements of characterization
• These characters are more believable and real

Question 11

What is a Flat Character?

Answer 11

• Weakly developed characters

- Only barely described and not much is revealed about their personality

Question 12

What is a Main Character?

Answer 12

• The story revolves around them (protagonist)

- They are involved in the main conflict and are most important

Question 13

What are Minor Characters?

Answer 13

• Those that enhance the role of the main character

- Not directly involved in the main character’s conflict, but still important

Question 14

What is Mood?

Answer 14

Feeling/atmosphere (ex. Somber, joyful, mystical)

Question 15

What is Pathetic Fallacy?

Answer 15

When the environment reflects the mood/feeling/situation of the characters.

Question 16

What is Conflict?

Answer 16

• The internal or external struggle that the character is feeling.
• A problem that must be solved.

Question 17

What are the three types of conflict?

Answer 17

Person vs. Person: (external) the protagonist directly struggles with another or other persons

Person vs. Self: (internal) the protagonist struggles with an inner conflict and must come to a realization or understanding with their self

Person vs. Environment: (external) the protagonist struggles with some or all of: nature, supernatural, society.

Question 18

What is Point of View?

Answer 18

POV is the relationship of the narrator and the story. Sometimes called the method of narration.

Question 19

What are the 5 methods of narration?

Answer 19

First Person Major - Main Character tells their own story

First Person Minor - A minor character who happens to be there tells the story (ex. The Great Gatsby)

Third Person Omniscient - Narrator knows the thoughts of all the characters in the story

Third Person Ordinary - Narrator tells the reader only what he perceives

Third Person Central Character - Narrator only tells what the central character thinks, feels, does, etc.

Question 20

What is a Symbol?

Answer 20

Something used to represent something else

Question 21

What is Irony?

Answer 21

A situation where the exact opposite occurs rather than what is expected.

Question 22

What is Theme?

Answer 22

The central meaning of a work-seldom directed stated.

Question 23

What is Atmosphere/Mood?

Answer 23

The dominant feeling of a situation

Question 24

What is pathos?

Answer 24

In both music and literature it creates a feeling of sadness, pity or sorrow in the reader