Literary Terms Tool Box Flashcards
Characterization
The method in which the author develops a character. This includes the characters thoughts, words, and actions, and what the narrator and other characters say about him/her.
Protagonist
The central character or hero *can be a bad guy
Antagonist
A person or force that opposes the protagonist (causes the main conflict)
Setting
The time and place in which a story takes place.
Plot
The structure of a story. The event that makes up a story.
Exposition
The basic background information is released.
Rising Action
Conflict develops
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.
Theme
The main moral or message of a piece of literature. What we learn about life.
Conflict
Problem
Internal problem
Within a characters own mind- a personal conflict
External Conflict
A problem a character faces with an outside force
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 a characters thought and feelings.
Irony
Something unexpected
Situational Irony
When something other than what is expected happen happens.
Dramatic Irony
When the reader or audience knows more about a situation than a character.
Verbal
When a person says or writes something, but means something else. (sarcasm)
Symbolism
When an object stands for something greater than itself and it has another meaning.
Mood
The emotional effect created by the author (the way the reader feels when reading.)
