Structural Terms/Techniques Flashcards
Dialogue
Conversation between two or more charachters
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. E.g. “they will laugh”
Narrator
The person who tells the story
Past Tense
A verb that describes t happened in the past. E.g. “they laughed”
Point of View
The way a character regards events or people
Sequence
The order in which things happen
Setting
Where the events take place
Structure
The organisation of a text
Present tense
A verb that describes something that is happening nom. E.g. “they laugh” or “they are laughing”
Narrative
A written story or account
Narrative voice
The person telling the story from their point of view
Perspective
A particular view of something
Structural feature
A feature that helps to,structure a text
Empathize
To understand and share someone else’s feelings
Narrow Focus
The writer focuses in on a specific (often small details)section of the text.
Wider Perspective/Focus
Often deals with bigger details/setting/more characters etc.
Switch Focus
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.
Cyclical (circular) Structure
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.
Climax
The most exciting part of the story
Anti-Climax
A disappointing point of the story which was not as exciting as you hoped
Rising Action
Where the tension/excitement of the story is building towards a climax
Falling Action
Where the excitement in a story starts to fall away. Often found after a climax or anti-climax.
Contrast
Difference between things
First Person Perspective
The point of view of a character involved in the story using “i”
Pace
The speed of which something happens
Symbolism
The use of symbols to represent something else
Third person Perspective
The point of view f someone not involved in the action of the story using “he”, “she” or “they”.
Opening- Dialogue:
Characters are speaking as the narrative begins
What is the effect?
The reader is thrown straight in, without orientation or warning
Opening- Description:
Sets the scene or describes a character
What is the effect?
Establishes mood and atmosphere and creates a visual picture for the reader
Opening- Character:
Introduces a character’s thoughts
What is the effect?
Gives the reader someone to empathise with or imagine straightaway
Opening- Mystery:
An intriguing event or question is set up
What is the effect?
Pulls the reader in by making them want to know what happens next
Opening- Thematic Statement:
Indicates what ideas or themes will be significant
What is the effect?
Lets the reader know that the detail to follow fits into a wider context
Opening- Action:
A physical description of something happening
What is the effect?
Can create a sense of immediate danger and throw the reader into the middle of an event
