Literary Terms

I. Definitions
A. Setting
1. 2. 3. 4. when and where the story takes place. Time the year, decade, or century in which the story's action occurs. Place the location, both generally and specifically, of the events occurring. Atmosphere the prevailing mood present in the story. Time Span actual length of time that passes during the action of the story.

B. Character person the author has created to act, to speak, and to represent the significance of what is narrated.
1. Character is revealed by:
a. What he says b. What he does c. What others say about him

2. Types of Characters:
a. Primary Main characters vital to the story and playing a major role in story development. b. Secondary Support characters necessary to the story but not of central importance. c. Minor Characters used to fill the story in, playing only the smallest of roles in the story.

3. Functions of Characters:
a. Protagonist Central figure in the story; story revolves around him; it is his story. b. Antagonist Character who opposes the protagonist and establishes the story's central conflict. c. Foil Character who serves as a vivid contrast to the protagonist to give the reader insight; usually a secondary character, not included in all stories. d. Stereotype Character that is one-dimensional and does not have a complex, everchanging life as real people do

C. Conflict struggle between two forces in a story, such as one man against another, a
man against all of society, or a man struggling with his own feelings or beliefs. 1. Conflict in a story must be important. 2. Conflict may alter the main characters opinions. 3. Opposing forces should be somewhat equal in strength so the story's outcome remains in doubt.

D. Plot

- series of events, related by cause and effect, which lead in a definite and logical outcome. 1. Exposition introduction of the main situation, setting, characters, and conflict. 2. Rising Action complication of plot as conflict develops and heightens. 3. Climax the point to which the conflict is reaching. Turning point at which the action reaches its peak and moves towards a solution 4. Falling Action winding down of conflict after the climax. 5. Denouement resolution of the conflict and story.

E. Theme

total meaning of the story, the author's main point. What the story is about, what it signifies.

To determine the theme of a story: 1. Examine the subject of the story. 2. Look at the portrayal of characters how are they representative of real-life people? 3. Look at the character's situation what is the similarity to real life? 4. Examine how characters react to each other and to certain situations and what happens to them as a result

F. Style

the particular way in which the author uses words. 1. Sentence Structure length & complexity of sentences. 2. Vocabulary the words chosen by the author. 3. Tone attitude or feeling conveyed by author's word choice. 4. Uniqueness other devices which make the story unusual or different. 5. Figurative Language expressions which go beyond literal meaning. a. Metaphor indirect comparison of two things without the use of like or as. (Bob is a snake in the grass.) b. Simile direct comparison of two things using like or as. (Bob is as sly as a fox.) c. Allusion any reference to a historic, biblical, literary, or mythical person, place or thing. d. Irony contrast between what appears to be true and what actually is true. 1) Situational irony an unexpected turn of events that results in an outcome the opposite of what is expected by both the characters and reader. 2. Dramatic irony a situation where the reader is aware of a turn of events affecting the story's outcome, but the characters are not. Things are not as the characters think they are, and the reader knows it. 3. Verbal irony a character saying the opposite of what he actually means. e. Satire ridiculing or making fun of something to point out weakness, suggest the need for change, or make some other serious point. f. Plot-unifying devices 1. Flashback an abrupt change in time to introduce information about the past relevant to the present. 2. Foreshadowing hinting what is to come through dialogue, action, or symbols.

G. Point of View the choice of narrator and the position of the narrator an author
takes in presenting a story. Point of view answers the questions Who is speaking, how much does the narrator know and where is the narrator in relationship to the action of the story? It indicates through whose eyes the reader sees what happens. l. Choice of Narrator: a. First Person (Narrator uses I) the story is told by a primary or secondary character or an observer who is an eyewitness to the action in the story. A person in the story is telling the reader about the events and the people . b. Third Person (Narrator uses he, she, they) the story is told by a narrator who is not a character or part of the action taking place. 2 Position of Narrator: a. Omniscient Narrator is all knowing and allows the reader access to the minds of all the important characters. Narrator is god-like (all knowing) and can go back and forth in time. Narrator analyzes and summarizes and provides an overview of the scene when necessary. Narrator is not a character in the action of the story. b. Limited Omniscient - Narrator is all knowing but allows the reader has access to the minds of some but not all of the characters in the story. The narrator analyzes,

summarizes, and can go back and forth in time and place. Narrator is not a character in the action of the story. c. Central story is told from the viewpoint of only one primary character. Narrator is a character in the action of the story. d. Peripheral story is told from the viewpoint of a secondary character. Narrator is a character in the action of the story who is "on the edge" of the action. This viewpoint is useful when including attitudes, interpretations, and irony which may not be suitable if attached to a primary character. It is also suitable if an author wants to use a naive character who is unaware of the implications of what he or she is saying. e. Objective The Narrator gives all information through dialogue and action. This is the most realistic point of view, most closely resembles day-to-day living. The reader is not allowed to get inside the minds of the characters. Narrator is not a character in the action of the story.

H. Structure the way the story is constructed as a unit.

II. Diagrams
A. Dramatic Structure

Climax Rising Action Falling Action Denouement

Exposition

B. Point of View
Narrator = N Mind of Secondary Character= Mind of Primary Character= Storys Action=

1. Omniscient N

2. Limited Omniscient N

3. Central
N

4. Peripheral

4. Objective N