Literay Terms Flashcards
Struggle between a literary or dramatic character and an outside force such as nature or another character, which drives the dramatic action of the plot
External Conflict
It is the logical sequence of events that develops a story
Plot
Psychological struggle within the mind of a literary or dramatic character, the resolution of which creates the plot suspense
Internal Conflict
Man vs. man Man vs. nature Man vs. society Man vs. supernatural Man vs. animal Man vs. technology
6 types of external conflict
Man vs. self
1 type of internal conflict
To show or indicate beforehand; prefigure
Foreshadowing
A state or condition of mental certainty or excitement, as in awaiting a decision or outcome, usually accompanied by a degree of apprehension or anxiety
Suspense
A device in the narrative of motion picture, novel, etc. by which an event or scene taking place before the present time in which the narrative is inserted into the chronological structure of work
Flashback
The leading character, hero, or heroine of a drama or other literary work. the main character in a story, novel, drama, or other literary work, the character that the reader or audience empathizes with
Protagonist
A person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another; opponent; adversary (problem). the bad guy who cause the problems for the protagonist
Antagonist
two characters who have opposing qualities
Foil
A literary or dramatic character who undergoes an important inner change; a change in personality or attitude
Dynamic Character
A literary or dynamic character who undergoes little or no inner change; a character who does not grow or develop
Static Character
A character in fiction whose personality , background, motives and other features are fully delineated by the author
Round a Character
An easily recognized character type in fiction who may not be fully delineated but is useful in carrying out some narrative purpose of the author
Flat Character
Shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character with the objective to highlight the traits of other character. Usually the protagonist
Foil character
The process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed by the use of descriptive adjectives, phrases or epithets
Direct characterization
The process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through a character’s speech, actions, appearance, etc
Indirect Characterization
Is the angle of considering things, which shows us the opinion, or feelings of the individuals involved in a situation. is the mode of narration that an author employs to let the readers “hear” and “see” what takes place in a story, poem, essay etc
Point of view
Time and place of an event
Setting
The dominant mood or emotional tone of a work of art, as of a play or novel
Atmosphere
Quality or character of sound
Tone
The subject of discourse, discussion,meditation, or composition; topic
Theme
Language that contains or uses figures of speech, especially metaphors
Figurative Language
A figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance
Metaphor
A figure of speech in hw in two unlike things are compared and uses “like” and “as”
Simile
Something used for or regarded as representing something else; a material object representing something, often something immaterial; emblem, token, or sign
Symbol
A representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another
Allegory
The associated or secondary meaning of word or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning
Connotation
The explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a word or expression, as distinguished from the ideas or meaning associated with it or suggested by it; the association or set of association that a word usually elicits for most speakers of a language, as distinguished from those elicited for any individual speaker because of personal experience
Denotation
The formation of mental images, figures, or likenesses of things, or of such images collectively
Imagery
The practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing thing with a symbolic meaning or character
Symbolism
The attribution of human nature or character to animals in inanimate objects, or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical figure
Personification
A figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the word
Irony
A state or quality of feeling at a particular time. Climate feeling
Mood
A comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory
Exposition
A serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one
Conflict
The most intense, exciting, or important point of something
Climax
The action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter
Resolution
Fighting between two people
Person vs. person
Government is after them, or many people
Person vs. society
person who may get stuck in the woods or outside somewhere in nature
Person vs. nature
a theme in literature that places a character against technology, for example Frankenstein
Person vs. technology
person against any animal
Person vs animal
conflict in which an individual strives against something beyond their understanding, like a werewolf, vampire, something that doesn’t really exist
Person vs. Supernatural
a character who is in opposition with themselves; usually over a decision that needs to be made
Person vs. Self
is in use when a character narrates the story with I-me-my-mine in his or her speech
First Person Point of View
in which the author uses you and your, is rare
Second Person Point of View
is that of an outsider looking at the action
Third Person Point of View
like God; can get into people’s head
Third Person Omniscient Point of View
reporter what he/her hears or see’s
Third Person Limited Point of View
facts of a narrative are reported by a seemingly neutral, impersonal observer or recorder
Objective
