Midterms Literary Terms Exam Flashcards
Image
A visual representation story; objects or things that trigger one’s senses.
Extended metaphor
A metaphor that carries on throughout the story.
Overstatement
An exaggeration of some sort
Understatement
A statement seeming less important than actually; saying less for effect
Paradox
A self contradicting statement that makes sense
Simile
Comparing two things using like or as
Setting
Where the story takes place; time and place
Controlling metaphor
A metaphor that shapes the story
Metaphor
Comparing similar things without using like or as
Personification
Anything non-human being given human traits.
Point-of-view (POV)
The perspective of who’s telling the story.
Narrator
The voice of the story
Third-person narrator
A storyteller that doesn’t partake in the story; uses he, she, they
Omniscient narrator
A narrator that has no physical body and knows everything; a godlike narrator that knows everything
Editorial omniscient narrator
A third-person narrator that determines a character’s actions; a subjective narrator that offers opinions; a subjective narrator that offers opinions.
Mutual omniscient narrator
A narrator that lets the reader interpret the character for himself.
Limited omniscient narrator
Focuses on limited characters throughout the story, usually only the main character; a narrator that is godlike and all-knowing to a few characters.
Stream of consciousness technique
Emphasizes what the character is thinking; mimics thoughts
Objective POV
Narrator tells a story with only actions, events, and character’s experience, and no internal thoughts
First-person narrator
A story told directly from the character’s perspective; uses I, me, we
Unreliable narrator
A narrator with an unreliable perspective
Naive narrator
A narrator that does not fully understand what is happening
Style
The manner in which the author presents the writing
Diction
The type of words the author uses to evoke emotion
Tone
Overall emotion of the story; attitude of the writer/author towards the events of the story
Irony
Situation and/or words presented contrary to reality in the context of the story
Verbal irony
A phrase said one way having a different meaning
Sarcasm
Verbal irony used in an antagonistic way; the tone is obvious
Situational irony
Events happening against expectation
Dramatic irony
Understanding a story or event from an outside perspective different from the character
Satire
Criticism via mockery
Theme
Overarching concepts the story meaningfully interacts with; main concept or idea being explored
Symbol
Objects or idea that represents a deeper meaning in a story (Symbolism: something more than literal)
Conventional symbol
Objects or idea that represents a deeper meaning within society
Literary symbol
Objects or ideas that represent a deeper meaning within the story’s context or the literature’s
Allegory
Event, object, or person that has direct meaning to the story; single, fixed meaning
Characterization
Making a fictional character into reality in descriptive details and character traits
Show & Telling Methods
Showing or telling, a method authors use to introduce characters and then describe them; showing: through actions & telling: through descriptions
Motivation
The motive and reasoning behind a character’s actions
Plausible
Cause and reasoning; validation to action; accepts as something is possible
Consistent
Consistent is used to describe a character’s actions. It is when behavior is compatible with the characters’ temperament. The characters’ motivated and plausible actions should be compatible.
In literature, the term “consistent” generally refers to the quality of maintaining a uniform and coherent tone, style, or theme throughout a work. When a literary work is described as consistent, it implies that there is a harmonious and steady flow of elements, such as language, characterization, and narrative, without significant contradictions or abrupt shifts. Consistency contributes to the overall cohesiveness of the piece, enhancing the reader’s experience and understanding of the author’s intended message or aesthetic.
Anti-hero
A modern character with the inability to have control over future events
Dynamic
Character development stemming of core events; dynamic character changes
Static
A stagnant character, no development throughout the story; static characters do not
Foil character
A character that sheds lights towards a character’s opposing traits; a minor character that reveals things about a character through a contrast
Stock characters
A stereotypical group of characters generalized as a whole
Round characters
A character that arises question within the reader though complexities
Plot
The structure of order of events of a story
In medias res
When a story begins in the middle of the narration
Flashback
A glimpse of the past to provide context to a current event
Character
A person that plays a role in a story; person, place, or thing with human qualities
Exposition
A necessary context to understand a story; background information
Rising action
Plot points that lead to a climax
Conflict
The main driver of a plot
Foreshadowing
Subtle hints for the future
Protagonist
The main character
Hero/heroine
A protagonist with heroic traits
Antagonist
A major character or force that goes against the main character
Suspense
Elements that create anxiety
Climax
The crux of the plot
Resolution
The end of a conflict
Dénouement
Untying of the knot
