Literary Terms Tool Box

Question 1

Characterization

Answer 1

the method in which the author develops a character. That includes the character’s thoughts, words, actions and what the author says about him/her.

Question 2

direct characterization

Answer 2

tells you directly

Question 3

indirect characterization

Answer 3

actions, words, thought (show)

Question 4

dynamic characterization

Answer 4

character changes

Question 5

static characterization

Answer 5

character remains the same

Question 6

protagonist

Answer 6

the central character or hero

Question 7

antagonist

Answer 7

a person or force that opposes the protagonist

Question 8

setting

Answer 8

the time and place in which a story takes place

Question 9

plot

Answer 9

the structure of the story

Question 10

exposition (plot)

Answer 10

the basic background information is revealed

Question 11

rising action (plot)

Answer 11

conflict develops

Question 12

climax (plot)

Answer 12

the turning point of the story

Question 13

falling action (plot)

Answer 13

events that occur after the climax

Question 14

resolution (plot)

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Theme

Answer 15

the main moral or message of a piece of literature

Question 16

conflict

Answer 16

problem

Question 17

internal (conflict)

Answer 17

within a character’s own mind- a personal conflict)

Question 18

external (conflict)

Answer 18

a problem a character faces with an outside force

1. Man vs. Man
2. Man vs. Nature
3. Man vs. Society

Question 19

point of view

Answer 19

the perspective from which a story is told (narrated)

Question 20

first person

Answer 20

the narrator is a part of the story and uses personal pronouns (i, me)

Question 21

third person

Answer 21

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

Question 22

third person omniscient

Answer 22

the narrators an outside voice that is all-knowing and can tell a character’s thoughts and feelings.

Question 23

situational irony

Answer 23

when something other than what is expected to happen, happens

Question 24

dramatic irony

Answer 24

when the reader or audience knows more about a situation than a character

Question 25

verbal irony

Answer 25

when a person says or writes something, but means something else

Question 26

symbolism

Answer 26

when an object stands for something greater then itself