Vocab words Flashcards
Paratext
The physical aspects of how the narrative is delivered. The paratext influences how we enjoy a narrative and helps us to distinguish fiction from reality.
Narrative
Presents a unified sequence of events that add up to something, a plot with some kind of “point”.
Tone
The author’s attitude towards a literary work
Mood
The feeling the readers take away after reading a piece of literature. Can usually be summed up with one word.
Point
The consequence of the story, the reason it gets told. Point is not the same thing as the theme. Point concerns only the fiction while the theme goes beyond the fiction implying something about the real world
Plot
The consequence of the story, the reason it gets told. Point is not the same thing as the theme. Point concerns only the fiction while the theme goes beyond the fiction implying something about the real world
Character
An agent who has one or more discernible traits, or qualities of personality
Characterization
The process by which traits are assigned to characters.
Direct Characterization
When other characters or narrators give us clues about traits of a particular character.
Implied Characterization
Character traits that can be assigned based on the actions/speeches/thoughts of the character.
Major/Minor Character
You can distinguish between the two depending on their importance to the plot. Major=important Minor=not so important.
Setting
The space in which story events occur. Setting consists of background and “props”.
Exposition/Introduction
a literary device that is meant to relay background information about a main character, setting, event or other element of the narrative.
Inciting Incident
The first action that sets off all the other actions to rise in the “rising action”.
Rising action
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.
Climax
Decisive moment, or turning point, at which the rising action of the play is reversed to falling action. It may or may not coincide with the highest point of interest in the drama.
Falling Action/Denouement
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.
Resolution
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. In some stories, climax and resolution occur simultaneously but in that case are simply co-occurring points in the plot.
Conflict
A literary element that involves a struggle between two opposing forces. (Mom made me late to cheer practice and I haven’t mastered the routine yet; George and Lenney cannot accomplish their dream of buying their own property because they are poor)
Internal Conflict
When a character struggles with their own opposing desires or beliefs.
External Conflict
When a character is set against something or someone beyond their control.
