Literary Terms Tool Box

Question 1

Characterization

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Protagonist

Answer 2

The central character or hero *can be a bad guy

Question 3

Antagonist

Answer 3

A person or force that opposes the protagonist (causes the main conflict)

Question 4

Setting

Answer 4

The time and place in which a story takes place.

Question 5

Plot

Answer 5

The structure of a story. The event that makes up a story.

Question 6

Exposition

Answer 6

The basic background information is released.

Question 7

Rising Action

Answer 7

Conflict develops

Question 8

Climax

Answer 8

The turning point of the story; interest and intensity are at its peak

Question 9

Falling Action

Answer 9

Events that occur after the climax

Question 10

Resolution

Answer 10

Conflicts are resolved; the way things are going to be from now on.

Question 11

Theme

Answer 11

The main moral or message of a piece of literature. What we learn about life.

Question 12

Conflict

Answer 12

Problem

Question 13

Internal problem

Answer 13

Within a characters own mind- a personal conflict

Question 14

External Conflict

Answer 14

A problem a character faces with an outside force

Question 15

Point of View

Answer 15

The perspective from which a story is told (narrated)

Question 16

First Person

Answer 16

The narrator is a part of the story and uses personal pronouns (I,Me)

Question 17

Third Person

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Third Person Omniscient

Answer 18

The narrator is an outside voice that is all-knowing and can tell a characters thought and feelings.

Question 19

Irony

Answer 19

Something unexpected

Question 20

Situational Irony

Answer 20

When something other than what is expected happen happens.

Question 21

Dramatic Irony

Answer 21

When the reader or audience knows more about a situation than a character.

Question 22

Verbal

Answer 22

When a person says or writes something, but means something else. (sarcasm)

Question 23

Symbolism

Answer 23

When an object stands for something greater than itself and it has another meaning.

Question 24

Mood

Answer 24

The emotional effect created by the author (the way the reader feels when reading.)

Question 25

Direct Characterization

Answer 25

tells the audience what the personality of the character is.

Question 26

Indirect Characterization

Answer 26

Shows things that reveal the personality of a character.