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Literary TermsLiterary Terms

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ProtagonistProtagonist

The hero or central character of a story.

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AntagonistAntagonist

A person or force which opposes the protagonist

Subordinate CharactersSubordinate Characters

Less important characters

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PLOTPLOT

A series of related events, each event connected to the next, like links in a chain.

Direct CharacterizationDirect Characterization

Directly telling you about the character’s personality.

“He was a tall, lean, dark-haired young man in a pullover sweater, who looked as though he had played not football, probably, but basketball in college.”

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Indirect CharacterizationIndirect Characterization Revealing

personality traits through the character’s thoughts, words, and actions, as well as through other characters' comments.

In this excerpt the author uses indirect characterization to show one character’s kindness:

“…when people ventured timidly into his office, it took only a few words from him to make them relax, and even laugh.”

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Character TypesCharacter TypesFlat Character-a character who has only

one or two key personality traits.

Round Character-a character who has many personality traits.

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Character Types (cont.)Character Types (cont.)

Static Character-a character who does not change throughout the story.

Dynamic Character-is changed by story events.

Stock character-a one-sided character whom we think of as a “type”-for example, the absent minded professor.

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PLOTPLOT

ExpositionRising ActionClimaxFalling ActionDenouement / Resolution

FIVE PARTS OF PLOT

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PLOTPLOT

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Denouement

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ExpositionExposition

Sets up the story and introduces the characters, conflict, and setting.

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Rising ActionRising Action

The events that build from the conflict.

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ClimaxClimax

High point of the story and the point at which the outcome can be predicted.

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Falling ActionFalling Action

Events after the climax, which close the story and lead to the resolution.

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Denouement (Resolution)Denouement (Resolution)

The very end of the story, when the loose ends of the plot are tied up.

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ImageryImagery

Language that evokes one or all of the five senses: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching.

FlashbackFlashback

A writer uses flashback to relate or describe an event from the past.

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ToneTone

Attitude a writer takes toward his or her characters and life in general:

Playful, sarcastic, affectionate, or full of remorse

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TONE TONE

Notice the change in tone:

“An odor filled the room.”

“A stink filled the room.”

Open pg 569 in your Writing and Grammar book. Which words have a more negative connotation.

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MOODMOOD

Atmosphere or feeling created in a piece of writing

Scary, romantic, depressing, comic, mysterious, etc.

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MOODMOOD

Affected by word choice, events in plot, characters, setting, and theme.

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ForeshadowingForeshadowing

Use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later.

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ConflictConflict

Struggle found in fictionInternal or External

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External ConflictExternal Conflict

Man vs. ManMan vs. NatureMan vs. FateMan vs. Society

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Internal ConflictInternal Conflict

An emotional conflict within a character

Examples of conflict in Examples of conflict in HolesHoles

Man vs nature-Stanley vs. harsh conditions of Camp Green lake

Man vs. society-Stanley vs. the society of Camp Greenlake

Man vs. Society-Kate Barlow and Sam vs. racist society

Man vs. man-Stanley vs. the Warden

Man vs. fate-Stanley vs. the curse placed on his family

Internal conflict-Stanley has to deal with his insecurities.

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IronyIrony

Implied discrepancy between what is said and what is meant

Three Kinds of Irony– Verbal irony– Dramatic irony– Irony of situation

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Verbal IronyVerbal Irony

Author says one thing and means something else.

Antony says Brutus is “an honorable man” but doesn’t really believe so. Antony’s intent is to stir up the crowd to mutiny against Brutus.

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Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony

Audience knows something that a character in the literature does not know.

In the film Mean Girls, the audience knows that Cady is spying on Regina and is plotting to destroy Regina’s reputation.

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Irony of SituationIrony of Situation

When what is expected does not occur.

In the resolution of “Contents of a Dead Man’s Pocket”, the paper flies out the window and Tom leaves it. This is unexpected.

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Author’s PurposeAuthor’s Purpose

Why the writer is writing the piece.

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Point of View (P.O.V.)Point of View (P.O.V.)

The perspective from which the action in a story is viewed.

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Example: Example:

An automobile accident occurs. Two drivers are involved. Witnesses include four sidewalk spectators, a policeman, a man with a video camera who happened to be shooting the scene, and the pilot of a helicopter that was flying overhead. Here we have nine different points of view and, most likely, nine different descriptions of the accident

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First Person POVFirst Person POV     

The narrator does participate in the action of the story.

We should question the trustworthiness of the storytelling because the narrator also has reasons for doing or saying what they do.

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Third Person POVThird Person POV

        The narrator does not participate in the action of the story as one of the characters.

 Lets us know exactly how the characters feel.

    We learn about the characters through this outside voice.

omniscient or limited omniscient

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OmniscientOmniscient

A narrator who knows everything about all the characters is all knowing.

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Limited Omniscient POVLimited Omniscient POV

A narrator whose knowledge is limited to one character, either major or minor.

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ThemeTheme

The general idea or insight about life.

“I think the author wants me to understand….”

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AllusionAllusion

A reference to a person, event, or place, or to a work of art.

Examples: bible, fiction, nonfiction, paintings, etc.

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Allusion Example:Allusion Example:

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

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PLOT- PLOT- There are 5 parts of plotThere are 5 parts of plot

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Denouement / Resolution

Title: