Narrative Vocab 1

Question 1

Paratext

Answer 1

The way the narrative is presented. E.X. Hardcover book, message in a bottle, etc.

Question 2

Narrative

Answer 2

A sequence of events, a plot with some kind of “point.”

Question 3

Tone

Answer 3

The authors attitude toward the narrative.

Question 4

Mood

Answer 4

The feeling the reader takes away after reading the narrative.

Question 5

Point

Answer 5

The consequence of the story; the reason the story is told

Question 6

Plot

Answer 6

The connected series of events that make up a story.

Question 7

Character

Answer 7

An agent of the story who has a discernible personality.

Question 8

Characterization

Answer 8

The process by which traits are assigned to characters.

Question 9

Direct Characterization

Answer 9

When other characters or narrators give us clues about traits of a particular character.

Question 10

Implied characterization

Answer 10

Character traits that can be assigned based on the actions/speeches/thoughts of the character.

Question 11

Major Character

Answer 11

A character who is important to the plot.

Question 12

Minor Character

Answer 12

A character who is not so important to the plot.

Question 13

Setting

Answer 13

The Space in which the story occurs. Consists of the place, backround, objects, and time period.

Question 14

Exposition / Introduction

Answer 14

A literary device that is meant to relay background information about a main character, setting, event or other element of the narrative.

Question 15

Inciting Incident

Answer 15

The kickstarter for the rising action.

Question 16

Rising Action

Answer 16

The section of a story that leads toward its climax. Because of the increased tension as a book’s central conflict (or conflicts) become clear, the rising action is often what keeps you turning the pages.

Question 17

Climax

Answer 17

The turning point, at which the rising action of the play is reversed to falling action.

Question 18

Falling Action/Denouement

Answer 18

The final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are either explained or resolved.

Question 19

Resolution

Answer 19

The conclusion of a story’s plot and is part of a complete conclusion to a story. The resolution occurs at the end of a story following the climax and falling action.

Question 20

Conflict

Answer 20

A literary element that involves a struggle between two opposing forces.

Question 21

Internal Conflict

Answer 21

When a character struggles with their own opposing desires or beliefs.

Question 22

External Conflict

Answer 22

When a character is set against something or someone beyond their control.

Question 23

Narrator

Answer 23

The agent who communicates by “telling” or “showing” the story. Can be considered a character.

Question 24

Point of View (P.O.V.)

Answer 24

The perspective from which the narrator conveys the story to the reader.

Question 25

1st Person P.O.V.

Answer 25

The narrator is a character who provides narration through the pronouns “I/me/we”. We can only know the narrator’s thoughts and feelings and can only infer information about other characters through the narrator.

Question 26

2nd Person P.O.V.

Answer 26

Narration described with the pronouns “you/your”. Used in Dungeons & Dragons, Choose Your Own Adventure stories, as well as other fiction, to make the reader a character in the story.

Question 27

3rd Person P.O.V.

Answer 27

Narrator exists outside the events of the story, and relates the actions of the characters by referring to their names or by the third-person pronouns he, she, or they.

Question 28

Limited 3rd Person P.O.V.

Answer 28

Uses 3rd person pronouns (he/she/they). Has exactly the same essential limitations as 1st POV: that nothing can be seen, known, or told except what the narrator sees, knows and tells about a focus character and those around them. Narrator may be considered a character and provide commentary/opinions on events in the tale.

Question 29

Omniscient/Involved Narrator

Answer 29

3rd person narration where all information is accessible to the narrator and is not restricted to a single character. Omniscient narrator may be considered a character and may provide commentary/opinions on matters in the tale.

Question 30

Detached Narrator

Answer 30

3rd person narration where the narration provides no commentary/opinions and just presents what the camera/fly sees in the story (camera/fly since neither can provide commentary/opinions). May be considered a character, but more difficult to interpret. Of Mice & Men has a detached narrator.

Question 31

Actual Author

Answer 31

Information about the actual author that can only be gleaned from primary sources (i.e. straight from the horse’s mouth).

Question 32

Implied Author

Answer 32

Information about the actual author that readers are only able to infer from their works. (ex: This guy writes a lot about Nazis; he either is a serious WWII enthusiast, or he must be a Nazi)