Structural Terms/Techniques

Question 1

Dialogue

Answer 1

Conversation between two or more charachters

Question 2

Flashback

Answer 2

A section in a text that is set before the events of the main story

Question 3

Future Tense

Answer 3

A verb that describes something that will happen. E.g. “they will laugh”

Question 4

Narrator

Answer 4

The person who tells the story

Question 5

Past Tense

Answer 5

A verb that describes t happened in the past. E.g. “they laughed”

Question 6

Point of View

Answer 6

The way a character regards events or people

Question 7

Sequence

Answer 7

The order in which things happen

Question 8

Setting

Answer 8

Where the events take place

Question 9

Structure

Answer 9

The organisation of a text

Question 10

Present tense

Answer 10

A verb that describes something that is happening nom. E.g. “they laugh” or “they are laughing”

Question 11

Narrative

Answer 11

A written story or account

Question 12

Narrative voice

Answer 12

The person telling the story from their point of view

Question 13

Perspective

Answer 13

A particular view of something

Question 14

Structural feature

Answer 14

A feature that helps to,structure a text

Question 15

Empathize

Answer 15

To understand and share someone else’s feelings

Question 16

Narrow Focus

Answer 16

The writer focuses in on a specific (often small details)section of the text.

Question 17

Wider Perspective/Focus

Answer 17

Often deals with bigger details/setting/more characters etc.

Question 18

Switch Focus

Answer 18

When the writer changes the focus from one character to another, one setting to another and what a character is thinking to what he/she is doing.

Question 19

Cyclical (circular) Structure

Answer 19

Where a story ends in a similar way to how it begins. This could be through setting, action, characters, language choice, atmosphere or focus etc.

Question 20

Climax

Answer 20

The most exciting part of the story

Question 21

Anti-Climax

Answer 21

A disappointing point of the story which was not as exciting as you hoped

Question 22

Rising Action

Answer 22

Where the tension/excitement of the story is building towards a climax

Question 23

Falling Action

Answer 23

Where the excitement in a story starts to fall away. Often found after a climax or anti-climax.

Question 24

Contrast

Answer 24

Difference between things

Question 25

First Person Perspective

Answer 25

The point of view of a character involved in the story using “i”

Question 26

Pace

Answer 26

The speed of which something happens

Question 27

Symbolism

Answer 27

The use of symbols to represent something else

Question 28

Third person Perspective

Answer 28

The point of view f someone not involved in the action of the story using “he”, “she” or “they”.

Question 29

Opening- Dialogue:
Characters are speaking as the narrative begins

What is the effect?

Answer 29

The reader is thrown straight in, without orientation or warning

Question 30

Opening- Description:
Sets the scene or describes a character

What is the effect?

Answer 30

Establishes mood and atmosphere and creates a visual picture for the reader

Question 31

Opening- Character:
Introduces a character’s thoughts

What is the effect?

Answer 31

Gives the reader someone to empathise with or imagine straightaway

Question 32

Opening- Mystery:
An intriguing event or question is set up

What is the effect?

Answer 32

Pulls the reader in by making them want to know what happens next

Question 33

Opening- Thematic Statement:
Indicates what ideas or themes will be significant

What is the effect?

Answer 33

Lets the reader know that the detail to follow fits into a wider context

Question 34

Opening- Action:
A physical description of something happening

What is the effect?

Answer 34

Can create a sense of immediate danger and throw the reader into the middle of an event