Alternate Readings Novel Unit Test
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23 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Characterization | The methods a writer uses to communicate information about characters to readers |
| Climax | The moment when the action comes to its highest point of dramatic conflict. |
| Conflict | The central source of tension and drama in the story |
| Dialogue | The actual words that characters speak |
| Dramatic irony | A technique that increases suspense by letting readers know more about the dramatic situation that the characters know |
| Exposition | Background material about the characters, setting, and dramatic situation with which the author introduces the essentials of the story to the reader |
| Falling Action | The part of the story, following the climax and leading to the resolution, in which there is a sharp decline in dramatic tension |
| foreshadowing | A writing technique that gives readers clues about events that will happen later in the story. |
| Imagery | The use of selected details to describe one thing in terms of another. |
| Irony | A particular tone created when the speaker intends a meaning that is opposite to the words he or she says |
| flashback | a dramatic scene that is presented out of chronological plot sequence |
| foil | a character that serves as a contrast to another |
| In media res | A latin term meaning "in the midst of things" that describes a plot that starts at a moment of high action in the middle of the stor and provides the reader with necessary background information later on |
| plot | the arrangement of story events that defines a novel's structure |
| subplot | a secondary storyline involving secondary characters that parallels or contrasts with the main plot involving the central characters |
| point of view | the perspective from which a story is told |
| resolution | the conclusion of the story |
| rising action | the part of the story, including exposition, in which the tension rises |
| setting | the environment in which the story takes place |
| suspense | techniques used by the author to keep readers interested in the story |
| symbol | an image, object, character, or action that stands for an idea beyond its literal meaning |
| theme | the story's main ideas, the message that the author intends to communicate by telling the story |
| tone | the clues in a story that suggest the writer's own attitude toward the elements of his or her story |
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