Narrative Terminology in the Horror Genre Flashcards
Horror is a genre of fiction in which the goal is to make the reader feel…
Scared
Characters
Who is involved in the story. Never introduce a character without a plan to have them make an impact on the story.
Setting
When and where the story takes place
Plot
The storyline itself
What are the 5 main parts of a plotline?
Exposition, Rising action, Climax, falling action, resolution
Exposition
Introduces the characters and setting, and gets the reader interested in the story. Also serves to provide necessary background for the story.
Rising action
Conflict is introduced and tension/ suspense builds
Climax
The turning point of the story. The conflict comes to a breaking point
Falling action
The results of the climax
Resolution
The story comes to a reasonable ending, and the loose ends are tied up
Theme
the main takeaway or lesson of the story, for example, friendship, love, family, trust, etc.
Point of view
the point of view that the story is being told from
1st person
“I” am telling the story. The narrator is in the story as a character telling the story.
2nd person
“You” are the main character in the story. Good for horror because it makes the story more personal and builds tension.
3rd person
The story is told about he she they from the point of view of a narrator outside the story.
Protagonist
The main character, usually the hero
Antagonist
The person or thing that opposes the protagonist, usually the villain.
Conflict
The struggle or opposition that drives the story
Classifications of conflict
man vs man man vs self man vs nature man vs society man vs technology man vs fate/ the supernatural
suspense
the intense feeling an audience goes through while waiting for what happens next
foreshadowing
when a writer gives a hint to the reader about upcoming events
Mood:
the atmosphere of a text. Another way to describe mood is as the feeling, “vibes”, or emotion a story stirs up in the reader
Sensory language
having to do with the five senses (sound, sight, smell, taste, touch)
Figurative language-
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
Dialogue-
the characters talking to one another throughout the text
Hyperbole-
Extreme exaggeration.
Ex: “As fast as a cheetah”
Imagery-
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.
Onomatopoeia-
A word that represents and sounds like a sound.
Ex: Boom, crack, smack
Personification-
Giving human traits to non-living objects.
Ex: “The wind howled through the trees”
Symbolism-
when one thing represents another
Ex: A heart represents love
Tone
The author’s attitude toward what they are writing about,
EX: bitter, sarcastic, hopeful, etc
