Literary terms for fiction

Question 1

What is a protagonist

Answer 1

The protagonist is the chief or main character in a literary work or drama. Often the protagonist is portrayed as a nerd while the antagonist is the villain however there are books or place where they are presented in the opposite manner.

Question 2

Genre

Answer 2

A form or category of literature, such as epic, tragedy, comedy and satire.

Question 3

Fable

Answer 3

A short unadorned prose fiction that teaches a moral lesson. Often animals are characters.

Question 4

What is a parable

Answer 4

A short narrative that illustrates a moral, philosophical or spiritual lesson. A parable may be prodigal son. Example: the parable of the prodigal son.

Question 5

What is a tale?

Answer 5

A short narrative, usually lacking in detail, with unrealistic and sometimes fantastic characters and events. Usually tails are less concerned than short stories with revealing theme and character. The term tail has connotations of timeless folklore. Example: Jack and the beanstalk

Question 6

Realism

Answer 6

As a term in literary history, realism refers to fiction and drama of the late 19th century that concentrated on the ordinary middle class existence and it’s daily concerns like money, society, and marriage. The characters are bankers, farmers and housekeeper’s, not swashbuckling pirate, Gallant nights, or supernatural beings. In a more general sense, realistic refers to a matter of representing life; it is the opposite of romantic.

Question 7

What is a short story

Answer 7

A short prose fiction usually depicting a single incident (unlike most novels). A newer forms in the novel, the modern short story dates from the early 19th century.

Question 8

What is story of initiation?

Answer 8

A short story depicting a decisive that initiates a character into a higher state of awareness, whether for better or for worse.

Question 9

What is a theme?

Answer 9

A term used in different ways: for the main idea but not necessarily the subject, of a work of literature; an idea what your work explores; or an argument that a work advances. Therefore, a theme can be identified in a complete sentence, and noun phrase, or single word: in George Orwells animal farm, “the corrupting influence of power” quotation,

Question 10

What is an antagonist?

Answer 10

A character, or sometimes a thing, in conflict with the main character or protagonist.

Question 11

What is conflict

Answer 11

The central problem or issue to be resolved in a plot, involving the main character struggling against another character or characters or obstacle. Conflict can also refer to the ideas in a literary work example: the road not taken dramatize is the conflicting values of conformity and independence.

Question 12

What is exposition?

Answer 12

The revelation, usually early in a story or play of necessary background information.

Question 13

What is setting?

Answer 13

The location of a story. It may be important in developing character, motivation time. Sitting often includes a set tone and is linked to atmosphere.

Question 14

Foreshadowing

Answer 14

A hint that is fully understood only in retrospect after the reader discovers more information later in the story. The term does not simply mean an omen or an explicit prediction of something that will happen later. Foreshadowing is always a noun; foreshadow is a verb.

Question 15

What is climax

Answer 15

The high point of tension in a plot when the outcome is decided.

Question 16

Dénouement

Answer 16

Resolution or conclusion: the scene in which a pot reaches its final outcome: mysteries are solved, questions answered, and the main conflict settled.

Question 17

Epiphany

Answer 17

A sudden moment of realization in a story or play, often triggered by Munding event. Originally a religious term for a word manifestation of God‘s presence.

Question 18

Flat character

Answer 18

A one dimensional character of her who has only a few, easily define treats. Most minor characters are flat. Not to be confused with a static character.

Question 19

What is a round character?

Answer 19

A multi facetted character especially one who is capable of choosing right or wrong. Usually a protagonist is a round character; in most short stories no more than one or two characters are around. Not to be confused with a dynamic character.

Question 20

What is a dynamic character?

Answer 20

A character who changes, especially one who comes to a major realization. The realization may or may not change the characters actions, but the character must never be able to see the world and quite the same way. Not all protagonists our dynamic. Rarely does a short story have more than one or two dynamic characters.

Question 21

What is a static character

Answer 21

A character who undergoes no such change.

Question 22

What is stock character

Answer 22

A character type used repeatedly, often stereotype like the med scientist of horror stories or the blonde airhead of teen movies. Stock characters are usually encountered in popular fiction. However, excellent writers have sometimes used stock characters in original ways.

Question 23

What is a symbol?

Answer 23

A thing that suggests more than its literal meaning. He symbol can be a thing or an action. Recurring images can take on symbolic overtones. Symbolism is the collective function of symbols in a work, or an authors use of symbols.

Question 24

Allegory

Answer 24

A narrative that serves as an extended metaphor. Allegories are written in the form of fables, parables, poems, stories, and almost any other style or genre.

Question 25

Allusion

Answer 25

A reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature.

Question 26

Third person or nonparticipant character

Answer 26

A person who is not a characte

Question 27

Objective

Answer 27

Narrative that only describes and does not enter characters thoughts

Question 28

Limited or selective omniscience

Answer 28

Narrative that season to different characters. In editorial omnicience, a variance of omniscents, the third person narrative as comments judging characters.

Question 29

First person or participant narrator

Answer 29

A narrator who is a major or minor character in the story.

Question 30

Ironic point of view

Answer 30

The first person narrator who does not understand the implications of the story.

Question 31

Unreliable narrator

Answer 31

A narrator who misinterprets the story due to prejudice, madness etc.

Question 32

Naïve narrator

Answer 32

And interpretation of the chronological sequence of an event or earlier occurrence.

Question 33

What is irony?

Answer 33

A literary term referring to how a person, situation, statement, or circumstance is not as it would actually seen. Many times it is the exact opposite of what appears to be.

Question 34

Dramatic irony

Answer 34

When the reader is aware of something that is going to occur in a story that a character is unaware of.

Question 35

Verbal irony

Answer 35

When the writer says one thing but means something entirely different

Question 36

Situational irony

Answer 36

Ernie involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is different to what was expected.

Question 37

Motif

Answer 37

A recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature. A motif may also be to contrasting elements in a work, such as good and evil.

Question 38

Diction

Answer 38

The intended language used by an author in order to create a greater sense of locale.

Question 39

Tone

Answer 39

The attitude the author expresses of his or her topic.

Question 40

Atmosphere

Answer 40

Atmosphere is related to mood. It is the emotional atmosphere of literary work. This term is similar to tone however it differs. Tone refers to the authors attitude toward the topic while mood refers to what the reader experiences.

Question 41

Juxtaposition

Answer 41

The fact of two things seen or place close together with contrasting effect. Paradox seemingly absurd or self contradicting statement or position that when investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true.