Structural Key Terms/features Flashcards
Dialogue
Conversation between two or more characters
Flashback
A section in a text that is set before the events of the main story
Future tense
A verb that describes something that will happen in the future eg ‘they will laugh’
Narrator
The person who tells the story
Past tense
A verb that describes something that happened in the past, eg. ‘They laughed’
Point of view
The way a character regards events or people
Present tense
A verb that describes something that is happening now ‘they laugh’ or ‘they are laughing’
Sequence
The order in which things happen
Setting
Where the events are taking place
Structure
The organisation of text
Narrative
A written story or account
Perspective
A particular view of school
Narrative voice
The person telling the story from their point of view
Structural features
A feature that helps to structure a text
First person perspective
The point of view of a character involved in the action of a story
Pace
The speed at which something happens
Symbolism
The use of symbols to represent something else
Opening
Dialogue: starts with speaking as the narrative begins
Effect
The reader is thrown straight in without orientation or warning
Opening
Description: sets the scene or describe a character
Effect
Establishes a mood and atmosphere, and creates a visual picture
Opening
Character: introduces a characters thoughts
Effect
Gives the reader someone to empathise with or imagine straightaway
Opening
Mystery: an intriguing event or question is set up
Effect
Pulls the reader in by making them want to know what happens next
Opening
Thematic statement: indicates what ideas and themes will be significant
Effect
Lets the reader know that the detail to follow fits into a wider context
Opening
Action: a physical description of something happening
Effect
Can create a sense of immediate danger and throw the reader into the middle of an event.
