Midterms Flashcards
plot
a sequence of events in a story
NOT analytic
conflict
the struggle b/w 2 opposing ppl or forces as a protagonist struggles with one or more antagonists
friction that requires action to be taken
protagonist
the main character of a story
the action of the story revolves around the protagonists & the conflict he/she faces
antagonist
the character/force the protagonist struggles against & must overcome
5 major types of conflict
protagonist vs.:
- nature
- society
- another person
- supernatural being (god-like force, technological creation, etc.)
- him/herself (internal)
what does the setting reveal?
mood, plot, characters, & theme
setting & mood
sets overall mood of the story
setting & plot
setting is important @ each pt in the plot
setting & characters
shows the characters’ physical & psychological strengths/weaknesses as they interact w/ the setting
setting & theme
says something abt life
chronological order
events in the order in which they occurred
flashbacks
an acount of a conversation, episode, or event tht happened before the beginning of a story/@ an earlier pt
interrupts the main action
shows how the past led to the present
provides background info
en media res
begins in the middle of a crisis or conflict
circular/framing structure
parallel opening & closing
Ex: A house on mango street begins & ends at the same address
foreshadowing
a writer’s use of hintsor clues in early scenes to suggest events that will occur later
prepares the reader for events to come later - often in climax/resolution
creates suspense
makes readers eager to keep reading
how do writers build characters?
STEAL
STEAL
Speech
Thoughts (private/spoken)
Effects on others (reaction)
Actions
Looks (appearance)
1st person
tell their own stories (using PN’s like I, me, and we)
tell us what they think and feel
not always reliable
limited understanding of other characters
story seems more real
dramatic monologue
a type of poem in which a speaker addresses one/more silent listeners
narrator often discuesses a specific prob/situation, talks abt his/her life & values, reveals his/her relationship w/ the audience
soliloquy
a long speech in which a character who is onstage alone expresses his/her thoughts aloud
character may discuss specific prob/situation, or reveal his/her deepest private thoughts
dialogue
conversation b/w characters
pay attention to: what characters say & don’t say; how characters respond to each other
thoughts
note whether the character’s thoughts & feelings match their speech & actions
what is revealed thru the character’s thoughts & feelings?
effect on others
note what the others say abt the character/how characters behave in the character’s presence
actions
observe to determine:
what their personality is like
what motivates them
how they deal w/ conflict