Narrative Terminology in the Horror Genre

Question 1

Horror is a genre of fiction in which the goal is to make the reader feel…

Answer 1

Scared

Question 2

Characters

Answer 2

Who is involved in the story. Never introduce a character without a plan to have them make an impact on the story.

Question 3

Setting

Answer 3

When and where the story takes place

Question 4

Plot

Answer 4

The storyline itself

Question 5

What are the 5 main parts of a plotline?

Answer 5

Exposition, Rising action, Climax, falling action, resolution

Question 6

Exposition

Answer 6

Introduces the characters and setting, and gets the reader interested in the story. Also serves to provide necessary background for the story.

Question 7

Rising action

Answer 7

Conflict is introduced and tension/ suspense builds

Question 8

Climax

Answer 8

The turning point of the story. The conflict comes to a breaking point

Question 9

Falling action

Answer 9

The results of the climax

Question 10

Resolution

Answer 10

The story comes to a reasonable ending, and the loose ends are tied up

Question 11

Theme

Answer 11

the main takeaway or lesson of the story, for example, friendship, love, family, trust, etc.

Question 12

Point of view

Answer 12

the point of view that the story is being told from

Question 13

1st person

Answer 13

“I” am telling the story. The narrator is in the story as a character telling the story.

Question 14

2nd person

Answer 14

“You” are the main character in the story. Good for horror because it makes the story more personal and builds tension.

Question 15

3rd person

Answer 15

The story is told about he she they from the point of view of a narrator outside the story.

Question 16

Protagonist

Answer 16

The main character, usually the hero

Question 17

Antagonist

Answer 17

The person or thing that opposes the protagonist, usually the villain.

Question 18

Conflict

Answer 18

The struggle or opposition that drives the story

Question 19

Classifications of conflict

Answer 19

man vs man
man vs self
man vs nature
man vs society
man vs technology
man vs fate/ the supernatural

Question 20

suspense

Answer 20

the intense feeling an audience goes through while waiting for what happens next

Question 21

foreshadowing

Answer 21

when a writer gives a hint to the reader about upcoming events

Question 22

Mood:

Answer 22

the atmosphere of a text. Another way to describe mood is as the feeling, “vibes”, or emotion a story stirs up in the reader

Question 23

Sensory language

Answer 23

having to do with the five senses (sound, sight, smell, taste, touch)

Question 24

Figurative language-

Answer 24

language that says one thing but means another (ie, metaphors, similies, etc), usually intended to give the reader a clearer image or
more intense experience

Question 25

Dialogue-

Answer 25

the characters talking to one another throughout the text

Question 26

Hyperbole-

Answer 26

Extreme exaggeration.

Ex: “As fast as a cheetah”

Question 27

Imagery-

Answer 27

The use of words to create a picture.

Ex: The sunset was the most gorgeous they’d ever seen; the clouds were edged with pink and gold.

Question 28

Onomatopoeia-

Answer 28

A word that represents and sounds like a sound.

Ex: Boom, crack, smack

Question 29

Personification-

Answer 29

Giving human traits to non-living objects.

Ex: “The wind howled through the trees”

Question 30

Symbolism-

Answer 30

when one thing represents another

Ex: A heart represents love

Question 31

Tone

Answer 31

The author’s attitude toward what they are writing about,

EX: bitter, sarcastic, hopeful, etc